Researchers looked at studies about children eating only plant-based foods to see if they grow and develop normally. They found that kids on vegan diets generally grow just as tall and have similar body weights as kids who eat meat and dairy. However, the research shows that vegan children need careful planning to make sure they get enough important nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and omega-3s. Doctors recommend that families choosing vegan diets for their kids should regularly check their growth and nutrition levels, and may need to add supplements to keep their children healthy.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether children and teenagers eating only plant-based foods (no meat, dairy, or eggs) grow normally and get all the nutrients they need compared to kids who eat everything.
  • Who participated: About 1,500 children and teenagers from various studies who followed vegan diets, compared to children eating regular diets that include animal products.
  • Key finding: Kids on vegan diets grew to similar heights and had similar body weights as other kids. However, they needed more careful attention to make sure they were getting enough key nutrients.
  • What it means for you: If your family is considering a vegan diet for your child, it can work, but you’ll need to plan meals carefully, possibly use supplements (especially vitamin B12), and have regular check-ups with a doctor to monitor growth and nutrition.

The Research Details

Scientists from a major European pediatric organization searched medical databases for all studies published in the last 15 years about children on vegan diets. They looked for studies that compared vegan children to children eating regular diets, measuring things like height, weight, and nutrient levels in the blood.

They used strict rules to decide which studies were good enough to include in their review. They found 10 main studies plus 3 additional reviews that had already combined data from multiple studies. This approach, called a systematic review, is like gathering all the best evidence available on one topic to see what the overall picture shows.

The researchers looked at three main areas: how well children grew (height and weight), whether they got enough nutrients from their food, and what their blood tests showed about their nutrition levels.

This type of careful review is important because parents need reliable information before making big decisions about their child’s diet. By looking at all the best available research together, doctors can give families honest, evidence-based advice rather than just opinions.

This review followed strict international guidelines for how to do systematic reviews properly. The researchers were from a respected European pediatric organization. However, they found that there aren’t many high-quality studies on this topic yet, and the studies that exist are relatively small. The researchers were honest about these limitations and called for more and better research in the future.

What the Results Show

The most important finding is that children on vegan diets grew to similar heights and had similar body weights as children eating regular diets. This is good news for families considering this choice. The measurements used to compare growth (called z-scores) showed no significant differences between the two groups.

However, the researchers found that the overall evidence is still not completely clear because there aren’t enough large, well-designed studies. The studies they reviewed were relatively small and didn’t all measure the same things in the same way.

When they looked at what nutrients the vegan children were actually eating, they found some concerns. Many vegan children weren’t getting enough of certain important nutrients from food alone, including vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. These are nutrients that are easier to get from animal products, so plant-based diets need to be planned very carefully.

Blood tests showed that some vegan children had lower levels of certain nutrients compared to children eating regular diets. This suggests that even though they were growing normally, their bodies might not have had enough of these important nutrients stored up. The researchers also noted that the quality of planning in the vegan diet made a big difference—families who carefully planned meals and used supplements had better results.

This review updates older advice from medical organizations that was based mainly on expert opinions rather than research studies. The new findings are generally reassuring compared to some concerns people had, showing that vegan diets can support normal growth. However, the research confirms what nutrition experts have long said: vegan diets for children require more planning and monitoring than regular diets.

The biggest limitation is that there simply aren’t many studies on this topic, and the ones that exist are relatively small. Most studies only followed children for a short time, so we don’t know about long-term effects. Some studies didn’t measure all the important nutrients. The researchers couldn’t combine all the data into one big analysis because the studies were too different from each other. More research with larger groups of children followed for longer periods is needed.

The Bottom Line

If a family chooses a vegan diet for their child: (1) Work with a dietitian to plan balanced meals that include enough protein, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. (2) Give vitamin B12 supplements—this is essential and non-negotiable because B12 doesn’t naturally occur in plant foods. (3) Consider supplements or fortified foods for vitamin D, iron, calcium, and omega-3s. (4) Have regular doctor visits to check the child’s growth and get blood tests to monitor nutrient levels. (5) Keep detailed food records to make sure the diet is adequate. These recommendations have moderate to strong confidence based on the available evidence.

Parents considering vegan diets for their children should pay close attention to this research. Healthcare providers caring for vegan children should use this information to guide monitoring and supplementation advice. Families already following vegan diets should review whether they’re doing all the recommended monitoring and supplementation. This research is less relevant for families eating regular diets that include animal products.

Growth problems from poor nutrition typically develop over months to years, not weeks. Regular monitoring (every 3-6 months for young children, annually for older children) is important to catch any issues early. Benefits of a well-planned vegan diet can be seen immediately in terms of overall health, but nutritional adequacy requires ongoing attention.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily intake of key nutrients: protein (grams), vitamin B12 (micrograms from supplements), iron (mg), calcium (mg), and omega-3s (grams). Set weekly goals and log meals to ensure targets are met. Compare against age-appropriate recommendations.
  • Set up a supplement reminder system in the app for daily vitamin B12 and other recommended supplements. Create a meal planning feature that suggests balanced vegan meals meeting protein and nutrient targets. Schedule quarterly nutrition check-in reminders to prompt doctor visits.
  • Log monthly height and weight measurements to track growth trends. Record quarterly blood test results when available. Track supplement adherence weekly. Create a nutrition adequacy score based on logged meals. Generate monthly reports to share with healthcare providers during check-ups.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Parents considering a vegan diet for their child should consult with their pediatrician and a registered dietitian before making dietary changes. Children have unique nutritional needs for growth and development, and any dietary changes should be carefully planned and monitored by healthcare professionals. This summary reflects current research but does not constitute medical advice for individual cases.