A couple who allegedly kept their 20-month-old daughter on a strict vegan diet, which left her malnourished and suffering rickets, have pleaded not guilty to child neglect.

The 31-year-old woman and 33-year-old man appeared at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday, charged with reckless grievous bodily harm and failing to provide for a child, causing danger of serious injury.

The 33-year-old man and 31-year-old woman faced Waverley court on Wednesday over charges of child neglect. Credit:Lucy Cormack

The couple was arrested at a home in Sydney's eastern suburbs last Friday and given strict conditional bail over allegations they fed the child a strict vegan diet, which was severely deficient in nutrients required for her to thrive.

It is understood the child was acutely deficient of vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc and iron.