Children raised on a healthy, vegan diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds gain significant protection against overweight and diabetes and have much higher intakes of fiber, important antioxidants, and minerals than omnivorous children.

The American Dietetic Association has given the vegan diet the green light for children, saying it can provide all the necessary nutrients for growing infants, toddlers, and adolescents. Meal planning guidelines for nutritionists assisting vegan parents can be found in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.