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:

My 20 month old daughter is a picky eater, but remains an avid breastfeeder. How do I know that she is getting the right nutrition?

Answer:

If your child is growing at an acceptable rate - following a "normal" curve on the growth rate for height and weight on the growth chart at your doctor's office, you can be reasonably assured that she is getting the right nutrition. Undernourished/malnourished children do not grow. All children - including vegans - require vitamin B12 to grow. All parents of all vegan children should be sure that a regular, adequate source of vitamin B12 is included in the child's diet daily through age 5. After that time, a reliable B12 source - sublingual tablets, liquid multivitamin, etc. - can be ingested 3 to 5 times per week and should provide sufficient B12 for normal growth and function.

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