Vegan Health Tips with Michael Klaper, M.D.

Michael Klaper, M.D. is the author of Pregancy, Children, and the Vegan Diet; one of only a few books that covers vegan pregnancy on the market today. He has postgraduate training in medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, and obstetrics. He continues to educate people on the benefits of a vegan diet.

Disclaimer: The medical opinions stated here are for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.

Question:

How can I ensure an adequate fat intake for my baby? She's 7 months old and we are no longer breastfeeding.

Answer:

If you are purchasing commercial soy-based formula, her fat needs should be generally met. However, if there is an option of purchasing formula that has added DHA (from algal sources), this would be especially healthful. (Algal DHA can be purchased from Martek Corporation as "Neuromins." Unfortunately, it is package in gel caps, but the capsule can be punctured, and the DHA-rich oil squeezed into formula or other beverages, or mixed into dressings, sauces, etc.)

When she is eating solid foods, be sure her diet includes food abundant in beneficial fats, such as mashed avocadoes, and nut and seed butters (especially walnuts and pumpkin seeds). You can purchase these at the natural food store or make your own nut or seed butters in a food processor or kitchen "mini-grinder" utilizing organic walnuts and green, unroasted pumpkin seeds. The nut butters can be mixed into smoothies, spread on bread or celery sticks, etc. If her skin seems the least bit dry, add 1/2 teaspoon of flax seed oil or hemp seed oil to her food daily. Tofu is rich in omega-3-containing soy bean oil, and can be prepared in many ways that children love. Leaving out bowls of "trail mix," rich in walnuts and pumpkins seeds, as well as raisins and other dried fruits, is a good strategy once the children are old enough to be trusted with bite-sized foods, after age 4 to 5.

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