Toddler Nutrition
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 3:00 pm
We went Plant Based when my son was about 8 months old. At that time, we switched him from cows milk formula to the hypoallergenic formula as my wife couldn't breastfeed.
Around 11 months we starting introducing plant based milk eventually settling on unsweetened hemp. Now that he is 13 months he eats organic plant baby food mixed with cereal(fortified oat cereal) and a variety of whole veggies and fruits. He also snacks on fortified cereals (regular cheerios) and organic graham crackers. I mix in a few teaspoons of flax meal in his morning and evening meals for omega 3's. He also drinks hemp milk with his lunch and right before bed.
I want to make sure he is getting everything he needs. I keep hearing and reading about how babies need "healthy fats". I guess I'm worried because I don't know if we are giving him enough fat in his diet. Does Dr. McDougall have a lecture or article about this topic. I know we are doing the right thing for him in the long run but I don't want to affect his development because we overlooked something early on. Do plant based children need supplements beyond B12 (which I think he is getting from fortified foods)? I've seen vegan DHA supplements at the health food store, are they helpfull/necessary?
Around 11 months we starting introducing plant based milk eventually settling on unsweetened hemp. Now that he is 13 months he eats organic plant baby food mixed with cereal(fortified oat cereal) and a variety of whole veggies and fruits. He also snacks on fortified cereals (regular cheerios) and organic graham crackers. I mix in a few teaspoons of flax meal in his morning and evening meals for omega 3's. He also drinks hemp milk with his lunch and right before bed.
I want to make sure he is getting everything he needs. I keep hearing and reading about how babies need "healthy fats". I guess I'm worried because I don't know if we are giving him enough fat in his diet. Does Dr. McDougall have a lecture or article about this topic. I know we are doing the right thing for him in the long run but I don't want to affect his development because we overlooked something early on. Do plant based children need supplements beyond B12 (which I think he is getting from fortified foods)? I've seen vegan DHA supplements at the health food store, are they helpfull/necessary?