The 9 Key Nutrients Every Vegetarian Needs to be Healthy

Many people choose a vegetarian or vegan diet for ethical reasons such as preventing cruelty towards animals. Some people become vegetarians because the production of animal products for food is bad for the environment. Others choose the vegetarian diet for health reasons. Whatever the reason… About 10% of the population in the western world are some form of vegetarian or vegan and that number is climbing. A vegetarian diet can provide all the nutrients that the body needs to be healthy, but there are certain nutrients that need extra attention to ensure that you are getting the amounts that your body requires. Generally, vegetarians and vegans cut out the consumption of animal proteins from their diets, however, there are different variations of vegetarians and vegans who define their eating preferences. For example: Pescatarian – a vegetarian who eats fish Lacto-vegetarian – a vegan who eats dairy Ovo-vegetarian – excludes all animal products except eggs Lacto-Ovo vegetarian – both eggs and dairy are permitted Pollotarian – only poultry is allowed Fruitarians – eat only fruits, nuts and seeds Vegan –won’t eat any animal product (including honey). Flexitarians – people who rarely eat fish and meat The type of vegetarian a person is will determine which nutrients they have to focus on to ensure they are meeting their body’s daily needs. This article will walk you through a number of essential nutrients that vegetarians need to be mindful of in order to maintain a balanced and healthy diet. The 9 Key Nutrients Every Vegetarian Needs to be Healthy #1. Protein There are many plant-based sources of protein. If you are a Lacto-Ovo vegetarian (who eats eggs and dairy) it is easy to get enough protein in your diet. But if you don’t eat eggs or dairy it is simple to swap […]

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