Vegan Nutrition with Dina Aronson, M.S. R.D.

Dina Aronson, MS, RD is a vegan dietitian whose specialties include chronic disease prevention, vegetarian/vegan nutrition, and lifestyle management. She is the founder and director of VeganRD.com, a nutrition consulting company. Active in many vegetarian nutrition organizations, Dina was the recipient of the American Dietetic Association's Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award in 2002.

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I breast fed my baby only one month, combined with milk formula. Doctor said to me that my baby cannot become vegetarian because I did not breast fed him for six months! Presently in his fifth month I am giving him fruits, vegetables, cereals and formula milk. Is that true that I must feed him meat and eggs just because I did not fed him with breast milk for six months?

That is completely ridiculous, and it concerns me that your doctor would tell you such nonsense. What you fed your baby before has no impact on what you should feed him now. Your baby's dietary needs should be determined by his current state of health and nutritional requirements for his age and size, regardless of what you fed him before. Unless there is some specific health issue, I can see no logic in forcing any specific foods based on past diet. Your son can meet all of his nutritional needs on breastmilk and/or formula, along with a well-planned plant-based diet.

Disclaimer: The advice given here is for eductional purposes only. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.

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