New Vegan...Need Help!!

[ThisChikMom]

Hi everyone!

My name is Andrea, and about 3 weeks ago my husband and I, along with our two daugters age 22 months and 9 months, switched to a vegan diet. So far it's going really well, and my 22 month old is adjusting nicely. The problem is that she has developed dark circles under her eyes, which indicates to me that she may be lacking something. I'm pretty sure she's getting enough protien (she's 24 lbs, and gets at least 15-20 grams of protien each day) from sprouted grain bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, legumes and nuts. She hasn't taken very well to eating a lot of vegetables, but then she never did on a meat and dairy diet either. She really ate very little meat before, but she did eat a LOT of cheese and drank several glasses of milk each day. So what could be causing these dark circles?? I don't want to ask her pedi, because the one I have now isn't real supportive of a vegan diet. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Andrea

Kendall
Caroline

[Erin Pavlina]

Get the book "Becoming Vegan" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina. That will help answer tons of nutrition questions.

It could be any number of nutrients. Make sure you guys have a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin B12, zinc, calcium, etc.

My book will also have some tips to help you with the transition. Click on this link for details (http://www.vegfamily.com/raising-vegan-children/index.php?src=forums)

Could be an allergy to something, maybe soy. What sort of beverages are you guys drinking?

[ThisChikMom]

Thanks for the book recommendation. Kendall drinks only water and fresh fruit and carrot juice that I make (mostly apple). She also drinks a little rice milk, but usually just when I mix it with fruit as a smoothie. We don't use soy products, because although I haven't done a TON of research on soy myself, I have heard some negative things about the "estrogen-like" isoflavones in soy and the possible negative effects on girls, and the concern about Round-up on the soy crops. I don't know if those things are entirely true (because I'm still kinda new at this!), but I know that soy isn't necessary for proper protein intake, so we just stay away from it anyway. Thanks for your help! I will try to see if I can pin-point an allergy and look into the books you suggested.

Andrea

[lunamama3]

hi there...

congratulations on switching over! it can be rough (we're still being challenged here 3 1/2 years later), but i've found that it's definitely well worth it. :)

anyhow, about the dark circles...i've noticed a correlation with this symptom to food sensitivity in my children. my two older kids both get nasty looking rings under their eyes when we overdo wheat (which we tend to do since it's so yummy!) there are lots of other signs you could look for too...we've noticed eczema with some foods for my son (citrus, sesame, and dairy), behavior problems with others (food coloring, preservatives, artificial flavors, refined sugars, you know...all that fake food stuff that we try to avoid at all costs), and as a general mystery response to some kind of overdone food my kids get a tell-tale red circle rash around their anus - sorry ahead of time for potentially grossing you out - i've read about this in dr. sears books i think and have noticed it since on numerous occasions. also with babies, general diaper rash or foul smelling poop can be a clue.

hope this helps!
love,
lisa

[lunamama3]

the subject line shoulda read *i second the allergy idea*

*sigh*

:rolleyes:

lisa

[ThisChikMom]

Lisa,

That actually helps a lot!! Since last week, I have been mixing flax seed oil with her juice to make sure she is getting enough Omega 3 (as I thought that or the calcium may have been the culprit) and she is now certainly getting enough calcium and has been getting sufficient protien all along. The dark circles are still there, just as dark! BUT, I have been giving her a LOT of whole wheat pasta and bread because she loves it. I should have thought of that sooner, that she may have an allergy to wheat. (Again, I'm still new to all of this!) She has also been having extremely foul smelling diapers, but I thought maybe that was normal with the diet change. I will keep her away from the wheat for about a week and see if there is a change.

Thanks a lot!

Andrea

[VOW]

Talk to your health insurance provider, and seek a family doctor or pediatrician who is a Seventh-Day Adventist. Many SDAs are Vegetarian, a lifestyle which is promoted by their faith.

(and before anyone asks, no, I'm NOT an Adventist, however, I do a LOT of my shopping at the Adventist market across the street from Loma Linda University Medical Center!)

A Vegetarian doctor (or one who is sympathetic to Vegetarianism) will be more open to working with your Vegan diet.



~VOW