Nutritionists have warned against raising babies, saying vegans can cause 'irreversible damage' including 'more fractures, nutrient deficiencies and shorter lengths'.
It comes after Lucy Watson came under fire after revealing her parenting plans to raise her 'miracle baby' on a plant-based diet.
The Made in Chelsea star, 32, told fans on her Instagram during a Q&A that she and her husband, James Dunmore, 34, will be raising their newborn on the same diet Lucy follows.
The revelation didn't come as a shock to her followers, as the reality TV star has been a staunch supporter of animal rights and veganism all her life.
However, many fans flocked to her social media channels to express their concerns about the future plan - with some even claiming that Lucy's veganism was exacerbating her fertility problems and preventing her from getting pregnant in the first place.
Here, FEMAIL reveals expert opinions on the risk of raising your baby on a vegan diet, which consists entirely of plants such as vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. As such, the diet is free of animal products, including dairy products and eggs.
While vegans around the world consider the diet safe and healthy, others oppose the lifestyle because it creates barriers to a nutritious diet.
Recently, the number of people wanting to reduce their meat consumption in favor of a plant-based lifestyle has increased dramatically. A 2022 report estimates that 46 percent of Britons aged 16 to 75 are considering reducing their intake of animal products. the future, according to Ipsos.
But when it comes to raising a vegan baby, debate has arisen, as in the case of Lucy Watson.
Speaking to FEMAIL, food and nutrition experts explained the concerns associated with raising a child on a plant-based diet.
Common ground was found among each expert, with careful planning being the most important part of a successful vegan diet for a newborn.
Ro Huntriss, consultant dietitian and founder of Fertility Dietitian UK, told FEMAIL: 'It is absolutely possible to safely raise a baby on a vegan diet, but the child's nutritional needs must be carefully considered to ensure ensuring all essential nutrients are supplied. through diet or supplementation.'
However, others, such as Sandra Greenbank, expert fertility nutritionist and founder of The Fertility Nutrition Center, highlighted several important concerns when raising a newborn as a vegan.
Sandra explained: 'Children raised vegan have been shown to have 5% lower bone mineral density compared to children fed an omnivorous diet.
'They are also on average 3 cm shorter. We build 95% of our bone density by the time we reach the age of 20. Low bone density as a child or adolescent therefore predisposes to a higher risk of fractures later in life.'
In addition to potential bone density complications, Sandra added that children raised on a vegan diet are at greater risk for nutrient deficiencies, including B12, which is only naturally found in animal products, and iodine, which is mainly found in white fish and dairy products. foods and omega-3 fats, which are mainly found in fish.
But for parents looking to replace these nutrients, Sandra warned against 'highly processed' vegan meat substitutes.
She called the products "ultra-processed," which posed a "real concern," especially when they make up a large portion of the food marketed to children.
Sandra also pointed out a possible implication of using vegan soy-based formula milk.
She said: 'If mum cannot breastfeed she may be tempted to introduce a vegan soya-based formula, but it is important to note that this is not recommended for children under six months and that it alone may be used. under medical supervision.
'There are some concerns around soy-based formulas, as the higher exposure to phytoestrogens at this age can affect babies' reproductive development.
'Soya-based formula is also likely to be more damaging to babies' teeth and has a higher aluminum content than cow-based formula.'
She concluded: 'While eating a more plant-based diet is likely to be better for both our health and the planet, cutting out animal foods completely poses significant challenges and carries risks and could cause irreversible harm to babies and children if left untreated. not responded to. correct.
'I would absolutely urge any parent or carer hoping to have a vegan pregnancy or raise a vegan child to work with an expert who can help reduce the risks.'
In addition to Sandra's position, Claire Hitchen, BANT registered nutritionist specializing in baby and infant nutrition and co-founder of Mini Tummies, warned of similar harm.
Claire told FEMAIL that a good vegan diet can be safe for babies, but that 'extra care is needed to ensure they get all the essential nutrients they need for their growth and development'.
In addition to the impact on growth and nutrient deficiencies, she raised two other concerns: allergies.
Claire commented on the possible introduction of allergies to a baby raised vegan.
She said: 'When it comes to food allergies, research shows that early introduction of allergens, such as eggs, milk and fish, before they reach the age of one year can reduce a child's risk of developing a food allergy.
'This could become a relevant problem if the child moves away from a vegan diet in the future. Introducing these allergenic foods to a baby early is also associated with reducing the risk of other allergic diseases, such as eczema."
She concludes: 'It is important that any parent planning to follow a vegan diet for their child is supported with the right nutritional information.
'Ensuring that a vegan diet is complete for a young child requires a lot of effort, planning and good guidance from a nutritionist'
