Special needs of a vegetarian diet

SPECIAL NEEDS OF A VEGETARIAN DIET

What problems usually vegetarians have?

Children in growth stage, that’s to say, from infancy to adolescence, pregnant women or infants, the elderly and people with certain diseases may have increased nutrient needs. These people are more likely to get a nutritional deficiency.

Children running with a dog

Children, and adolescents require a vegetarian diet not to get any deficiencies

In the early stages of life or in certain periods of our life our general and specific requirements are increased. The nutrients (vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids,…) which tend to generate more problems to be covered in a vegetarian diet and that we must keep in mind are the following:

  • Vitamins residing mainly or exclusively in foods of animal origin, such as vitamin D and vitamin B12, respectively.

  • The essential amino acids, They are 8 for adults and 9 for children.

  • Minerals from plant foods that are absorbed to a lesser extent than in animal foods such as calcium, iron, iodine and zinc.

  • Fatty acids of the omega 3 family, who reside mainly in oily fish, and other plant foods, although in smaller amounts.

Daily Recommendations of a vegetarian diet

It is suggested that vegetarians and vegans should provide (at least):

3 servings of legumes, nuts and seeds daily.

3 serving of vegetables a day

3 servings of fruit a day.

4 servings of calcium-rich foods.

5 servings of whole grains a day.

Essential nutrients.

*More about vegetarianism:

Health and vegetarianism.

Toxicity of meat.

Benefits of a vegetarian diet.

Disadvantages of a vegetarian diet.

punto rojo More information about vegetarianism.

This article was endorsed by Elisenda Carballido - Dietitian nutritionist. Postgraduate in Phytotherapy and master in Nutrition and Metabolism.
Editorial
Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

22 April, 2019

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