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Vitamin B12

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Needed for:

Improves children’s growth rates and increases energy. It keeps nerves and blood cells healthy, and helps make DNA. It can also help prevent a type of anemia.

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Recipes rich in Vitamin B12:

French toast
Kale and basil pesto pasta
Almond milk muffins

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Recommended Daily Intake:

– Birth to 6 months: .30 mcg
– 6-12 months: .50 mcg
– 1-3 years: .70 mcg

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Found in:

Vitamin B12 is the only nutrient that is naturally occurring in animal products only. That doesn’t mean you have to eat meat to have a diet rich in B12, however. Many plant-based milks are fortified with Vitamin B12, as are some pastas, breads, and nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast that has been fortified with B12 is a great addition to many recipes — it has a cheesy or nutty taste that is a tasty alternative to cheese found in many recipes.

Parents raising vegan babies may want to consider adding a Vitamin B12 supplement to their child’s diet, but by offering your baby enough B12-fortified foods, it is not always necessary.

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