Whole Food Plant Based Diet

If you want your child to feel their best, it’s important that they eat a healthy diet. At Newton Pediatrics, the team regularly counsels parents (and their children) on the benefits of a whole food plant-based diet.

What is a whole food plant-based diet?

A whole food plant-based diet is a nutritional regimen designed to improve your child’s health and quality of life. Several factors make this type of diet unique, including:

Many people assume that a whole food plant-based diet is the same as being vegan or vegetarian, but that’s not entirely true. On a whole food plant-based diet, it’s okay to eat meat and other animal products; the team simply recommends that your child doesn’t consume them daily.

What are the benefits of a whole food plant-based diet?

Children and teens grow rapidly, and their bodies are constantly changing. As a result, it’s crucial they receive the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need to thrive. Encouraging your child to eat a whole food plant-based diet from the time they’re little can reduce the risk of common medical issues, including:

Asthma
Allergies
Topical dermatitis (and other skin-related issues)
Diabetes
Heart disease
Behavioral conditions like anxiety and depression

Eating a healthy, balanced diet might even help your child stay focused in the classroom if they’ve been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

What’s included in a whole food plant-based diet?

When you transition to a whole food plant-based diet, it’s essential to make plants (like fruits and vegetables) the star of the meal or snack. That takes a little bit of getting used to, but if you know what to shop for, it’s much easier. The team at Newton Pediatrics recommends including the following items in your child’s new diet:

Fruits
Vegetables
Starchy vegetables (like sweet potatoes and squash)
Whole grains
Healthy fats
Seeds, nuts, and legumes
Plant-based protein

The team also recommends swapping out sugary beverages like soda and fruit juice with unsweetened tea, tap water, or sparkling water.

Will my child benefit from a whole food plant-based diet?

All children can benefit from eating a whole food plant-based diet. That’s especially true if your child has a vitamin or a nutritional deficiency that affects their health or quality of life. Following a complete exam, a series of lab tests, and a review of your child’s health history, the team can make recommendations that align with your little one’s needs.

Take the Next Step in Your Child’s Care

Your child deserves compassionate, high-quality medical care at every stage of growth.