Saturday, April 7, 2012

Vegetarianism: Are You Getting Enough Nutrients?


Vegetarianism, veganism, and the raw food diet are all the rage among today’s trendy foodies, but it is the opinion of many health experts – even some who strictly follow such diets – that special attention must be paid to getting adequate amounts of certain nutrients. Without the right knowledge concerning nutrients, adhering to a strict vegetarian, vegan or raw food diet can be a dangerous endeavor. Vegetarianism takes many forms. Some people are part-time vegetarians, eating fish on occasion. Some vegetarians include eggs and dairy. And some are vegan, abstaining from the consumption of any animal-based foods. By its nature, the raw food diet also tends to be devoid of food derived from animal sources. The choice to eat vegetarian, vegan or to eat only raw foods is often a commendable one that is based on personal spiritual convictions or ethical concerns. So the question remains: what are the critical nutrients missing from these lifestyles choices and is there any way to make up for them?

Is Anything Missing In The Vegetarian Diet?

The majority of people who are on vegetarian-type diets probably receive adequate amounts of most nutrients.
Protein is a concern for some, but legumes, seeds, nuts, and some vegetables contain both essential and non-essential amino acids. It’s safe to assume that ............read more