Vegan and vegetarian diet
Some nutrients including Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B12 and Iodine can be more tricky to find in plant based foods. With these diets, more care, attention and planning will need to go into your child's meals to ensure they are getting enough of these essential nutrients. Our paediatric dietician can help navigate this with you.
What it is
Dietitian-led 60-minute consultation covering protein intake, iron, vitamin B12, omega-3, vitamin D, calcium, iodine, zinc and selenium. Particularly important for athletes, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children on plant-based diets, and people transitioning to a fully vegan diet.
When this is relevant
- Recently transitioned to vegan / vegetarian diet and want a structured nutrition review.
- Fatigue, poor exercise recovery or recurrent infections on plant-based diet.
- Pregnancy planning or pregnant on plant-based diet.
- Raising children on plant-based diet and want professional input.
- Suspected nutrient deficiency on plant-based diet (iron, B12, vitamin D).
How we investigate
24-hour and weekly food recall, bloods (FBC, ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, omega-3 index where indicated), height / weight / body composition.
Options at The Vesey
- Personalised meal plan with vegan / vegetarian recipes meeting your nutrient targets.
- Supplementation plan - typically vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 (algal); iron / calcium / zinc where indicated.
- Sports nutrition optimisation for plant-based athletes.
- Pregnancy and infant feeding guidance.
- Follow-up reviews at 3 and 6 months with repeat bloods.
Which nutrients are most commonly deficient on a vegan diet? +
The nutrients most at risk are vitamin B12 (only found naturally in animal products), vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), iodine, calcium, iron, zinc and selenium. Most can be addressed through dietary planning and targeted supplementation rather than reverting to an omnivorous diet.
Is a vegan diet safe for children? +
A well-planned vegan diet can support normal child development, but it requires more careful monitoring than an omnivorous diet. Key risks in children include B12 deficiency (which can cause irreversible neurological damage), inadequate calcium for bone development, and insufficient energy from fat. Professional dietetic input is strongly recommended.
Does everyone on a vegan diet need to take vitamin B12 supplements? +
Yes. There is no reliable plant source of bioavailable B12. All vegans — and many vegetarians depending on egg and dairy intake — should supplement with B12 cyanocobalamin. We will check your current levels at the initial consultation and prescribe or recommend an appropriate dose.
How often should blood tests be checked on a plant-based diet? +
Annually at minimum for established vegans with a well-planned diet. More frequently — at 3 and 6 months — for people who have recently switched, are pregnant, breastfeeding, raising children on a vegan diet, or have symptoms suggesting deficiency. We build a monitoring schedule into your care plan.
Pricing at a glance
Initial dietetic consultation £180 (60 minutes). Follow-up reviews £120. Comprehensive vegan / vegetarian bloods panel £190. Insurance accepted: BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix.
Book an appointment
When to book
Book if you are new to plant-based eating, have symptoms suggesting deficiency, or are pregnant / breastfeeding / raising children on a plant-based diet.
Cost and pathway
Initial dietetic consultation £180 (60 minutes). Follow-up reviews £120. Comprehensive vegan / vegetarian bloods panel £190.
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm, no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral required — book directly with our dietetics team
- Sutton Coldfield location — serving Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, Lichfield and the West Midlands
- CQC-regulated — rated 4.88/5 on Doctify from 700+ verified reviews
Sutton Coldfield · Birmingham · Walsall · Tamworth · Lichfield · West Midlands · Open 7 days 8am–8pm
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · 0121 387 3727