FAQ ON VEGETARIAN DIETS

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SUMMARY ANSWER

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In this FAQ the following definitions apply:

An 'omnivore' is someone whose diet includes red meat, white meat (poultry),fish, dairy products and eggs, as well as foods of plant origin. Most Australians have omnivorous diets.

'Vegetarians' all base their diets on foods of plant origin, but there are different levels of vegetarianism according to how much food of animal origin is also eaten:

A 'semi vegetarian' eats poultry and/or fish (but no red meat), dairy foods and eggs.

A 'lacto vegetarian' consumes dairy foods but no meat, fish or eggs.

A 'lacto-ovo vegetarian' includes eggs and dairy foods (but no meat or fish).

A 'vegan' eats only foods of plant origin.

For some people, vegetarianism is an integral part of their religion or philosophy. The reasons for vegetarianism are numerous and varied. Some of these commonly include a belief that vegetarian diets are healthier than the omnivorous diet; moral considerations (eg, 'animal rights'); and fewer harmful environmental effects, leading to increased 'sustainability' of the food supply.

With careful planning, there is good evidence that lacto and lacto-ovo vegetarian diets can meet the nutritional requirements of people, and in some cases may even be associated with better health than omnivorous diets. However, with the vegan there is potential for in vitamin B12 deficiency (unless special effort is made to eat food supplemented with this vitamin), and it can lead to low intakes of several other essential nutrients.

There are sound arguments for increasing production of grain foods at the expense of meat in areas where soil fertility and rainfall allow grains to be grown. However, there are marginal areas where meat--but not grain foods--can be produced. The most efficient way to provide food for the world's rapidly increasing population may be to grow more grain foods--at the expense of meat--in those areas where this is feasible, and continue to produce meat in the more marginal areas. This would require an overall reduction in meat production (and therefore of meat consumption).

It remains to be seen if a predominantly vegetarian diet, with low-moderate quantities of lean meat and moderate quantities of low- or reduced-fat dairy products, will produce the best long-term health outcome, or if strict vegetarianism is the optimal strategy for good health and longevity. Are there any vitamins or minerals that vegetarians and vegans need to be particularly aware of so that they do not develop nutrient deficiencies?

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Disclaimer: This material is provided on the basis that it constitutes advice of a general nature only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or a dietitian.