About this episode
Is it healthy for a child be vegan and not eat meat or dairy? Will they still get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need? Despite what you might have heard from skeptics, the answer to both is YES! In fact, the vegan kid in school probably isn't alone anymore. With an increasing number of adults turning to a plant-based diet, it is a logical assumption that their offspring are following suit. They're not the "weird kid" anymore! The reality is that the current standard American diet is failing our children and the rate of childhood obesity has skyrocketed over the last half-century. Meanwhile, plant-based diets have been proven time and again to be great for weight loss. Currently, one out of five kids is considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sadly, many of these children are now facing some very adult problems, including high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and even heart disease. On this show, "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll explores the myths and stigma surrounding children on a vegan diet with Dr. Asha Subramanian, who specializes in family medicine. Gretchen Housel, M.S.N., N.P.- C. also discusses her personal experience raising a young child on a plant-based diet. She has good advice for parents wondering how to handle the potential peer pressure and other outside influences that their children may face. We also revisit an interview with vegan NASCAR driver Landon Cassill who talks about raising a couple of vegan children from a father's perspective. And of course, we can't end the show without hearing what it's like to be a vegan kid straight from the source! Nine-year-old Maya, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich enthusiast, sits down with Chuck to talk about her favorite plant-based foods. Follow: @PCRM / @ChuckCarrollWLC Podcast website: http://www.pcrm.org/podcast Previous episodes: https://apple.co/2DIVaQ4