Vegetarian Diet (Adults)

What is a vegetarian diet?

A vegetarian diet is a diet that does not include meat. This includes all animal meat, poultry, and fish. People who follow a vegetarian diet are called vegetarians. Many vegetarians also do not eat other animal products such as gelatin, rennet (used in making cheese), and animal fats (often used in cooking).

Vegetarians who include eggs and dairy products in their diets are called ovo-lacto vegetarians. People who do not eat any animal products (including honey) are called vegans.

Semi- or partial-vegetarians sometimes eat meat (usually poultry or fish).

What are the advantages of a vegetarian diet?

A well-planned vegetarian diet has health advantages. By not eating meat, you consume less cholesterol and saturated fat. This may reduce your risk of heart disease, gallstones, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

All the rules for a healthy diet (such as eating a variety of foods in moderate amounts and trying to get the nutrients you need) still apply in a vegetarian diet. Ensuring you get all the nutrients you need for a healthy vegetarian diet may take more effort than having a diet that includes meat.

Will I get all the nutrients I need in a vegetarian diet?

If the diet is well planned, a vegetarian diet is safe. If a vegetarian diet is too restricted, it may be unhealthy. Some nutrients may be missing. For example, if all you eat is potato chips and all you drink is soda, or even if you eat healthy salads with whole grains and drink fruit juice, you may not be getting important nutrients such as iron and calcium.

Although it is becoming much easier to be a vegetarian due to new fortified and convenience foods such as soy milks, meat analogs (veggie burgers and dogs), and frozen entrees, vegetarians may still need to make a special effort to get enough calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12, especially as they get older. Both calcium and vitamin D absorption decrease with age. This affects bone health and increases the risk of fractures. Your ability to absorb B-12 also decreases with age. You need vitamin B-12 for normal nerve function.

Calcium: The amount of calcium in your diet may be very low if are not eating any animal products because you are eating a vegan diet. Good nondairy sources of calcium that vegans can eat are calcium fortified breakfast cereals, orange juice and soy beverages, tofu prepared with calcium (nigan), pink salmon with bones, bok choy, collard greens, blackstrap molasses, and legumes (peas, beans, lentils). Keep in mind that the calcium found in plant foods and even some fortified foods is not easily absorbed. If you are a vegan, discuss with your health care provider how you can get enough calcium. You may need to take calcium supplements.
Iron: Typical vegetarian diets usually provide enough iron. The problem with iron is that it is difficult for the body to absorb. Iron in meat, poultry, and fish is absorbed much better than iron from plants. Eating foods containing vitamin C when you eat foods that contain iron helps the body to absorb the iron better. Good nonmeat iron sources are fortified cereals, soybeans, legumes (peas, beans, lentils), potato baked with skin, spinach, blackstrap molasses, prune juice, prunes, raisins, and apricots.
Zinc: Vegetarians may need as much as 50% more zinc than nonvegetarians because zinc is not as easily absorbed from plant foods as it is from animal products. It is very important for vegetarians to include good sources of zinc in their diet. Plant foods that do contain zinc are fortified whole grains and cereals, legumes (peas, beans, lentils, peanuts), nuts and seeds, and soy foods (beans, milk, tofu, tempeh, and fortified veggie meats).
Vitamin B-6: Also known as pyridoxine, vitamin B-6 is found in legumes (peas, beans, lentils), potatoes baked with skin, banana, and fortified breads and cereals.
Riboflavin B-2: Vegans often have a lower intake of riboflavin. Good nonanimal sources of this vitamin are: fortified cereals and soy milk, almonds, asparagus, bananas, legumes, sweet potatoes, tofu, wheat germ, and enriched breads.
Vitamin B-12: Vegans need supplemental vitamin B-12 since it is available naturally only in animal products. Vitamin B-12 is added to some fortified cereals, fortified soy milk, nutritional yeasts, and some meat substitutes. It is found naturally in dairy products and eggs.
Vitamin D: Vegans often have diets that have low amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D is made in the skin when the skin is exposed to direct sunshine, so some vegetarians may need more outdoor activity or vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is added to some fortified cereals and fortified soy milk.
Omega-3 fatty acids: It is recommended that vegetarians include good sources of linolenic acid (omega 3) in their diet. Foods high in linolenic acid are flaxseed and flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnuts, soybeans, and soybean oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally found in fish and egg.

There are many nonanimal sources of protein. To start, get in the habit of having some kind of cooked beans (legumes) every day. Some examples of legumes are lentils; peanuts; split peas; pinto beans; soy (beans, tofu, tempeh); garbanzo beans; and black, white, kidney, and navy beans. One cup of cooked beans gives you the protein in 2 ounces of meat. Nuts are high in protein but also have a lot of fat compared to beans. Enjoy them in moderation. Most importantly, eat a wide variety of foods.

How do I know if I am eating healthfully?

If you are not getting enough vitamins or minerals, you may have symptoms such as:

skin rashes
a painful, swollen tongue
fatigue
irritability
pale skin
mental slowness
difficulty breathing.

Check with your health care provider if you are worried about vitamin or mineral deficiency.

Where can I get more information about vegetarianism?

Additional information on vegetarianism can be found at your local library. Several Web sites have information about vegetarian diets and vegetarian recipes. Some helpful sites include:

http://www.VRG.org

http://www.pcrm.org/health/Info_on_Veg_Diets/index.html

http://www.eatright.org.

When should I call my health care provider?

Call during office hours if:

You are not sure if your diet is adequate.
You would like more specific information about nutrition and being vegetarian.
You have other questions or concerns.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File NTR4731F.HTM Release 9.0/2006