Nutrition for Vegan Families - Vegan diet and plant based nutrition for vegan kids

In today’s episode, we explore practical strategies to help your vegan kids break free from food ruts and overcome picky eating habits. If you’re dealing with fussy eaters at home, this episode is full of actionable tips to help you reduce stress around mealtimes and encourage your kids to enjoy a wider variety of plant-based foods. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Vegan Kids Get Stuck in a Food Rut – We discuss the common reasons behind picky eating and how this can affect your child’s...

The Phytic Acid Myth: Do Vegans Need to Worry About Phytates and Other Anti-Nutrients? In this week's episode I talk about whether vegans really do need to worry about phytates and other anti-nutrients reducing the absorption of iron and zinc on a vegan diet. You'll also find out why phytic acid and other anti-nutrients are actually good for us, and how to balance your vegan diet to make sure you maximise the benefits of phytates, whilst also making sure you and your kids get enough iron ...

Should you be worried that the iron from plant based foods isn't absorbed as well as the iron from red meat? As vegans, we're often told that we should be eating red meat because heme iron is absorbed better than non heme iron. In today's podcast episode, I talk about why the fact that we absorb iron from meat better than vegan foods isn't necessarily a good thing, and can in fact lead to serious health complications. I also explain how dietary guidelines have actually already taken the ...

One of the biggest worries for vegan parents is how to get their vegan kids to eat less vegan processed food, and make sure their kids aren't turning into "junk food vegans". Unfortunately, it is not as easy as simply not giving your kids processed snacks anymore. In today's episode, I give you 5 easy steps that will get your vegan child eating less processed food, and more veggies, fruits, wholegrains and beans. So listen in to learn how you can set your kids up for a lifetime of healthy ...

As vegans, we're often bombarded with concerns about nutrient deficiencies, especially when it comes to vitamin B12. This essential nutrient is vital for our nerves and DNA, yet it's one of the most misunderstood elements of the vegan diet. In today's episode, I'll demystify vitamin B12 for vegans, explaining why it's crucial, particularly for our vegan kids, who don't have the nutrient stores that adults do. We'll explore how even though B12 is associated with animal sources, its o...

Are you confused about how much sugar your vegan kids should be having? With all the conflicting information out there, it can be challenging to know what's best for your family. The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some key things to keep in mind. In this episode, I'll guide you through the sugar spectrum, from the foods you should definitely limit to the ones that can be enjoyed in moderation. I'll also share some practical tips for redu...

Are you struggling to get your kids to eat more vegetables, especially with a vegan or plant-based diet? It can feel like an uphill battle when your little ones push away the healthiest parts of their meals. But what if I told you that you might be worrying too much about how many veggies they eat? In this week’s podcast episode, I'm excited to share some enlightening insights and practical tips that will transform your approach to your kids' diet. Discover why vegan childre...

Do you struggle to get your vegan kids to eat enough beans and legumes, even though you know how nutritious they are? It can be so frustrating when they turn up their noses at these powerhouse foods, leaving you worried about their protein, iron, and fiber intake. But don't worry, I've got you covered! In this episode, I'm sharing my top tips and strategies for getting your vegan children to happily munch on lentils, chickpeas, and other legumes. I'll reveal the two key things to re...

Are you worried about whether your vegan kids are getting all the essential nutrients they need from their plant-based diet? Do you find yourself reaching for children's multivitamins as a safety net, just in case? In this episode, I’ll explain why relying on multivitamins for kids can actually hinder your child's development of healthy eating habits and why these should not be used as a nutritional crutch. Instead, I’ll share practical tips on ensuring your children receive all the...

Keeping up with your vegan kids' nutrition can feel overwhelming, especially during life's more hectic periods. As parents, we all face those times when despite our best intentions, meal planning and healthy eating take a backseat to simply getting through the day. This has been my reality lately, and with all that on my plate, finding the time and energy to ensure my vegan children are eating well has been more challenging than ever. It's easy to fall into the habit of ordering tak...

Are you worried that your vegan diet might not meet your family's iron needs? Let's debunk a common myth together! In this episode, I dive into the topic of vegan iron-rich foods, proving that you don't need red meat to meet your iron requirements. Join me as I share surprising research findings and introduce a list of vegan foods that pack more iron than a steak. From black beans to the mighty cocoa powder, discover how these plant-based alternatives can keep you and your k...

If your doctor has told you that your vegan child has low iron, you might be feeling worried and unsure about what to do next. In this week's episode, I take you through the complexities of low iron levels in vegan children, debunking common myths and offering practical solutions. I dive into the crucial discussion on low iron—why it's a concern, the common yet misguided advice given, and the real issues at play. You’ll gain knowledge on how to accurately diagnose low iron, distinguishi...

Have you ever wondered if your vegan child is getting enough zinc? While zinc doesn't get as much attention as other nutrients, it's incredibly important for growing kids who eat plant-based diets. Today, we dive into why zinc is important, how much your kids need, and easy ways to include it in their meals. With the right knowledge and some simple tips, you can make sure your child's diet is rich in vegan zinc, supporting their growth, learning, and immune system. Vegan foods high in z...

Are you worried your vegan kids aren't getting enough calcium without dairy in their diet? It's a common concern among vegan parents to ensure their children get all the essential nutrients for optimal health. The good news is that there's a variety of ways to include calcium in your child's vegan diet without relying on dairy products. In this episode, I'm going to discuss plant-based calcium for kids. We'll explore why calcium is so important for your little ones, not just for s...

Dealing with a picky eater can make meal times a challenge, especially when you're aiming for a nutritious, vegan diet. And if you're a parent trying to ensure your child gets enough plant-based iron without resorting to supplements, this episode is tailored just for you. Today, we're diving deep into vegan nutrition for kids, focusing on vegan iron-rich foods that even the fussiest eaters can't resist! We'll explore why iron is so important for your vegan child's developmen...

Are you worried your vegan child isn't getting enough iron? The common myth that meat is the only source of iron leaves many parents concerned. In today's episode, I’ll debunk myths about iron intake for vegan kids. Discover why red meat isn't the sole ticket to iron sufficiency and learn about the bounty of plant-based iron sources that can more than meet your child's needs. We'll delve into vegan nutrition essentials, focusing on how to infuse your child's diet with iron-rich fo...

Struggling to ensure your vegan kids are getting enough protein, especially when they're picky eaters? It's a common concern for parents of plant based kids. But what if the secret to nutrition isn't about overhauling their diet, but simply working with their current likes and dislikes? In this episode, I discuss the challenge of packing more plant based protein into the diets of vegan children with limited palates. It's a challenge I've tackled head-on in my own home, and I...

Are you worried your family isn't getting enough protein on a vegan diet? Many parents struggle with the fear that their children might miss out on essential nutrients when they choose a plant-based lifestyle. But what if I told you that there's a simple and delicious way to ensure your family thrives on vegan nutrition? In today's episode, I'm thrilled to share with you the secrets to a protein-packed vegan diet! I'll tackle the common concerns about protein sufficiency h...

Do you worry about how healthy your vegan kids' lunchobx really is? I mean, you pack the healthiest muesli bars you can find, but you do wonder how good they really are... What if there was a way to guarantee your vegan kids' are getting a healthy vegan lunch box every week, packed full of all the good stuff they need? There is! In this week's episode I talk about why making homemade vegan food for your kids' lunch box makes for a healthier and cheaper lunchbox - and one that your chil...

Do you feel like school lunchboxes are taking over your life? They seem to take hours to make every night, and you dream of the day when you can finally get your kids to pack their own? Not to mention the number of late night trips you make to the local supermarket because you ran out of lunchbox food? What if instead your child’s Vegan Lunch Box was the easiest part of your week? What if you always had something healthy on hand (that your vegan children actually love!) and they only to...

One of the main reasons why kids decide they don’t want to be vegan anymore is because they see themselves as different to their peers, and don’t feel like they fit in and that they're missing out. And one of the places they notice this most is at school. Obviously the easiest way around this would be to make sure your kids’ friends are all vegan, but unfortunately that’s not possible for most of us right now. So it’s really important that we make sure that even though our kids are eating di...

How do you make sure you pack a healthy lunchbox for your vegan kids? In this two part series, I teach you the essential nutrients you need to focus on to make sure your kids are getting everything they need to power them through the day at school. In part 2 I talk about how to make sure your kids' lunchboxes are full of the 3 most important nutrients for vegan kids - iron, zinc and calcium. I give you my favourite foods and ingredients to add into their lunchboxes to make sure they're getti...

How do you make sure you pack a healthy lunchbox for your vegan kids? In this two part series, I teach you the essential nutrients you need to focus on to make sure your kids are getting everything they need to power them through the day at school. In part 1 I talk about exactly why it's so important to make sure our vegan kids are getting enough energy or calories from their food, to ensure that they are growing and developing in a healthy way. I also give you my 2 easy strategies to make ...

In today's episode, I answer the biggest question of all - Is a Vegan Diet Actually Healthy for Kids? In addition to this main question, I also talk about some of the myths we're often faced with as vegan parents - you can't get enough protein from a vegan diet, you need red meat for iron, and you can only get calcium from dairy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exciting News! My book Super Boosted Snacks is now available! Packed with over 70 quick, kid-friendly vegan snack recipes, it’s designed to help busy par...

How many times have you signed up a vegan meal plan, and felt like a failure because you just can't make them work? You sign up for a 7 Day Vegan Meal Plan, and last about 2 days, before resorting to take away and letting all that healthy food go bad in your fridge. Well, let me start by saying, it's not you, it's them. The reason why those vegan meal plans didn't work for you is because they weren't written for you and your family. Well in today's podcast, I'm here to ta...

In my first ever podcast episode, I talk about how dropping the perfectionism around our vegan diets actually makes us (and our kids!) healthier eaters in the long run. Where Does the Perfectionism Belief Come From? There is a strong underlying belief in the vegan world that we have to eat perfectly to be healthy. This comes from 2 areas. Firstly, the Meat and Dairy Industry works incredibly hard to spread the belief that we can't get the nutrients we need without meat and dairy.&...