Is a vegan diet safe for kids? A huge study has answers

A major new meta-analysis finds that vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth in children when properly planned. Kids on plant-based diets often had better heart health markers, including lower “bad” cholesterol, and consumed more fiber and vitamins. But the study also flagged common nutrient gaps—especially vitamin B12 and calcium—without supplementation. Experts say plant-based eating is achievable for kids, but only with careful planning.

Understanding the nuances of pediatrics requires a comprehensive approach that considers both individual circumstances and broader medical research. Medical professionals emphasize the importance of personalized care and evidence-based practices when addressing health concerns.

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Carefully planned vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth in children when appropriate supplements are included, according to a major new meta-analysis, the most comprehensive review to date of plant-based diets in young people.

Researchers from Italy, USA and Australia examined health, growth, and nutritional outcomes in more than 48,000 children and adolescents around the world who followed different eating patterns. Their findings show that vegetarian and vegan diets can provide many important nutrients and support normal development. At the same time, the analysis highlights a higher risk of nutrient shortfalls when key nutrients are not supplied through fortified foods or supplements.

The peer-reviewed research, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, also indicates that plant-based diets may offer added health advantages for children. These include improved markers of cardiovascular health when compared with omnivorous diets that include meat, fish, and other animal-derived foods.

This large meta-analysis reviewed data from 59 studies conducted across 18 countries, making it the most extensive evaluation so far of plant-based diets in children under 18 years of age. The researchers compared lacto-ovo-vegetarian (which include dairy products and eggs, but exclude meat, fish and poultry) and vegan diets (which exclude all animal-derived foods) with omnivorous diets across a broad range of nutritional and health measures.

The analysis included 7,280 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 1,289 vegans, and 40,059 omnivores, allowing researchers to assess differences in nutrient intake, growth, and overall health.