A step in the right direction - American Dietetic Association updated position on vegan and vegetarian diets. (FULL VERSION now attached)

For those who like to read. Check out the full version PDF attached.

The American Dietetic Association has updated its position paper on vegan and vegetarian diets. Here's the abstract and, attached, the complete paper.

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

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.

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ADA Position on Vegetarian Diets.pdf, 629 KB

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Permalink Reply by Andrew on July 7, 2009 at 11:09am

"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."

Wow...I'm actually surprised they say people can meet B12 needs. Usually even vegan doctors won't go that far.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on July 8, 2009 at 12:48am

I think they were referring only to vegetarians who get all that B12 from dairy and enriched foods.

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Permalink Reply by Cam on July 7, 2009 at 5:52pm

My pleasure Michele ;)

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Permalink Reply by Kasey on July 7, 2009 at 1:45pm

"supplements or fortified foods can provide useful amounts of important nutrients"

He's talking about vegans getting their b12 from fortified soy milks and stuff. We're still screwed if we don't eat that crap lol.

Plus, I had a dream last night that durianrider was tellin people that he decided to take a b12 supplement cause he needed it. My dreams are always 100% accurate ; ).

I take one sometimes, my blood tests showed high b12 so maybe I don't even need it. Just bein safe.

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Permalink Reply by DURIANRIDER on July 7, 2009 at 8:05pm

i recomend if b12 is a concern for peeps they should try a supplement and if they feel amazing afterwards then they likely had a problem..

ive had digestive issues all my life till until going 100% raw vegan.we know digestive issues impair b12 production and absorption. perhaps my low b12 is ok and natural or perhaps im performing in spite of it..time will tell. the last time i popped a b12 supp was back in 2000 maybe..before i was vegan. ALL of my bike racing friends do b12 shots or tabs..

if a fasting patient is going ga ga from refusing to drink or break their fast, id slap em in hospital on a drip. if someone needs a b12 shot cos they have a real b12 issue from lack of instrinsic factor, then id encourage supplementation.

when it comes to saving lives and improving life quality, lets do whatever it takes...

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Permalink Reply by Kristina on July 7, 2009 at 8:59pm

:-) Thank you for your well reasoned words. I was just re-reading DG's thoughts on supplementation in The 80/10/10 Diet last night, and he said the very same thing. Supplementing over a short period of time should be done to correct nutritional imbalances. He also made it a point to precise that a truly healthy individual would have no need for supplementation.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on July 8, 2009 at 12:42am

I have seen that quote before and usually, when someone uses it, I say "If God wanted us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made it such a gross food to consume raw"

Either that or "There is no God"

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Permalink Reply by Ben on July 8, 2009 at 1:10am

Also, to the OP, can you attach a text document of the paper? I can't access it.

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Permalink Reply by Cam on July 8, 2009 at 3:34am

I attached the full PDF version now.

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Permalink Reply by ednshell on July 8, 2009 at 3:45am

Thanks very much for this. I am writing to as many people and organizations as I can to let them know about this and see if they can update their info. accordingly.