“Vegetarianism” can lead to children lack of minerals, vitamin B12, essential fatty acids, protein, vitamin D, etc.
Long term lack of these nutrients will lead to poor physical development of children, and even diseases.
The specific hazards are as follows:
1. Lack of protein, calcium, iron and zinc – affects the balance of metabolism and immune system
Both dark green vegetables and traditional bean products contain a certain amount of protein, calcium, iron and zinc.
But their nutrition is not enough, the children eat less, the absorption rate is low, so they can not meet the daily needs of the standard;
The long-term deficiency of protein, calcium, iron and zinc will affect the normal metabolism and reduce the resistance.
2. Lack of vitamin B12 – damage to nervous system
Vitamin B12 is only found in animal foods, and “vegetarians” are severely deficient.
Vitamin B12 deficiency affects the nervous system. From mild fatigue to severe neurological impairment.
3. Lack of DHA affects brain development
DHA comes from aquatic fish and shrimp, while vegetarians can only get DHA from plant foods such as flaxseed oil α- Linolenic acid is converted into DHA.
But the conversion efficiency is very low, so it is difficult to get enough DHA only by eating plant food.
The lack of DHA will cause irreversible damage to children’s vision development and brain development.
4. Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets
The main sources of vitamin D are fish liver oil, fish and shrimp, and a small amount of vitamin D is found in cheese and egg yolk.
Sun exposure can also make the body synthesize vitamin D, but children’s skin is delicate, it is difficult to ensure sunshine time, so the little vitamin D in vegetarian food can not meet the needs of children’s growth.
And lack of vitamin D can affect the healthy development of bones, and even more serious will lead to rickets.
