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A new position paper from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics affirms that vegetarian and vegan diets, when properly planned, can be nutritionally adequate and offer significant long-term health benefits. The paper, led by Sudha Raj, PhD, a professor at Syracuse University, was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Methodology
An expert panel from the academy’s Evidence Analysis Center conducted a systematic review of existing research on vegetarian and vegan dietary patterns and their health outcomes. They used rigorous, gold-standard methods to identify and summarize the evidence, ensuring comprehensive and credible findings.
Following the review, panel members addressed key professional practice areas, including how to ensure diet quality, prevent nutrient deficiencies, and facilitate vegetarian and vegan diets in various populations and settings. The position paper was subsequently approved by the academy’s Research Committee and board of directors.
Key Findings
The research confirmed that vegetarian diets, which exclude meat, poultry, and seafood, as well as vegan diets, which eliminate all animal products, can be nutritionally sufficient when appropriately planned. These diets can contribute to better health outcomes, particularly concerning cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
The paper highlights strategies for achieving balanced nutrition within plant-based diets, including guidance on essential macro and micronutrients. It also emphasizes the role of registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition professionals in helping individuals tailor their dietary choices to optimize health benefits while minimizing nutrient deficiencies.
Practical Implications
“Appropriately planned vegetarian and vegan dietary patterns can be nutritionally adequate and can offer long-term health benefits such as improving several health outcomes associated with cardiometabolic diseases,” the authors wrote.
Dietitians and healthcare providers are encouraged to support individuals in adopting well-structured plant-based diets that align with their cultural, ethical, and lifestyle preferences.
Limitations and Disclosures
Despite the positive findings, the authors acknowledge that much of the evidence reviewed was graded as low or very low quality. Additionally, there were no systematic reviews directly linking vegetarian or vegan diets to reduced risks of hypertension, obesity, or myocardial infarction.
The systematic reviews that informed the paper were funded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, its Foundation, and the Academy’s Vegetarian Nutrition dietetic practice group. One coauthor was an unpaid member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Nutrigenomix Inc. from 2013-2021, while no other conflicts of interest were reported.
Disclaimer
This article summarizes research findings and expert opinions from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. While plant-based diets can offer numerous health benefits, individuals should consult healthcare professionals before making significant dietary changes, especially those with specific medical conditions or nutritional concerns.
