Is a Vegetarian Diet Adequate?

Feeding and greening the world requires a fresh look at plant foodsThe current world food system is inequitable and unsustainable, and is creating huge and costly health problems.1 Of the seven billion people in the world, 1.5 billion are overweight or obese2 while almost a billion go to bed hungry each night.3 The poor are overrepresented ...

Rosemary A Stanton OAM, PhD(Hon), BSc, APD

Summary A vegetarian diet can easily meet human dietary protein requirements as long as energy needs are met and a variety of foods are eaten. Vegetarians should obtain protein from a variety of plant sources, including legumes, soy products, grains, nuts and seeds. Eggs and dairy products also provide protein for those following ...

Kate A Marsh AdvAPD, MNutrDiet, PhD · Elizabeth A Munn BSc, DipNutr · Surinder K Baines BSc(Hons), APD, PhD

Summary Vegetarians who eat a varied and well balanced diet are not at any greater risk of iron deficiency anaemia than non-vegetarians. A diet rich in wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, iron-fortified cereals and green leafy vegetables provides an adequate iron intake. Vitamin C and other organic acids enhance non-haem iron ...

Angela V Saunders BS(Dietetics), MA(Ldshp · Winston J Craig PhD, RD · Surinder K Baines BSc(Hons), APD, PhD · Jennifer S Posen MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA

Summary Well planned vegetarian diets can provide adequate amounts of zinc from plant sources. Vegetarians appear to adapt to lower zinc intakes by increased absorption and retention of zinc. Good sources of zinc for vegetarians include whole grains, tofu, tempeh, legumes, nuts and seeds, fortified breakfast cereals and dairy products. The ...

Angela V Saunders BS(Dietetics), MA(Ldshp · Winston J Craig PhD, RD · Surinder K Baines BSc(Hons), APD, PhD

Summary While intakes of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) are similar in vegetarians and non-vegetarians, intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are low in vegetarians and virtually absent in vegans. Plasma, blood and tissue levels of EPA and DHA are lower in vegetarians than in non-vegetarians, although the clinical significance ...

Angela V Saunders BS(Dietetics), MA(Ldshp · Brenda C Davis HBASc(Human Nutrition), RD · Manohar L Garg PhD, MND, MSc

Summary Vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal-based foods and is therefore a nutrient of potential concern for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Vegans, and anyone who significantly limits intake of animal-based foods, require vitamin B12-fortified foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 deficiency has several stages and may be present even ...

Carol L Zeuschner BSc, MSc, APD · Bevan D Hokin BSc, MAppSc, PhD · Kate A Marsh AdvAPD, MNutrDiet, PhD · Angela V Saunders BS(Dietetics), MA(Ldshp · Michelle A Reid BND, APD, AN · Melinda R Ramsay BMedSci, MNutrDiet

Summary Surveys over the past 10 years have shown that Australians are increasingly consuming more plant-based vegetarian meals. Many studies demonstrate the health benefits of vegetarian diets. As with any type of eating plan, vegetarian diets must be well planned to ensure nutritional needs are being met. This clinical focus project shows that ...

Michelle A Reid BND, APD, AN · Kate A Marsh AdvAPD, MNutrDiet, PhD · Carol L Zeuschner BSc, MSc, APD · Angela V Saunders BS(Dietetics), MA(Ldshp · Surinder K Baines BSc(Hons), APD, PhD

It is not only what a diet excludes, but what it includes, that shapes health outcomes. This article is a practical guide for doctors to help them advise patients on nutrient-rich foods, which should form the basis of all types of plant-based diets. Of the recognised types of plant-based diets (Box 1), the most widely ...

Sue Radd BSc(Nutr), GradDipDiet · Kate A Marsh AdvAPD, MNutrDiet, PhD