How Do Vegan Families Introduce Potentially Allergenic Foods? with @plantbasedjuniors Alexandra Caspero, MS, RD and Whitney English, MS, RD

May 17, 2021

In this discussion, Alexandra Caspero and Whitney English, both Registered Dietitians and co-founders of Plant Based Juniors, dive into raising plant-based children while addressing allergenic foods. They share personal experiences overcoming challenges in baby-led weaning and the importance of iron-rich foods. Tips for introducing diverse veggies and making plant-based diets appealing to all families are provided. Plus, they outline practical steps for families considering a plant-based lifestyle, ensuring kids meet their nutritional needs.

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ANECDOTE

Alexandra's Baby-Led Weaning Doubts

Alexandra Caspero initially doubted her ability to do baby-led weaning on a plant-based diet due to concerns about iron.
She overcame this fear and committed to proving it possible to feed her baby this way without meat.

ANECDOTE

Whitney's Career Shift Story

Whitney English transitioned from entertainment reporter to registered dietitian motivated by nutrition misinformation.
She uses her journalism skills combined with nutrition knowledge to combat misinformation in pediatric nutrition.

INSIGHT

Meaning of Predominantly Plant-Based

Predominantly plant-based means eating mostly plants but not necessarily completely avoiding animal products.
Emphasizing plants in the diet provides health benefits and aids climate goals, regardless of total animal product exclusion.

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#127: How can babies be plant based and still meet their nutrient needs? In this episode I’m joined by Whitney English, MS, RD and Alexandra Caspero, MS, RD - two dietitians known collectively as @plantbasedjuniors.

Whitney and Alex are sharing their expertise about raising plant-based children, including how families who don’t eat animal products can introduce allergenic foods.

The Big 8 allergenic foods (the 8 foods that account for about 90% of food allergy) include 4 animal foods...and whether or not and how to feed for vegan families can be a stickler.

Listen for tips on incorporating iron and other nutrient-rich foods in your baby’s diet, even if you don’t consume animal foods. Whitney and Alex also explain the difference between predominantly plant-based and vegan lifestyles and ways to introduce allergenic foods for babies of both types of diet patterns.

Listen to this episode to learn:

Why they had second thoughts about doing baby-led weaning initially as plant-based new moms...but how they ultimately overcame their fear and stuck to a plant-based diet for their babies.
How vegan and vegetarian families can offer a variety of nutrient and iron-rich foods without relying on meat...and to get babies to actually eat their vegetables!
What steps to take if you’re considering adopting a more plant-based lifestyle for your whole family...and some easy starter family meal ideas to begin with!

Shownotes for this episode can be found here:

https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/127

Links from This Episode:

Follow Alex and Whitney on their account for Plant Based Juniors on Instagram at @plantbasedjuniors & FB page here
Check out Alex and Whitney’s new book The Plant-Based Baby and Toddler here
Check out the Plant-Based Junior’s Website here
Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro program with the 100 First Foods™ Daily Meal Plan, join here: https://babyledweaning.co/program
Baby-Led Weaning for Beginners free online workshop with 100 First Foods™ list to all attendees, register here: https://babyledweaning.co/baby-led-weaning-for-beginners

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Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS.

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Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.

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Be sure to follow @babyledweanteam on Instagram and our Baby-Led Weaning YouTube channel for more information about helping your baby transition to solid foods safely.

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If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate this show on Spotify podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive baby-led weaning community!

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