2008 Woodie Awards
Vegetarian diet has good, bad points
Karrie Legget
Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: Features
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In a world of carnivores and fast food franchises there are still some faithful vegetarians out there and more than one kind.
According to Kathleen Yadrick, chair of nutrition and food systems in the College of Health, there are three different kinds of vegetarians. The vegan diet excludes all meat and animal products, the lacto-vegetarian diet includes plant foods plus dairy products and the lacto-ovo vegetarian diet includes both dairy products and eggs.
Some people who avoid eating red meat also consider themselves vegetarians.
A vegetarian lifestyle can give people all the nutrition their bodies need. It can even help with medical conditions.
Cutting out fats that are found in many animal products like butter can lower cholesterol and help with blood pressure.
A vegetarian's diet can also include dried beans, peas, grains, seeds and nuts. All this leads to very healthy eating habits.
However, vegetarians must be careful to eat a wide variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs.
According to Yadrick, there are some drawbacks to having too strict of a vegetarian diet.
"There are some vitamins and nutrients that are only found in animal foods and products and one in particular is vitamin B12," said Yadrick. "B12 is related to the health of your nervous system. Calcium is another nutrient that you have to make sure you include in your diet."
Yadrick also pointed out that parents who are vegetarians should keep in mind that the vegetarian diet isn't the best thing for growing children.
"Kids have higher nutrients needs for growth and development and putting children on a vegetarian diet is risky," she said.
The eating habits of vegetarians are not just in homes but also in dining establishments.
Those who pay close attention to some franchises menus may notice there are certain dishes made especially for vegetarians, but the dishes are few.
According the Carrie Bouchard, manager of Sweet Peppers Deli on Hardy Street, they have a sandwich made just for vegetarians.
According to Kathleen Yadrick, chair of nutrition and food systems in the College of Health, there are three different kinds of vegetarians. The vegan diet excludes all meat and animal products, the lacto-vegetarian diet includes plant foods plus dairy products and the lacto-ovo vegetarian diet includes both dairy products and eggs.
Some people who avoid eating red meat also consider themselves vegetarians.
A vegetarian lifestyle can give people all the nutrition their bodies need. It can even help with medical conditions.
Cutting out fats that are found in many animal products like butter can lower cholesterol and help with blood pressure.
A vegetarian's diet can also include dried beans, peas, grains, seeds and nuts. All this leads to very healthy eating habits.
However, vegetarians must be careful to eat a wide variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs.
According to Yadrick, there are some drawbacks to having too strict of a vegetarian diet.
"There are some vitamins and nutrients that are only found in animal foods and products and one in particular is vitamin B12," said Yadrick. "B12 is related to the health of your nervous system. Calcium is another nutrient that you have to make sure you include in your diet."
Yadrick also pointed out that parents who are vegetarians should keep in mind that the vegetarian diet isn't the best thing for growing children.
"Kids have higher nutrients needs for growth and development and putting children on a vegetarian diet is risky," she said.
The eating habits of vegetarians are not just in homes but also in dining establishments.
Those who pay close attention to some franchises menus may notice there are certain dishes made especially for vegetarians, but the dishes are few.
According the Carrie Bouchard, manager of Sweet Peppers Deli on Hardy Street, they have a sandwich made just for vegetarians.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
wordster
posted 11/28/07 @ 12:54 PM CST
The author cites Ms. Yadrick who says the vegetarian diet isn't the best thing for growing children.
Yadrick is simply wrong about this. In fact, The American Dietetic Association heartily endorses
a vegan/vegetarian diet for everyone including children. (Continued…)
Cathleen
posted 11/28/07 @ 2:50 PM CST
I agree. The person, Yaddick, obviously neglected to do some good research into the matter. There are parents out there raising their kids on a vegan diet even and doing quite, quite well. (Continued…)
Phil Os
posted 11/30/07 @ 9:37 AM CST
In fact, here's a link to a vegan kid's page with photos and stories about children who have been healthy vegans all their lives:
http://tinyurl.com/2ksdtw
Melissa
posted 12/08/07 @ 8:27 PM CST
Also, non-vegans aren't "carnivores" they're "omnivores". I don't know any human who eats ONLY meat!
Go vegan!
(By the way I get PLENTY of B12 and calcium. (Continued…)
TERRA
posted 12/11/07 @ 4:09 AM CST
habble im a veggie no meat you cant beat
woo woo i love being veggie!!!
meat sucks
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