Which nutrients do vegetarians lack?
Asked by sherrys1979 on Oct 22, 2008
in Alternative & Integrative Nutrition
I have been a vegetarian for a couple of years and I want to know what I should be looking out for in my diet. I try to get enough protein and fiber, but what else should I be concerned about?
Answer
Animal foods are richly supplied with protein, iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B12 and so a vegetarian diet may be low in those nutrients - but not necessarily. Vegetarians usually derive abundant from eggs and milk, but there is significant protein in dried beans, soy products, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and many vegetables. Vitamin B12 does not exist in non-animal foods, but some soy milks and cereals are fortified with B12; check the label. A vegetarian may benefit from a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement. Read about vegetarian nutrition at About.com.
