Alicia Silverstone has been an outspoken advocate for veganism for years, even writing a book in 2011 called The Kind Diet that explains why she chose a plant-based way of eating that doesnt include meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs. Now, the Clueless actress is discussing her decision to feed her 6-year-old son, Bear Blu, a vegan diet, too.

Knowing the truth about where our food comes from is just so disturbing to me, she says in a video for the non-profit Farm Sanctuarys Compassionate Meals program, as she and Bear eat veggie burgers and kale salad. Once you see it, theres no way to go back from that for me. Bear is also asked what his favorite thing about being a vegan is. His response: That you dont have to eat yucky meat.

Silverstone says its easy for her to feed Bear vegan foods, and she regularly makes easy-to-assemble meals like tacos and stir-fries. I can make all those things based on whats in the fridge, she says. You always have a bean, you always have a whole grain. Silverstone says being vegan has turned me into a health nut because you feel so good, you feel so different, adding, being able to do something that is good for the Earth, good for the animals, and good for you all at the same time seems like such a no-brainer. Its like the biggest Duh!'

According to a 2016 Harris Interactive Poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group about 3.7 million American adults identify as vegan . But the decision to put children on a vegan diet frequently comes under fire.

A law proposed in Italy in 2016 would make it illegal for parents to put their children on a vegan diet, which lawmakers referred to as "a diet devoid of elements essential for healthy and balanced growth," per Reuters . The proposed law came after several high-profile cases in the country involving undernourished children on vegan diets. In one case, a 1-year-old on a vegan diet only weighed as much as a 3-month-old and, in another, a father alleged that his 12-year-old sons growth was stunted due to a vegan diet chosen by the boys mother.

Silverstone has faced criticism in the past for feeding Bear a vegan diet, and she told People in 2014 that her son loves the food I give him. Hes not being deprived of anything. For him, having amazing fruit is like candy.

Some people claim that children who are raised on a vegan diet wont get enough nutrients they need to grow into strong adults, while others say it simply encourages healthy eating in children.

So, is it a good idea to feed kids a vegan diet? Ashanti Woods, M.D., a pediatrician at Baltimores Mercy Medical Center, tells SELF that it depends. Children who consume a vegan diet are generally as healthy, if not more healthy, than children who have a normal diet, he says. Dr. Woods points out that there are various lay definitions of vegetarianism and veganism , but pediatricians pay special attention to true vegans, i.e., those who swear off all animal products. The more restrictions on a diet, the more pediatricians become concerned because these children are at risk for nutritional deficiencies, he says.

When done properly, vegan diets can be a step up from the standard American diet, Dana Simpler, M.D., a primary care practitioner at Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center, tells SELF. Dr. Simpler says that peopleand childrendont need animal protein in their diet provided that theyre getting all their important minerals and nutrients.

The key is having a diet that is well thought out, Lauren Fiechtner, M.D., M.P.H., Director of Nutrition at MassGeneral Hospital for Children in the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, tells SELF. If the diet is well-planned and monitored by a registered dietitian, this can be safe for children, she says. Worth noting: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are healthy for infants and toddlers.

In the long-term, vegetarian and vegan diets have been linked with lower cholesterol levels, a lower risk of heart disease , a lower risk of high blood pressure, and lower risk of type 2 diabetes, Dr. Fiechtner says. Theyre also a good way to promote eating enough fruits and vegetables. In the United States, most children do not meet their goal intake of five servings of fruits or vegetables per day, and so this could also be a benefit, she says.

There are also other potential benefits. Lauren Blake, an R.D. at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF that vegetarian and vegan teens typically eat more fiber , iron, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C than their meat-eating counterparts. They also tend to eat fewer sweets, fast foods, and salty snacks.

This is why Dr. Woods urges parents of his patients who are on a vegan diet to be mindful that their children get enough of certain nutrients, including vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Low levels of iron can lead to anemia , low calcium and vitamin D levels can cause poor bone health, and low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to neurologic complications in severe cases, Dr. Woods says. Dr. Fiechtner points out that vegan diets are low in omega-3 fatty acids , which are commonly found in fish or eggs. Failure to have enough of these fatty acids has been linked to poor cardiovascular health, as well as issues with eye and brain development. To meet the gaps in a vegan childs diet, Dr. Simpler recommends vitamin supplementation.

Children on a vegan diet are also at risk of not taking in enough daily calories, which is why Dr. Woods recommends that vegan children eat three snacks a day in addition to three meals a day.

Overall, experts say its fine to raise children on a vegan diet, provided youre mindful that theyre getting everything they need. It just takes an effort, Dr. Woods says. If you have questions about putting your child on a vegan diet, get in touch with their pediatrician or a registered dietitian who can help steer you in the right direction.

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Alicia Silverstone: Feeding My Son a Vegan Diet Is a 'No Brainer' - SELF