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Cited by 414Nutritional Studies and DietAgriculture Sustainability and Environmental ImpactNutrition, Health, and Society Studies

Position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada: Vegetarian diets

·2003·Journal of the American Dietetic Association
DOI 10.1053/jada.2003.50142
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Abstract

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Approximately 2.5% of adults in the United States and 4% of adults in Canada follow vegetarian diets. A vegetarian diet is defined as one that does not include meat, fish, or fowl. Interest in vegetarianism appears to be increasing, with many restaurants and college foodservices offering vegetarian meals routinely. Substantial growth in sales of foods attractive to vegetarians has occurred, and these foods appear in many supermarkets. This position paper reviews the current scientific data related to key nutrients for vegetarians, including protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, vitamin A, n-3 fatty acids, and iodine. A vegetarian, including vegan, diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients. In some cases, use of fortified foods or supplements can be helpful in meeting recommendations for individual nutrients. Well-planned vegan and other types of vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Vegetarian diets offer a number of nutritional benefits, including lower levels of saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein as well as higher levels of carbohydrates, fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and phytochemicals. Vegetarians have been reported to have lower body mass indices than nonvegetarians, as well as lower rates of death from ischemic heart disease; vegetarians also show lower blood cholesterol levels; lower blood pressure; and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer. Although a number of federally funded and institutional feeding programs can accommodate vegetarians, few have foods suitable for vegans at this time. Because of the variability of dietary practices among vegetarians, individual assessment of dietary intakes of vegetarians is required. Dietetics professionals have a responsibility to support and encourage those who express an interest in consuming a vegetarian diet. They can play key roles in educating vegetarian clients about food sources of specific nutrients, food purchase and preparation, and any dietary modifications that may be necessary to meet individual needs. Menu planning for vegetarians can be simplified by use of a food guide that specifies food groups and serving sizes.

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Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. [8]8. The Vegetarian Resource Group. How many teens are vegetarian? How many kids don't eat meat? Available at: http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2001jan/ 2001janteen.htm. Accessed February 10, 2003.
  2. [11]11. Ginsberg C, Ostrowski A. The market for vegetarian foods. Vegetarian J. 2002;4:25-29.
  3. [12]12. The Vegetarian Resource Group. How many people order vegetarian foods when eating out? Available at: http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj99sep/ 999scientific.htm. Accessed February 10, 2003.
  4. [76]76. Remer T. Influence of diet on acid-base balance. Semin Dial. 2000;13: 221-226.
  5. [81]81. Moloney FJ, Collins S, Murphy GM. Sunscreens: Safety, efficacy and appropriate use. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2002;3:185-191.
  6. [91]91. Luhby AL, Cooperman JM, Donnenfeld AM, Herman JM, Teller DN, Week JB. Observations on transfer of vitamin B 12 from mother to fetus and newborn. Am J Dis Child . 1958;96:532-533.
  7. [94]94. Herbert V. Staging vitamin B12 (cobalamin) status in vegetarians. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;59:1213S-1222S.
  8. [117]117. Fulton JR, Hutton CW, Stitt KR. Preschool vegetarian children. J Am Diet Assoc. 1980;76:360-365.

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Venue
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2003-06
Volume
103
Issue
6
Pages
748-765
ISSN
0002-8223 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1053/jada.2003.50142
OpenAlex
W2298768444
Cited by
414
References
237
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 22
FWCI
17.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of the American Dietetic Association (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Nutrition, Health, and Society Studies
Keywords
vegetarian diet, vegan diet, nutritional adequacy, proteins, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, fortified foods, dietary supplements, disease prevention, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, body mass index, meal planning, food guide, dietetics practice
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Canada, Child, Child, Preschool, Chronic Disease, Dietary Proteins, Dietetics, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Minerals, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Nutritional Requirements, Pregnancy, Societies, United States, Diet, Vegetarian, Vitamins, Nutrition Policy

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