Vegetarian Diets

Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Vegetarian Diets • What is a vegetarian diet? • A vegetarian diet • excludes meat, • poultry, and fish. National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

How common is it to be a vegetarian in America? Nearly 5 million American adults 3% of youth ages 8 to 18 years Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Why do people choose to eat vegetarian diets? Religion Heritage Personal philosophy Health Economics Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Do all vegetarians eat the same food choices? The answer is, it depends on the specific vegetarian diet. Three main vegetarian diets Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Lacto Vegetarian Vegan Vegetarian Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians eat: Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Legumes, Nuts, and Seeds Milk and Milk Products (lacto) Eggs (ovo) Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Lacto Vegetarians eat: Similar to Lacto-ovo diet, except does not include eggs. Baked items and pastas may need to be prepared differently. Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Vegans eat: Only plant-based foods No animal products Strict vegans avoid honey and products made with animal by-products, such as gelatin. Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

What are the health and nutrition benefits of vegetarian diets? Health Benefits include: Lowers blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels Reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke Lowers body mass index (BMI) Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Nutrition Benefits include: Higher intakes of some vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients Lower intakes of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Are there nutrients of concern for vegetarian diets? Nutrition Concerns–Protein Quantity Can a vegetarian diet provide enough protein? Lesson Activity–Protein Predictions Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Vegetarian DietsLesson Activity–Protein Predictions • Teen males need 52 grams protein • Adult males need 56 grams MixedLacto-OvoVegan • 74 grams 63 grams 61 grams • H M L National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Do vegetarian diets provide quality protein? Animal proteins are complete Plant-based proteins are incomplete Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Complementary Proteins–combine to make complete proteins Vegetarian Diets Grains Legumes Vegetables Nuts/Seeds National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Vegetarian Diets Pizza Sauce and Crust Cheese Grain and Vegetable Both incomplete protein sources from plant-based foods. Milk (Lacto) Complete protein from an animal source. National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Physical Activity BoosterThe Perfect Complement National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Nutrient of Concern–Adequate Calories Adequate calories are needed to assure protein needs are met. Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Nutrient of Concern–Iron Plant foods have non-heme iron. Serve vitamin C rich foods with plant sources of iron. Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Nutrient of Concern–Calcium Check milk substitutes to assure they are fortified with calcium and other nutrients found in milk. Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Nutrient of Concern–Vitamin B-12 Vitamin B-12 is only found in animal foods. Vegan diets need supplements of B-12. Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Other Nutrients of Concern Vitamin D Zinc Iodine Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

According to the American Dietetic Association position paper on vegetarian diets, “…appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals in all stages of the life cycle…” Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Dietary Guidelines for Americans Food Groups to Encourage Whole grains Vegetables Fruits Legumes Low fat and fat-free milk/milk products Vegetarian Diets National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Vegetarian Diets Are vegetarian diets a special nutrition need? What tools do school nutrition programs have to meet the preferences of students that want a vegetarian meal? National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Vegetarian DietsTaste Activity National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Post-Quiz National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

End of Lesson 6 National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi

Vegetarian Diets