Mummy blogger Fiona Peacock, 29, from Romiley, Stockport, is raising her daughter vegan from birth (Picture: Fiona Peacock)

A British mum reveals why she is raising her child vegan.

Fiona Peacock, 29, has been feeding her toddler plant-based foods only since she was weaned off breast milk.

She says her daughter Ebony, four, is thriving, healthy and happy, and is getting all the nutrients she needs.

The Mummy blogger from Stockport became vegetarian when she was eight years old and hasn’t looked back.


‘I realised it was hypocritical to love some animals and eat others,’ she says.

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‘I didn’t know anything about factory farms or slaughter methods back then, it was just a simple solution to an eight-year-old’s ethical dilemma.



‘When I was 21, I found out about the cruelty involved in the dairy industry and decided I wasn’t doing enough to prevent animal suffering. My boyfriend (now my husband) and I decided to give veganism a try.’

Fiona admits it was tricky to start with and she was unprepared for buying food on the go for the first couple of weeks.

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‘I had no idea about all of the accidentally vegan food out there, such as crisps and biscuits and, to be blunt, I missed cheese,’ she says.

After three weeks, however, the cravings had subsided and she was knowledgeable enough to know what she could and couldn’t eat.

‘I was working at a vegan campaigning organisation, surrounded by other vegans who knew all the tricks of the trade, like how to make vegan cheesecakes and which vegan white chocolate was the best.

‘I was giving talks and cookery demonstrations in schools across the country, and learning lots about nutrition and the vegan diet.’

Four years later Fiona married Laurie, 30, a project manager, and shortly after the couple had Ebony.

Ebony has been brought up 100% vegan since birth.

Fiona with husband Laurie and their four-year-old daughter Ebony (Picture: Fiona Peacock)

‘With my husband and I both vegan, we didn’t consider raising our daughter any other way.

‘We became vegan to prevent animal suffering, but it didn’t take long for us to discover the health benefits of a plant-based diet.

‘A diet rich in meat and dairy might be normal in the Western world but there’s plenty of science highlighting the dangers in eating these foods.

‘The World Health Organisation recently warned that processed meats can cause cancer and there is some evidence that dairy products may increase the risk of cancer.’

While dairy and its link to cancer has been reported in studies, current research is varied and conflicting, with some even saying dairy protects against bowel cancer.

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But armed with this belief, the couple felt that a vegan diet would give their daughter a good start in life.



‘She would be getting plenty of vitamins, minerals, fats and protein without eating foods that we felt could be detrimental to her health,’ says Fiona.

‘It’s also a great early education in ethics, compassion and taking care of the planet. If you want your kids to be kind and compassionate, why not start at an early age?

‘Our daughter, Ebony, has just turned four, and her understanding of veganism is growing each week.

Ebony loves getting stuck in in the kitchen and is hoping to be a ballerina or a doctor (Picture: Fiona Peacock)

‘She attends a school nursery who have been fantastic, making sure she isn’t left out when the other children have sweets or cake. They even bought her some dairy-free Christmas chocolates at Christmas.

It’s important to me that Ebony doesn’t feel left out because she’s vegan, so we always take cake to birthday parties to make sure she can eat some when the other kids do.’

The family say they interact with families who are supportive of veganism and who understand the health benefits of the diet, and that they haven’t really had to overcome any hurdles, which may come as a surprise to some.

‘Our friends may not follow veganism themselves, but they can see that Ebony is thriving and happy, and that’s really all that matters,’ Fiona says.

‘We haven’t had any issues with childcare providers feeding her anything non-vegan, because the staff at her nursery have been fantastic.

‘Ebony has a varied diet. She loves fresh fruit and vegetables. Like most kids, she would happily eat pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner if left to her own devices.


‘She also loves making homemade pizza, vegan sushi, curries, vegetable pies, salads and roast dinners.

‘She has cereal for breakfast with soya milk and loves eating soya yoghurts. She loves helping in the kitchen, especially when it’s time to bake cakes or biscuits.’

Can a child really be healthy if they are brought up on a vegan diet? Sandra Hood is a specialist dietician for the NHS who runs education sessions on diabetes for patients and health professionals. She has a degree in dietetics from Leeds University and in the past she has worked as community dietitian in Yorkshire. On the health benefits for children growing up on a vegan diet File photo (Picture: PA) ‘Several studies have examined the nutrient intakes of vegan children and have found that vegan children have higher intakes of fruits and vegetables and lower intakes of saturated fat and salt. ‘This may be important in reducing the risk of developing chronic disease such as obesity and heart disease. A vegan diet is about inclusion rather than exclusion and may introduce children to a wider variety of foods than the conventional omnivorous diet.’ On what vegan parents need to keep in mind to make sure their children are getting all the right nutrients (Picture: Getty) ‘All parents want to give their child the best start in life and feeding a child a nourishing diet is an essential part of this. Raising a child as a vegan enables parents to discuss with a young one where food comes from, why they are being raised vegan and consequently instilling an appreciation and respect for food as well as embracing eating as a happy experience. ‘All nutrient needs can easily be met if a child is eating a varied diet with adequate calories for growth. ‘Young children have small stomachs and too much high fibre food may make them feel full before they get all the calories they need. ‘Foods such as avocados, nuts and seed butters, dried fruits and soya products provide concentrated source of calories. If necessary, the fibre content of the diet can be reduced by providing some refined grain products, fruit juices and peeled fruits and vegetables. Eating more frequent meals, including nutritious snacks can also help to ensure adequate calories. ‘All children up to the age of 5 years, whether vegan, vegetarian or omnivorous, should be provided with vitamin drops which contain vitamin A, C and D.’ On the important nutrients for growing children and their availability on a plant based diet Blueberry, ginger & apple with mixed seeds with rye grain ‘Adequate protein is essential for growth and development and if a child is eating a varied diet with sufficient calories they will normally be getting enough protein. Sources of protein for vegan children include pulses (peas, beans, lentils, soya), grains (wheat, oats, rice, barley, millet, pasta, quinoa, bread), nuts, seeds, meat substitutes and nut butters. ‘Calcium is an important nutrient for growing bones and teeth and sources include fortified non-dairy milks, calcium-set tofu, baked beans and dark green leafy vegetables. Iron deficiency anaemia is a common childhood nutritional problem and for vegan children good sources include whole grains, iron fortified cereals, legumes, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits. ‘All vegan children should be provided with a regular reliable source of vitamin b12 which can be taken as a supplement or found in fortified foods, eg some non-dairy milks, yeast extract and some breakfast cereals.’

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