Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets

Abstract

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes. A vegetarian diet is defined as one that does not include meat (including fowl) or seafood, or products containing those foods. This article reviews the current data related to key nutrients for vegetarians including protein, n-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, and vitamins D and B-12. A vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients. In some cases, supplements or fortified foods can provide useful amounts of important nutrients. An evidence- based review showed that vegetarian diets can be nutritionally adequate in pregnancy and result in positive maternal and infant health outcomes. The results of an evidence-based review showed that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Features of a vegetarian diet that may reduce risk of chronic disease include lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, soy products, fiber, and phytochemicals. The variability of dietary practices among vegetarians makes individual assessment of dietary adequacy essential. In addition to assessing dietary adequacy, food and nutrition professionals can also play key roles in educating vegetarians about sources of specific nutrients, food purchase and preparation, and dietary modifications to meet their needs.

Diet-Dependent Net Endogenous Acid Load of Vegan Diets in Relation to Food Groups and Bone Health-Related Nutrients: Results from the German Vegan Study

“…The fact that mean calcium intake in vegans was about 16% below the DRI recommendations, which is in accordance with other studies [61,63], seems to be problematic with respect to bone health. However, based on the findings of several meta-analyses of observational as well as interventional studies [64,65], the optimal calcium intake for bone health in adults is not well known.…”

“…Accordingly, the marginal vitamin D content of vegan diets is only relevant if sun exposure is low. In this case, vegans should take vitamin D supplements [35,61]. With respect to multiple health outcomes, including bone health, a serum 25-OHD level of about 75–110 nmol/l (corresponding to oral doses in the range of 45–100 µg vitamin D/day) seems to be optimal [62].…”

Personality Profiles, Values and Empathy: Differences between Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarians and Vegans

“…Vegetarianism is defined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a nutrition excluding all meat and seafood products [1]. However, controversy on its exact definition and the definitions of its various subgroups (e.g., lacto-ovo-vegetarian, vegan) continues [2,3,4,5].…”

Five Decades: From Challenge to Acclaim

“…Yet as research accumulated, dietetic associations could state in position papers "Well planned vegan and other types of vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle" and that such diets "…provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases" [13,14]. I am a co-author of position papers on vegetarian nutrition for Dietitians of Canada and for the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and I assure you, these documents are the most difficult things I ever have done.…”