Children not only don't need animal products, they're much better off without them. Children raised as vegans can be protected from this condition. A vegan diet has other benefits, too. E. coli, the deadly bacteria that killed four children and sickened more than 600 people in Washington state in 1993, was traced to tainted meat in a fast food restaurant. Contrary to popular opinion, the real concern about protein is that we will feed our children too much, not too little.
Few parents know that some babies' intestines bleed after drinking cow's milk.
Iron-rich foods such as raisins, almonds, dried apricots, blackstrap molasses and fortified grain cereals will meet the needs of toddlers and children 12 months and older. Drinking cow's milk is one of the least effective ways to strengthen bones. As with iron, vitamin C will help your child's system absorb calcium efficiently. Vitamin D-enriched soy milk provides this nutrient without the added animal fat. Any commercially available multivitamin will assure adequate B-12 for your child.