Holly Willoughby divides fans after suggesting babies can be raised vegan
The This Morning presenter sparked controversy
TV favourite and mum-of-three Holly Willoughby has sparked controversy by suggesting that babies can be raised vegan.
The 36-year-old, who is used to sharing the sofa with Phil Schofield, has written her second book and weaning manual.
Titled Truly Scrumptious Baby, Holly calls the book her 'complete feeding and weaning plan for 6 months and beyond'.
The mum offered the controversial advice in her new book, Truly Scrumptious Baby
In the new book, which helps parent with best ways and top tips to wean tots from six moths old, Holly writes: 'It is possible for a baby to get all the nutrients he needs from a vegan diet.'
However, she does go on to admit that for this way of eating to work it will take more planning.
The advice in her book appears to go against NHS guidelines, which suggest raising a baby as vegan should be very carefully considered.
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A lot of fans weren't happy and took to Twitter to share their outrage at the advice.
'Holly Willoughby & her vegan baby cookbook with no dietary qualifications. Potentially causing serious malnutrition harm to someone's baby', posted one fan.
However, others agreed with the TV presenter: 'Babies and children should not be eating animal products, a vegan diet done properly will not cause malnutrition or harm to anyone.'
A vegan diet contains only plants, such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits, as well as foods made from plants.
However, NHS official guidelines says parents should 'take care' if planning to turn their kids vegan as the diet can be 'bulky and high in fibre, it can mean children get full up before they've taken in enough needed calories.'
In the book, Holly advises that parents should seek advice from a dietician, but writes: 'Weaning a baby on a vegan diet does require more planning.'
'Energy density food can be a concern as vegan food is often high in fibre but not very energy dense', she adds.
Holly and husband Dan Baldwin have three children together – Harry, seven, Belle, five, and Chester, two.
What do you think? Would you ever feed your children a vegan diet? Let us know in the comments box below.
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