ADA Concludes: Vegetarian Diets OK

The American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) July 1st update on their position regarding vegetarian diets may surprise some, but at a time when most of us are keeping a close eye on our wallets, becoming more aware of the environmental costs of factory farming and looking for ways to prevent and control disease through nutrition, or just on the quest for optimal health, the ADA’s conclusions praising vegetarianism could not have come at a better time. The July 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association features the updated stance on vegetarianism, including total vegetarian or vegan diets. Based on the paper published by Andrew University and the Vegetarian Resource Group, the update concludes that vegetarian diets, if appropriately planned are, “healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases…[and] are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes.” The ADA Evidence Analysis of vegetarian diets specifically points to the adequacy of vegetarian diets in pregnancy- resulting in positive maternal and infant health outcomes, the association with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease, cancer-protective factors, osteoporosis, and the role that fruits, vegetables, soy products, protein, calcium, vitamins D and K, and potassium play in bone health...

The American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) July 1st update on their position regarding vegetarian diets may surprise some, but at a time when most of us are keeping a close eye on our wallets, becoming more aware of the environmental costs of factory farming and looking for ways to prevent and control disease through nutrition, or just on the quest for optimal health, the ADA’s conclusions praising vegetarianism could not have come at a better time.

The July 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association features the updated stance on vegetarianism, including total vegetarian or vegan diets. Based on the paper published by Andrew University and the Vegetarian Resource Group, the update concludes that vegetarian diets, if appropriately planned are, “healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases…[and] are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes.”

The ADA Evidence Analysis of vegetarian diets specifically points to the adequacy of vegetarian diets in pregnancy- resulting in positive maternal and infant health outcomes, the association with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease, cancer-protective factors, osteoporosis, and the role that fruits, vegetables, soy products, protein, calcium, vitamins D and K, and potassium play in bone health.

Generally, the ADA concludes that, “vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids and other phytochemicals,” all possible explanations for some of the health advantages of a varied and balanced vegetarian diet.

If you are considering switching to a vegetarian diet, ADA advises consulting a registered dietician, who can help you plan, provide information and also help modify your diet to meet personal health needs. You can visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org.