How best to define 'natural'

The subject was child abuse. Not a topic one would normally chose to start off a coffee klatch, but nonetheless...topical. One of the more fanatical in the group said that she would charge with child abuse anyone that fed their child sugar...any sugar at all. When asked to expound on the harm likely to befall a child with a moderate amount of sugar in the diet she replied that she didn't know exactly, but it was 'bad' for you and wasn't 'natural'. Another proffered the argument that anyone who didn't follow Canada's Food Guide in the care and feeding of her child was being abusive. Now hold on! The friendly conversation pretty soon disintegrated into a wild argument about the parents' rights to feed a child anything they want (except poison) as long as they don't withhold food from him/her for reasons of punishment or torture.

Coincidentally, I had recently been told that public health nurses were receiving an increasing number of requests for information on vegetarian diets in childhood. Apparently quite a few parents are raising their children in the vegetarian mold and are concerned about the nutritional status of their veggie-munching off-spring. Generally speaking the lacto-ovo vegetarian child is not at special nutritional risk, although iron adequacy is questionable for some. The problem comes when the child is on a strict or 'vegan' diet. On this regimen all animal products including eggs, milk and other dairy products are excluded resulting in the possibility of a deficiency in energy, vitamin D, vitamin B 12, calcium, iron, zinc, and the high-quality protein required for growth.

Among children in vegan families rickets has been observed frequently and dietary intake records have shown marginal intakes of calcium phosphorus and vitamin D in the children. Salt, of course, is not an animal food, but many vegans insist on only sea salt at their table...which is fine, except that this salt isn't iodized and hence the risk of goiter rises. Insufficient intake of the essential amino acids needed for protein synthesis (while achievable when complementary sources of protein are offered), as well as a plain old deficiency in calories can significantly hamper the growth of a child. This information is frequently met with the response that bigger isn't necessarily better. Possibly.

Studies have shown that the breast-fed infants of vegan mothers appear to develop at the average rate (although some have developed severe anemia due to B 12 deficiency when moms were long-term vegans), but lagged behind the growth of omnivorous children when their restricted solids were introduced. Most parents that are 'into' vegetarianism have read up on the subject and feel that they're qualified to judge the adequacy of their child's diet. Up to a point they probably are. The case of calcium and iron, however, is a good example of where they may err. Nutrient composition tables will show that most dark green leafy vegetables are good sources of these minerals. What they don't show is the high content of oxalic acid carried by these veggies. Normally oxalic acid doesn't pose too great a threat. When the diet is low in minerals form other sources, however, the propensity of oxalic acid to combine with these elements to form insoluble, unabsorbable salts becomes a problem.

Similarly, if the diet is very high in unrefined grains and unleavened bread, as is frequently the case (pita, especially whole grain, is very 'in') then the phytic acid contained therein may serve to rob the diet of available calcium and iron, not to mention zinc. Next, consider if you will, the logistical problem of delivering adequate energy to an individual when the vehicle is a high-bulk, low-calorie foodstuff like broccoli and the receptor is the tiny tummy of a four year old, or even 10 year old for that matter. It's just plain difficult to pack enough calories in with low energy foods...as any dieter will tell you. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number of adults belonging to groups that advocate extremely restrictive diets and also the avoidance of specific medical services like vaccinations. Concern for their children is increasing as well.