Vegetarian & vegan diets are healthy, but you already knew that!
July 24th, 2009 by admin
The American Dietetic Association, “the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals,” has updated its position statement on vegetarian/vegan diets:
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“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 lifecycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.”
The position paper further states that a vegetarian diet can meet daily requirements for key nutrients, including protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins D and B-12 (although supplements or fortified foods are helpful). The ADA further concluded that a vegetarian diet is associated with lower overall cancer rates, a lower risk of death from heart disease, and that vegetarians have lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians.
The complete position paper can be found in the July issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.