Parents who raise children as vegans should be prosecuted, say Belgian doctors

The telegraph is running this story. Apparently there have been a number of deaths in schools, hospitals and nurseries.

According to the article

The vegan diet could only be made safe for growing children if complemented with medical supervision, regular blood tests and vitamin supplements, which most parents were not qualified to provide.

"This restrictive regime requires ongoing monitoring of children to avoid deficiencies and often irreversible growth delays," the legal opinion said, "It is unsuitable for unborn children, children, teenagers and pregnant and lactating women."

I am surprised that a body like The Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium would publish such an opinion when like any diet it requires balance depending on what stage in the life cycle a child is. Granted it may be more difficult to find the balance with a vegan diet as we have plenty information and experience of meat and dairy based diets and a less for plant based diets.

Clearly the parents mentioned in the article who feed only plant based milk to their baby did not understand the nutritional requirements of their child. Together with what ever other cases have occurred caused Belgium child protective services to seek a legal opinion from the Royal academy of Medicine.

In between the sensationalist reporting and hyperbole, I am reading babies, children and adolescent require specific nutrients at different stages of their development and without them their development will be affected and in very extreme cases cause death, so the Belgium medical academy based on their experience recommend medical supervision for children who are on a vegan diet. However without knowing the number of deaths and complications it is not possible to say if this is an over-reaction of not.

However what annoys me most is the reaction of Dawn Carr, of PETA,(their director of vegan corporate projects) who said, "What a load of ignorant codswallop!" She is just brushing aside the concerns of these people. she goes on to say.

NHS nutritionists confirm that while a meat- and dairy-based diet is what strikes people down in adulthood – as it can lead to hardened arteries that cause stroke, brain aneurysms, and heart attacks

Firstly unless these belgium children died from some form of arterial damage why does she bring it up. Not only that, it is incorrect to say meat and dairy cause these conditions when there are so many other factors that are contributory. But the worst sin for me is the inference that vegans so not suffer from the above just because they eliminate meat and dairy from their diets. Why the dishonesty?

If meat and dairy is what strikes people down in adulthood why do the NHS recommend its daily consumption in the recommended food groups and diets. Maybe its because there is more to a healthy heart and blood vessels that just food. Vegans with Diabetes, vegans who are overweight, vegans who smoke, vegans who have high blood pressure, vegens who do not exercise are all at risk of being struck down in adulthood with "hardened arteries that cause stroke, brain aneurysms, and heart attacks"

I cannot find any NHS nutritionist confirm that it is meat and dairy are that strike people down in adulthood.

a well-planned vegan diet is perfect for babies and children.

"Kids, including my own, thrive on a balanced vegan diet, but as with any dietary regime, it's the parent's responsibility to ensure their child is getting all the necessary nutrients. And yes, that's easier to achieve on a vibrant vegan diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and pulses."

Even the NHS who include vegetarian and vegan advice advise in the "vegetarian and vegan babies and children" is

But they might need specific supplements (such as vitamin B12) in addition to the usual vitamin supplements recommended for all babies. Talk to a health professional for advice.

Is it not just as easy to provide all necessary nutrients for children on vegetarian and omnivorous diets, why be dishonest and say its easier on a vegan diet?

This misinformation and dishonesty has to stop, a balanced plant based diet is just as good as any other diet, it does not need lies to make it seem better.