A new wave of scientific studies is challenging long-standing assumptions about veganism in childhood, revealing both its potential benefits and crucial nutritional risks. As more Thai families consider plant-based diets for health, ethical, or environmental reasons, health experts urge informed, careful planning—especially for growing children—based on emerging international research (BBC Future).
The world is seeing a steady rise in plant-based eating. While global data remain limited, veganism is making incremental gains: in the US, about 1% of the population follows a vegan diet, while UK estimates are closer to 3%, or two million people. In Thailand, the tradition of “je” vegetarianism has deep cultural roots, particularly during the annual Vegetarian Festival, although strict lifetime veganism remains rare. However, with growing awareness of environmental and animal welfare concerns, as well as the health impacts of diet, an increasing number of Thai parents are exploring plant-based nutrition for themselves and their children.
International research highlights several well-documented advantages to adopting a vegan diet, such as lower cholesterol levels, reduced risk of heart disease, obesity, and certain metabolic diseases, including diabetes. According to a nutritional scientist at Imperial College London, vegan diets have been linked to “decreased LDL cholesterol, less blockages in the arteries, and leaner body profiles in children and adults." However, “children have the highest requirement nutritionally, simply because they’re literally growing new tissue and building an adult body before our eyes,” explains the same expert, underscoring the unique risks for young Thais on vegan diets.
Vegan diets eschew all animal-derived foods, including meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. Although plant-based diets are often high in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants (polyphenols), exclusively vegan childhood diets can struggle to provide certain essential nutrients. Vitamin B12 is one glaring example. Exclusive to animal products, this micronutrient is vital for brain function and blood cell production. While B12 can be found in supplemented vegan foods like nutritional yeast, fortified cereals, and some plant milks, and through supplements themselves, recent studies show that many vegan children—and even some breastfed infants of vegan mothers—are deficient unless supplementation is rigorously practiced (source). This highlights potential links to neurological delays and developmental concerns if left unchecked.
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are another concern. These polyunsaturated fats, essential for children’s brain development, are plentiful in fish and some algae, but much rarer in plant sources. Flax, chia seeds, and walnuts offer some omega-3s (ALA type), but these lack the proven benefits of their marine-origin counterparts. For Thai families, where fish is a dietary staple and a source of pride in many coastal communities, the challenge of finding equivalent vegan sources is even starker.
Other nutrients commonly lacking in vegan childhood diets include calcium, vitamin D, and iodine—also critical for bone growth and cognitive function. Deficiencies in these, though rare with proper planning, have led to isolated but serious medical incidents in Europe, such as infants hospitalized for calcium deficiency or tragic outcomes from unbalanced “vegan” milk formulas that failed to deliver necessary nutrition.
One of the leading studies in this area, conducted in Poland and cited by an honorary research fellow at University College London, compared 187 children on vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous diets. Despite supplementation—two-thirds of the vegan and vegetarian children took B12 pills—vegan children had measurably lower calcium and were at greater risk of iron, vitamin D, and B12 deficiencies. The same children, however, had better cholesterol profiles, healthier weights, and less bodily inflammation than their omnivorous peers.
The height and bone health of vegan children are now under particular scrutiny. The Polish study tracked slightly lower average height—about 3–4 centimeters—for vegan children, though they were still within normal ranges for their age group. More concerning is bone mineral density, which was about 6% lower in vegan versus omnivorous peers, raising the likelihood of fractures and osteoporosis later in life. The reasons, researchers say, are complex: while protein, vitamin D, and calcium from plant sources help, plant proteins may do less to promote bone growth than their animal-based counterparts, and this gap is not always closed by supplements alone.
However, experts stress that these findings should not be cause for immediate alarm. The research base remains small, with many results coming from single studies with limited follow-up. As a clinical dietician on the research team put it, “I think it’s an important study, but it’s one study on a small amount of children… we need to actually do more research to really understand what factors in their diet are putting children at higher risk.”
So, is childhood veganism safe? The answer, according to available evidence, is: yes, with the caveat of careful, knowledgeable planning. Major US and UK dietetic associations endorse well-planned vegan diets for children, provided parents pay careful attention to supplementation and food choices. In Germany, France, Belgium, and Poland, official recommendations remain more cautious.
For Thai families, several practical lessons emerge from the latest research. First, fortified plant milks, yoghurts, and breakfast cereals are key to filling nutrient gaps. Sunlight exposure, common in Thailand, naturally boosts vitamin D, although caution is advised during high UV hours. Iron absorption from leafy greens and legumes can be improved by pairing with vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, guava (a Thai favorite), or bell peppers. For omega-3s, seaweed supplements and algae-derived capsules may help substitute for fish oils, but should be discussed with a pediatrician or dietitian.
One recurrent message from research is to avoid relying heavily on processed vegan foods—even if they are technically plant-based. Many of these can be high in salt, sugar, and additives, with limited nutritional value. “If you have an unhealthy vegan diet where you’re not thinking about the variety of nutrients, and you’re just taking supplements, then you won’t have good health outcomes,” warns the nutritional scientist from London.
Education and medical oversight are vital. International experts consistently recommend that Thai parents considering a vegan or predominantly plant-based diet for their children should consult with a pediatric dietitian or registered nutritionist, plan menus with diversity in mind, and monitor children’s growth closely. Notably, regular health checkups, growth tracking, and open communication with schools or childcare providers about dietary needs are just as important in Thailand as in Europe or America.
Historically, vegetarianism—if not strict veganism—has a long tradition in Thai Buddhist culture, with periods of plant-based eating associated with merit-making, meditation, or health. Street food vendors and restaurants across Thailand increasingly offer vegan options, especially during the Je Festival. But these local practices are often supplemented by eggs and dairy, and are not typically designed to support the nutritional needs of young, rapidly growing children.
Looking forward, the landscape for plant-based childhood diets is evolving rapidly. Advances in food technology, greater access to fortified foods, and the spread of reliable online nutritional resources make it easier than ever for Thai parents to build nutritionally complete, sustainable diets for their families. Yet, research advocates for ongoing, country-specific studies to analyze dietary trends and health outcomes among Thai children growing up vegan.
Despite these opportunities, experts caution that the “one-size-fits-all” approach never applies to childhood nutrition. Urban and rural families face differing levels of food security and access to specialized vegan products. Socioeconomic disparities, education levels, and health literacy also play a role, making individualized dietary advice and public health education campaigns in Thailand all the more necessary.
For Thai families considering plant-based diets for children, here are several practical recommendations based on the latest research:
- Consult with qualified health professionals—preferably a pediatric dietitian—before making significant dietary changes for children.
- Rely on a wide diversity of fresh Thai fruits, vegetables, pulses, grains, nuts, and seeds to ensure a spectrum of nutrients.
- Include fortified foods and appropriate supplements for vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3 (EPA and DHA).
- Monitor children’s growth and development regularly, keeping records of height, weight, and general wellbeing.
- Avoid excessive dependence on highly processed vegan convenience foods.
- Stay educated on nutrition science and public health developments, especially as new Thai research becomes available.
- Be mindful of social and cultural contexts—a balanced, healthy “je” diet can be part of family life, but should always prioritize children’s full nutritional needs.
For further information, Thai readers can consult resources from the Ministry of Public Health, the Royal College of Pediatricians of Thailand, and international organizations such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Position Statement).
As veganism grows in popularity, both globally and in Thailand, continuous, locally relevant research and parent education remain essential to ensure that Thai children receive the best start in life—whatever dietary path their families choose.