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.
Recipes rich in Vitamin B12:
French toast
Kale and basil pesto pasta
Almond milk muffins
Recommended Daily Intake:
– Birth to 6 months: .30 mcg
– 6-12 months: .50 mcg
– 1-3 years: .70 mcg
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.
Dairy Sources:
Found in dairy (cow’s milk)
Eggs
