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"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful,

"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes." -- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19562864 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19562864 "A healthy vegan diet can meet all your nutrient needs at any stage of life including when you are pregnant, breastfeeding or for older adults." -- http://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-A-Z/Vegetarian-Diets/Eating-Guidelines-for-Vegans.aspx http://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-A-Z/Vegetaria... No, you don't need meat; You want it.

notpc 10y ago
It's also very difficult to have a "well-planned" vegetarian or vegan diet, especially for children. The chance that you get it right is pretty low. A vegan diet for children is borderline child abuse in my opinion.
- bradbeattie 10y ago
  In fairness, the chances of most North Americans getting it right are pretty low when you consider the obesity epidemic, lack of physical activity, and all their orbiting ailments. To your point though, difficult in what respect? I've been doing this since I was 9 and haven't had any issues. The most common concerns I hear are nutritional (protein, iron, calcium, B12) and convenience (restaurants, grocery stores, birthday cakes, etc). But I'm curious as to what your specific concerns are.