Plant-Based for Growing Bodies: Major Study Confirms Healthy Growth for Vegetarian & Vegan Children
(Published December 21, 2025)
For parents considering vegetarian or vegan diets for their children, a significant new study offers reassuring insights. A comprehensive meta-analysis, the largest of its kind to date, confirms that well-planned plant-based diets can support healthy growth and progress in children, provided key nutrients are adequately addressed through fortified foods or supplementation. This research,published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition,provides the most robust evidence yet on the nutritional impact of plant-based eating on young people.
The Scope of the Research: A Global Look at Plant-based Diets
Researchers from Italy, the USA, and Australia meticulously analyzed data from 59 studies spanning 18 countries, encompassing over 48,000 children and adolescents. This massive undertaking compared the health, growth, and nutritional outcomes of children following lacto-ovo-vegetarian (including dairy and eggs), vegan (excluding all animal products), and omnivorous diets. The study included a diverse sample: 7,280 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 1,289 vegans, and 40,059 omnivores.
What the Data Reveals: Benefits and Potential Shortfalls
The analysis paints a nuanced picture. Vegetarian children demonstrated higher intakes of beneficial nutrients like fiber, iron, folate, vitamin C, and magnesium compared to their omnivorous counterparts.However, they also tended to consume less energy, protein, fat, vitamin B12, and zinc. Similar patterns were observed in the smaller group of vegan children studied.
“Notably, vitamin B12 didn’t reach adequate levels without supplementation or fortified foods, and calcium, iodine and zinc intakes were often at the lower end of recommended ranges, making them important nutrients to consider for children on plant-based diets,” explains Dr.Jeannette Beasley, co-author and Associate Professor at New york University. “Vegan children, in particular, had especially low calcium intake.”
Beyond Nutrition: Cardiovascular Health & Body Composition
Interestingly, the study revealed potential health advantages for children following plant-based diets. Both vegetarian and vegan children exhibited improved cardiovascular health markers, specifically lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Regarding growth, plant-based children tended to be leaner, with vegetarian children showing slightly lower height and weight, and also lower BMI, fat mass, and bone mineral content. Vegan children also demonstrated shorter stature and lower BMI compared to omnivores. These differences don’t necessarily indicate negative outcomes, but highlight the importance of careful monitoring and nutritional support.
Expert Insight: Planning is Paramount
“Our analysis of current evidence suggests that well-planned and appropriately supplemented vegetarian and vegan diets can meet nutritional requirements and support healthy growth in children,” states Dr. Monica Dinu,lead author from the University of Florence,Italy. “It’s about being proactive and informed.”
Guidance for Parents: A Path to Healthy Plant-Based Eating
This research should empower, not discourage, parents considering plant-based diets for their children. The researchers strongly emphasize that ethical, environmental, or health-related motivations for choosing these diets are valid. However, careful planning and, ideally, consultation with a registered dietitian or paediatric health professional are crucial.
Focusing on a few key nutrients – vitamin B12, calcium, iodine, and zinc - can considerably mitigate potential risks and ensure children thrive during critical growth periods. Fortified foods and supplements can be invaluable tools in achieving optimal nutritional intake.
Looking Ahead: The Need for Continued Research
While this meta-analysis provides the most comprehensive overview to date, the authors acknowledge the need for further research.Developing clear, evidence-based guidelines for plant-based diets in children, particularly during periods of rapid growth, remains a priority.
Limitations of the included studies, such as variations in methodology and the challenges of accurately assessing dietary intake, also underscore the need for
