What is veganism?

In order to understand how and in what ways veganism can affect child development, it is necessary to have a basic knowledge about veganism. First of all, veganism was established about approximately 75 years ago although its main roots can be traced back over more than two thousand years. Around the year 500, people were already choosing to avoid animal products. It was first defined to be an extreme form o vegetarianism until the term ‘veganism’ was established in 1944.

A vegan diet is a plant based diet where people don’t eat meat, fish, dairy products or animal-made ingredients (like eggs, cheese or milk). Instead, they consume grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, tofu, soy milk and many other foods to replace the nutrients that are normally found in animal products. Many vegans also refuse to eat foods that are processed using animal products, such as animal fat or oil, refined white sugar and even some wines. Vegans definitely have their own rules and borders which they don’t cross. For example, some are saying that honey is an animal product and if you consume it you are harming the bees that produce it. Others do not use clothing, object or accessory which is made from animals. This means they are not wearing leather, wool or pearls. Furthermore, they refuse to buy ivory – keyed pianos. Basically, everything which is directly or indirectly produced by animals or by using animals, is a taboo to them.

Pros and cons of veganism

Firstly, it is important to note that there is no “standard” way of raising a child vegan. 

However, just eating one kind of food is obviously not the way to go. In this sense, there could be considered a “right” and “wrong” way of being vegan. What is right? And if so, is it good? What are the consequences of going vegan?.

Pros: 

1. The pros of going vegan is firstly that you a lot of antioxidants, if eating right, which can reduce risks of diabetes. 

2. Secondly, there is not a lot of saturated fats in vegan diets, which is good for a healthy body. 
3. If you are thinking about the environment, it reduces your carbon footprint. 

Cons: 

1. It takes time to get adjusted to a new diet 

2. There are many nutrients that come from animal products, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D and omega-3 to mention a few.  

3. Many, additionally, are not aware of what is defined as a “good” or “right”  vegan diet
   (not a lot of clarity in this).  

4. Expensive, only people with enough resources/ come from countries with easy accessibility are able to be vegan (depending on region you live). 

There are many positive and negative aspects of going vegan. It is, after all, a hot and controversial topic, which has been on the rise as a result of more climate-change awareness and people wanting to be more sustainable. One of these ways is to change one’s diet. The discussion, however, is on whether it is safe and ok to change it drastically, without properly being educated on the food and supplements one must take in order to still have a healthy and all-round diet.

An interview with the 23 year old medicine student Lena, living in Berlin was conducted to have a more personalized insight view of the vegan lifestyle. She started eating vegan 2 years ago and we are trying to find out what brought her to that change. As well as in how far her life changed consuming a vegan diet. Berlin in general is also called the vegan empire, due to its huge variety of offers of the vegan kitchen.

When did you stop consuming animal products?

L: I started about 2 years ago 

Why did you changed to veganism?

L: I just wanted to change something about my lifestyle. I started thinking more about my environment. And due to the fact that there are so many alternatives to meat I tried it out and I liked it. 

 Would you start eating animal products again?

L: I would never say never.. But for now I would stick to the vegan lifestyle .

There are a lot of statements that the vegan diet lacks of some important nutrients. What do you think about that?

L: Of course there are some nutrients which are mostly included in animal products. But there is always a way to consume those without eating animal products.

Do you think that this diet could also be influencing you health?

L: I would say that you have to be careful that you consume the missing nutrients so your health is not lacking of important energy/nutrient sources.

Do you feel any different now? 

I feel better about eating due to the fact that I cause less harm, and do not support possible mass industries where animals are violently raised and killed. 

Would you call Berlin one of the hotspots for vegans?

L: Yes, definitely. In Berlin you have so many alternatives to animal products. A lot of restaurants ogre vegan alternatives. A huge variety is available so you do not have any difficulties finding food you like. There has to be a reason Berlin is called the capital of veganism. 

Transitioning diets and essential nutrients

It has been shown that diet as a strategy for weight-control is insufficient for real change, especially during child development, where general behavior is thought to be the most influential factor. There numerous ways to promote a physically healthy lifestyle since there lacks a singular answer that consistently yields the same results for entire populations. The human body is overly complex for it to be so relevant where you get your nutrients as much as it is that you receive the nutrients at all. The word ‘essential’ holds its weight for a reason, after all, there are physiological, biological necessities of the human body in order to function optimally. 

Veganism may be a choice for some, while others are faced with financial and strategic problems which are, in fact, often detrimental disadvantages if the vegan diet is still pursued but providing inadequate nourishment for the individual. Knowing the responsibility of carrying out such a lifestyle and consistently supplying the body with the necessary nutrients, it is consistently a topic of controversy whether veganism is harmful to children and adolescents. With adequate resources and information, harmful consequences could be avoided. Because the vegan diet is highly restrictive to only plant-based food products, several essential vitamins naturally occurring in animal products must be replaced or complemented through supplements. In order for a child to build resilience even on a microbiological level, there needs to be a consistent supply of lipids, also known as fats, from fetal development all the way through puberty and into young adulthood. Much of contemporary research in the realm of nutrition is focusing on individualized approaches to diet, investigating the best outcomes which match the needs and status (ie. genes, gender, age, BMI) of the person. The following interview reveals an example of how it is possible to transition from one lifestyle to another, in this case on a student budget.