Health Topics for Nutrition

Vegetarian diets

Many people choose a vegetarian lifestyle. Some do so because of their love of animals. For others, it may be out of concern for the environment, religious reasons, or an effort to enhance their health. People who choose to become vegetarians tend to take on other healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as regular exercise, reduced alcohol consumption, and avoidance of smoking.

Vegetarian diets that are low in fat, especially saturated fat and cholesterol, and high in plant foods have a lower risk of:

• some forms of cancer
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• diabetes and
• obesity

Vegetarian diet plans include the following:

• Semi-vegetarians eat all foods, but avoid red meat.
• Lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat all fruits, vegetables, and grains as well as eggs, milk, and other dairy products. They do not eat meat, fish, or poultry.
• Ovo-vegetarians eat all plant foods and eggs. They do not eat meat, fish, poultry, milk, or other dairy products.
• Lacto-vegetarians eat all plant foods, as well as milk and other dairy products. They do not eat meat, fish, poultry, or eggs.
• Pesco-vegetarians eat all plant foods, fish, dairy, and eggs. They do not eat red meat.
• Vegans eat only plant foods, predominantly fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Eating a vegetarian diet can lead to improved health when food choices are healthy ones. Unfortunately, some people change to a vegetarian diet, yet, continue to make bad food choices, by eating large amounts of junk foods and little variety of foods.

A vegetarian diet can be nutritionally adequate, as long as it is appropriately planned. Vegetarians who do not consume any meat or dairy products can become deficient in certain nutrients, such as iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B-12. It is important to include other food sources of these nutrients in the diet, such as fortified foods or add a daily supplement. Vitamin B-12 supplement may be needed for vegetarians who do not eat animal foods.

Last Reviewed 2005

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.

HIL File NUTR4839.RF2 VRS# 6986 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999, 2002-2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.