Vegetarian diets are a healthy choice for growing kids — though they may slightly raise the odds of youngsters being underweight, a new study suggests.
The study, of nearly 9,000 young children, found that those on vegetarian diets were, on average, of similar weight and height as their peers who ate meat. They were also on par when it came to blood levels of iron and vitamin D — which could potentially be harder to get on a diet free of meat, fish and, sometimes, dairy products.
The one trouble spot was that vegetarian children were twice as likely as other kids to be underweight. However, the vast majority — 94% — were not.
The findings, published online May 2 in the journal Pediatrics, support existing guidelines. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, for example, says that well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for people of all ages, including young children.
But while such diets are considered healthful, relatively few studies have looked at the impact on kids’ growth and nutritional status, says Dr. Jonathon Maguire, the senior researcher on the new work.
Vegetarian diets with appropriate nutrients work well for kids
He called his team’s findings “good news.”
“More and more parents are choosing vegetarian diets for their kids,” says Maguire, a pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital of Unity Health Toronto.
And those parents, more than likely vegetarians themselves, are typically “very thoughtful” about ensuring their kids get the nutrients they need, Maguire shares.
“This study suggests that whatever these parents are doing, it’s working out well,” he adds.
When vegetarian diets are done right, Maguire notes, they are rich in vegetables, fruit, high-fiber grains, beans, and — often — dairy products and eggs. They also typically eschew processed foods high in added sugars and low in nutritional value.
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Managing kids that are underweight
As for the higher likelihood of vegetarian kids being underweight, Maguire says that is something for pediatricians to keep an eye on. Underweight children should have their growth more closely tracked, and their parents may