Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Link to full report on Vegentarian Diets from yesterday

Yesterday I posted a link to the American Dietetic Associations new recommendations on Vegetarian and Vegan Diets. Someone from one of my raw food forums uploaded the full report for veiwing. There is some really great information on the studies that have been done on Vegetarian and Vegan Diets.

ADA Report on Vegetarian Diets

Monday, July 6, 2009

A step in the right direction

The American Dietetic Association has changed it's position on Vegetarian Diets. Below is the Abstract version of their report.

http://www.adajournal.org/article/S0002-8223(09)00700-7/abstract

"Volume 109, Issue 7, Pages 1266-1282 (July 2009)

Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets

Abstract

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 life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes. A vegetarian diet is defined as one that does not include meat (including fowl) or seafood, or products containing those foods. This article reviews the current data related to key nutrients for vegetarians including protein, n-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, and vitamins D and B-12. A vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients. In some cases, supplements or fortified foods can provide useful amounts of important nutrients. An evidence-based review showed that vegetarian diets can be nutritionally adequate in pregnancy and result in positive maternal and infant health outcomes. The results of an evidence-based review showed that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Features of a vegetarian diet that may reduce risk of chronic disease include lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, soy products, fiber, and phytochemicals. The variability of dietary practices among vegetarians makes individual assessment of dietary adequacy essential. In addition to assessing dietary adequacy, food and nutrition professionals can also play key roles in educating vegetarians about sources of specific nutrients, food purchase and preparation, and dietary modifications to meet their needs."