The Plant-Based Baby and Toddler, a complete feeding guide for 6 months to 3 years, with over 60 simple recipes. This is your go-to source for evidence-based healthy eating for parents of young vegans, from two highly qualified nutritionists and registered dietitians.
The authors have info on their website on food allergens (they say the top 8 allergens of milk, eggs, soy, shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat account for around 90% of all allergens, the others being mustard or sesame seeds).
Before cooking, read up on food safety for people and pets. Just bin allium scraps (onion, leeks, garlic, shallots, chives) along with rhubarb, tomato and citrus scraps, as acids may harm compost creatures.
In this book, the authors discuss:
- The PB3 plate; a visual guide to creating nutritionally balanced meals: one third fruits/vegetables, one third legumes (avoiding nuts/seeds for children under 5) and one third grains/starches – easy to adapt for the entire family)
- How to meet needs for critical nutrients like iron
- A primer on traditional purees and baby-led weaning/feeding
- Dealing with picky eaters
- Sorting fact from fiction for formulas and non-dairy milks
- Over 50 plant-based recipes (from first bites to age 3)
As dietitians and mothers, Whitney and Alex pored over nutrition journals and called on the experts to learn how to provide their babies with the best diet possible. They found that plant-based diets are associated with a reduced risk of obesity, decreased cholesterol levels, and increased fruit and vegetable intake. In short, if done well they are safe and healthy.
About the Authors
Alexandra Caspero and Whitney English are American nutritionists and registered dieticians, who specialise in plant-based food for children. They are also authors of several e-books for pregnancy and children, including Easy Dinners for Busy Parents which contains 30 plant-based recipes, a 6-week meal plan (with grocery lists) and 20 bonus recipes.
Other e-books you can find on their site (along with many plant-based recipes for children and families) include:
- The Predominantly Plant-Based Pregnancy Guide (170 pages of evidence-based advice to empower you with resources to make the best nutrition decisions for growing families)
- The Nut-Free Lunch Box Book (30 plant-based ideas for lunches and snacks)
- An A to Z Plant-Based Child Nutrition Course
- First Bites (a plant-based weaning course for parents)
- A course for health professionals, to know what to recommend feeding vegan children.
