– Recommendations by Dietetic and Government Associations:
– American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Dietitians of Canada support vegan diets for all life stages
– Australian National Health and Medical Research Council endorses well-planned vegan diets for any age
– Various organizations like the British Dietetic Association and Mayo Clinic recognize the viability of vegan diets
– British National Health Service and British Nutrition Foundation allow for plant-based diets
– USDA permits tofu as a meat substitute in school lunch programs
– Cautionary Advice from Specific Associations:
– German Society for Nutrition advised against vegan diets for babies, children, and pregnant or breastfeeding women in 2016
– In 2020, the German Society for Nutrition maintained its stance due to insufficient data
– Danish Health Authority recommends professional dietary advice for vegan parents of young children
– National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland advocates for a well-balanced vegan diet during pregnancy with guidance from a nutritional therapist
– State of Israel Ministry of Health suggests consultation with a dietitian for vegan mothers
– Guidelines for Specific Population Groups:
– British National Health Services Eatwell Plate and USDA MyPlate allow for plant-based diets
– American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports vegan diets for older adults and athletes
– Swiss Federal Commission for Nutrition does not recommend vegan diets for pregnant women, infants, children, or older adults
– Danish Health Authority advises detailed knowledge of diet and nutritional needs for vegan parents of young children
– Portuguese Directorate-General of Health recognizes well-planned vegan diets
– Importance of Professional Guidance:
– German Society for Nutrition recommends against vegan diets for specific subpopulations due to insufficient data
– Danish Health Authority emphasizes seeking advice from licensed clinical dietitians for vegan parents
– National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland highlights the need for guidance from a nutritional therapist during pregnancy
– State of Israel Ministry of Health advises consultation with a dietitian for vegan mothers
– Norwegian Directorate for Health recognizes the viability of well-balanced vegan diets
– Recognition of Vegan Diets:
– Mayo Clinic acknowledges the viability of vegan diets
– Finnish Food Safety Authority supports well-balanced vegan diets during pregnancy
– Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada endorses vegan diets for all life stages
– Italian Society of Human Nutrition recognizes well-planned vegan diets
– Victoria Department of Health supports the viability of vegan diets
Vegan nutrition refers to the nutritional and human health aspects of vegan diets. A well-planned vegan diet is suitable to meet all recommendations for nutrients in every stage of human life. Vegan diets tend to be higher in dietary fiber, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, and phytochemicals; and lower in calories, saturated fat, iron, cholesterol, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12.
Researchers agree that those on a vegan diet should take a vitamin B12 dietary supplement.