Vegan nutrition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vegan nutrition

A balanced vegan diet can be extremely healthy. Some people still have a few concerns about whether they will receive all the nutrients that they require. Read this guide and check out our sources to put your mind at ease.

PROTEIN

Protein is essential for growth, repairing tissues and protecting against infections. The American Dietetic Association states that the vegan diet provides enough protein. Protein is most concentrated in legumes (peas, beans, lentils, peanuts, soy products), but can also be found in nuts (brazils, hazels and almonds etc.) and seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame), grains (rice, wheat, oats, barley, millet, buckwheat, pasta, bread), and vegetables. Tofu and other soy products are high in protein.

VITAMIN B12

Vitamin B12 prevents permanent nerve damage (e.g., blindness, deafness, and dementia); keeps the digestive system healthy; and reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering homocysteine levels. Early deficiency symptoms sometimes include fatigue and tingling in the hands or feet. Unfortified plant foods (including seaweeds and tempeh) are not reliable sources of B12. Vegans who get a regular source of vitamin B12 through fortified foods or supplements can have even better B12 status than many non-vegans who do not supplement. B12 intake is especially critical during pregnancy, lactation, childhood, and old age. Vitamin B12 can be found in fortified foods such as soy milk and breakfast cereals.

One of the following daily recommendations should maximize B12 status:

fortified foods (in at least 2 servings, spaced 6 hours apart): 3-5 μg
1 supplement: 10-100 μg
2 supplements spaced at least 6 hours apart: 5 μg

VITAMIN D

Regulates calcium absorption and excretion, especially when calcium intake is low. Vitamin D can be made by the action of sunlight (UV rays) on skin. Light-skinned, non-elderly adults exposing their hands and face to sunlight for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times/week can get enough vitamin D. Above the 42nd Latitude (which runs through Denver, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia), vitamin D is not synthesized during the winter. Vegans who do not get much sunlight exposure should supplement with vitamin D, especially during the winter or cloudy months. Elderly people may need up to 4 times the amount of sunlight exposure listed above, and dark-skinned people may need up to 6 times this amount in order to meet vitamin D needs through sunshine alone. The Daily Value for vitamin D is 10 mcg (400 IU). If a food label says 25% of the Daily Value, it has 2.5 mcg (100 IU) per serving. Typical fortified soy, almond, or rice milk has 2-3 mcg (80-120 IU) per cup.

CALCIUM

Finally, calcium. There are many sources of calcium available to vegans — broccoli, collard greens, kale, legumes, nuts, seeds, fortified soy milk, hummus, and figs. As a child, you were probably told to drink cow’s milk for good strong bones, but studies of bone fractures have failed to show that milk protects bones and in some cases is actually associated with increased fractures. Factors that can prevent osteoporosis (a disease that makes bones brittle):  

- Weight-bearing exercise throughout one’s lifetime is one of the most important.
- Adequate calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, protein, potassium, and magnesium intakes.
- Adequate estrogen levels (for women)
- Factors that can contribute to osteoporosis:
- High sodium and caffeine intake
- Smoking

- Too much, or too little, protein

The calcium in kale, broccoli, collard greens, and soy milk are all absorbed about the same as cows’ milk. The calcium in spinach, swiss chard, and beet greens is not well absorbed due to their high content of oxalates which bind calcium. Many non-dairy milks are now fortified with calcium, vitamin D, and/or vitamin B-12. Many orange juices are fortified with calcium. The Daily Value for calcium on food labels is 1,000 mg for adults. If a food label says 25% of the daily value, it has 250 mg of calcium per serving. Vegans should ensure a good source of calcium on a daily basis. A cup or two of fortified soy milk is an excellent option.

FATS

Higher fat foods like nuts and seeds (and their butters), avocados, and small amounts of vegetable oils (especially canola and olive) should be part of a healthy diet. These foods are particularly important for meeting children’s caloric needs. A large body of scientific evidence shows that omega-3 fatty acids have antiblood-clotting, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties. Vegans can most easily obtain omega-3 fats by eating 1– 2 tsp of flaxseed oil per day. The oil may be added to warm food, but cooking will damage it. Flaxseed oil, sold in many natural food and grocery stores, should be kept refrigerated.

IODINE

Needed for healthy thyroid function, which regulates metabolism. Does not appear to be as much of a problem for U.S. vegans as it is for European vegans, whose food supply contains less iodine. In the U.S. vegans should take a modest iodine supplement on a regular basis to ensure they are meeting requirements because it’s very hard to predict how much is in any given person’s food supply. 75-100 mcg every few days should be ample. Do not take more than 150 mcg/day.

IRON

Iron-deficient anemia is probably one of the most inaccurately self-diagnosed illnesses and those who think they may be suffering from it should see a doctor. Iron deficiency symptoms include pale skin, brittle fingernails, fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing upon exertion, inadequate temperature regulation, loss of appetite, and apathy. Iron in vegetarian diets is a somewhat controversial topic because:

Vegetarians’ ferritin (the storage form of iron) levels are normally lower than non-vegetarians, even though vegetarians are no more likely to have iron deficiency anemia. Low iron stores are associated with higher glucose tolerance and therefore could prevent diabetes. High iron stores are associated with cancer, and to a lesser extent, heart disease. You do not need to worry about iron if you are otherwise healthy and eat a varied vegan diet. If you suspect an iron deficiency, see a doctor. If your doctor thinks your iron stores are too low, he/she may suggest you start eating meat (which is unnecessary) or that you take an iron supplement. Eating 100 mg of vitamin C with 2 meals a day should help cure the anemia. Iron from plants is best absorbed when consumed in conjunction with vitamin C. Vegans tend to have iron intakes at least as high as nonvegetarians.

CONSIDER A MULTIVITAMIN

Many well-respected health professionals suggest that everyone (including meat-eaters) take a modest (25-100% of the RDA) multivitamin supplement for insurance purposes. A typical multivitamin and mineral supplement will ensure an adequate source of vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iodine. The only other nutrients you would need to concern yourself with are omega-3 fatty acids and calcium. There is little chance of a deficiency of calcium, or any other food group, vitamin or mineral, as long as you eat a balanced diet and follow the recommendations above.