More plant-based foods in our children's diets: Is It Possible?

But then, if we shift children’s diets toward plant-based foods, is it still possible to meet their nutritional needs? Is it possible to go a step further and increase the number of vegetarian meals in school cafeterias while ensuring high-quality nutrition?

We asked Romane Poinsot, a research engineer specializing in nutritional health and sustainable food systems and co-author of the study “More Vegetarian Meals in School Cafeterias to Balance Nutritional Quality and Environmental Protection.”   

 

Balancing children's nutritional needs with a plant-based diet: Is it possible?

 

Let's Talk About Nutrition and Plant-Based Eating

 

In her study, Romane Poinsot simulated several menu combinations ( vegetarian and non-vegetarian) based on the mandatory frequency guidelines and recommendations of the National Council for Institutional Food Service (CNRC). Her goal was to examine the relationship between menu composition, its impact on the nutritional quality of meals, and its environmental impact (particularly greenhouse gas emissions).

 

The study’s findings show that serving three vegetarian meals per week in school cafeterias significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining good nutritional quality ( sufficient intake of the nutrients necessary for good health).

Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by:

• 25% if the other meals contain only ruminant meat and fish, and the remaining meals
• 50% if you alternate between white meat (pork and poultry) and fish for the other meals

 

You’re probably wondering what those vegetarian meals consisted of! Well, a combination of legumes and grains and/or dairy products, fruits, and vegetables… Everything needed to meet children’s nutritional needs (protein, iron, calcium, vitamins…). ! It’s important to have at least one meal with fatty fish per week to ensure an adequate intake of omega-3 and vitamin D.

 

Need some inspiration? Here’s an example of a balanced, 100% vegetarian meal plan:

Appetizer: A raw vegetable salad

Main course: Vegetarian chili with plant-based ground meat

For dessert: Fromage blanc served with red berries and slivered almonds.

 

The biggest challenge with plant-based eating for kids: making it fun for them!

 

Romane Poinsot explains that “it is more the taste and the way food is prepared that determine whether or not children are attracted to certain foods, rather than the foods themselves.” This observation is based on numerous interviews with dietitians and professionals in the institutional food service sector.

 

There’s a real challenge when it comes to taste, convenience, and presentation if we want to pique children’s curiosity—and cooking techniques play a big part in this. The secret? Presenting a new food in different forms, on multiple occasions, so that children can better understand it and discover it at their own pace. For example, to introduce children to spinach, you can serve it in a salad, incorporate it into savory quiches or lasagna, or even serve it as a side dish with fish!

 

Finally, when it comes to incorporating more plant-based foods into children’s diets, there is a twofold educational challenge:

• With children, by introducing them to a wider variety of plant-based foods
• With professionals in the institutional food service sector to make the best possible use of these foods from a culinary perspective. It would also be beneficial to provide training on the origins and production methods of foods, as well as their nutritional aspects, so that they can pass this knowledge on to the children.

 

A Final Word from the Expert

 

We asked Romane Poinsot for some advice for families who want to make their diets more plant-based. Here is her response:

 

“You should refer to the official recommendations provided by Santé Publique France. The mangerbouger.fr website is full of advice, recipes, tips, and information related to a plant-based diet. [Some simple guidelines include] how often to eat certain foods:

• Grains—preferably whole grains—and fruits and vegetables every day
• Legumes at least twice a week
• Storing Dairy Products
• Fish twice a week
• Poultry and eggs in other meals
• Limit your intake of processed meats

 

"For families who wish to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, it would be best to consult a healthcare professional for guidance."

 

As you can see, making children’s diets plant-based is within everyone’s reach, as long as it follows official recommendations. At HappyVore, we offer Fun Recipes, indulgent, and balanced that will delight not only your children's taste buds, but yours as well! See our recipes