There is no shortage of reasons to consume a vegan diet. A recent study of 48,000 people found that people who eat vegan and vegetarian diets have a lower risk of heart disease. This research found that those who didn’t eat meat had 10 fewer cases of heart disease per 1,000 people when compared with meat-eaters in the study.

People who lower their intake of animal products tend to score better on health markers with benefits like better cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure, which are both major risk factors for heart disease.

With all these clear benefits, transitioning to a plant-based, vegan diet is a no-brainer for many adults. But what about children?

» Explore yummy and nutritious plant-based formulas for your little ones

Children and Vegan Products

Children can also benefit from a plant-based diet. You can also help them transition into this lifestyle with a vegan kids' nutritional drink or smoothie. These healthy beverages are one of the best ways to deliver essential nutrients to your child while helping them expand their palate and even discover the joys of a plant-based lifestyle.

» Discover why plant-based toddler nutrition is so healthy

Brightly colored vegan nutrition shakes and smoothies with fun themes can help your child fall in love with a plant-based diet. A spinach or rocket-packed "Hulk Smoothie" or a whimsical "Unicorn Shake" topped with vegan coconut whipped cream will definitely win you some parenting points with your kids—and some nutrition points with their little tummies.

» Explore more nutritious shakes for kiddos

Below, we’ll break down our top three reasons to offer your child a vegan nutrition shake for their next breakfast or midday snack.



1. More Control Over Allergies

Unfortunately, allergies are a growing problem for children. Nearly 5% of children under the age of five have food allergies. Notably, almost 90% of all food allergies are caused by only eight foods. These foods are:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Soy 
• Tree nuts
• Peanuts
• Fish 
• Shellfish

Egg, milk, and peanuts are the most common food allergies in children, while peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish often cause the most severe reactions. Interestingly enough, half of these common allergens, including two of the three most common allergens, can be eliminated with a vegan diet (milk, eggs, fish, and shellfish).

» Here's how to safely iintroduce allergens to your baby

Food allergies have widespread nutritional implications, including the loss of essential foods from the diet and, subsequently, the loss of micro and macronutrients. Additionally, undiagnosed or poorly managed allergies could result in decreased nutritional intake, which, in turn, negatively affects health.

To turn this narrative on its head, a vegan nutrition shake can offer your child the vitamins and minerals they need to thrive while giving parents full control over their child’s food allergies.

» Explore why a plant-based diet is ideal for allergy management in kids

2. Soothing Sensitive Stomachs

Even children without allergies can experience food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, one of the most prevalent in the world. In fact, experts suggest that 68% of the world’s population suffers from lactose malabsorption (a prerequisite of lactose intolerance). In the U.S., that number is around 36%. 

» Here's how to tell if your toddler is lactose intolerant

Lactose intolerance involves a long list of symptoms that can leave your child feeling miserable. These unpleasant side effects tend to worsen if your child consumes a higher frequency of lactose. Symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Watery diarrhea
• Gas

It’s important that lactose-intolerant children still receive enough essential nutrients like calcium. This is where a vegan nutrition shake can be a tummy-saver for parents. Plant-based shakes made from healthy base ingredients, like almond, rice, hemp, and oat milk, offer kids who are lactose intolerant the ability to ingest the nutrients they need to play all day long, upset-stomach-free.

» Find out if toddlers can outgrow milk allergy

3. Benefit the Environment From a Young Age

In addition to its numerous health benefits, a vegan diet can also benefit the earth! Some studies have shown that vegan diets usually have significantly lower carbon, water, and ecological footprints than non-plant-based diets. Introducing plant-based alternatives like vegan nutrition shakes can help your children learn about their ability to positively impact the world.

Children look to their parents to learn about the world and their place in it. If animal advocacy and environmental protections are important to you, you can use these personal values to teach your children about empathy, personal responsibility, and more—all through delicious, nutritious shakes.

» Explore the nutritional challenges of kids' balanced diet parents face

Reimagining Your Child’s Nutrition with Something Else

From food allergies to sensitive stomachs to environmental ethics, there are many reasons you might want your child to have a plant-based diet. 

If you’ve yet to make the transition, vegan shakes are a great place to start.

Make them a shake disguised as a tasty chocolate “milkshake” with almond milk, cacao powder, spinach, peanut butter, and a little honey. With tasty chocolate treats like these, they’ll soon fall in love with a plant-based diet, too.

» Understand if protein shakes are good for kids

At Else, we care deeply about your child’s nutrition. That’s why we've created alternatives to dairy-based nutrition for babies, toddlers, and kids. Else products are clean, USDA organic, and free of dairy, soy, gluten, corn syrup, and GMOs.

» Discover how Else Nutrition’s plant-based formula is made

Additionally, we at Else Nutrition ensure that vegan nutritional shakes include all the needed nutrients, such as protein, healthy fats, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B-12. For those who want a vegan meal replacement shake that is low in sugar, Else is a delicious option!

Only the best for your little ones. Only something Else.