Positions of medical and dietetic organizations on vegan nutrition

Veganism is an ethical movement for the moral rights of Animals and opposes their exploitation and killing.

Vegans refuse products from the exploitation of Animals for ethical reasons.

Many people still think that veganism can be dangerous to your health. But this opinion is a misconception. Dietary organizations from different countries, based on scientific research, confirm that a balanced vegan diet is safe for people of all ages and at all stages of life.

In this post, we have collected the opinions of various nutritional and medical organizations about vegan nutrition.

1) Iaso maternity — Greek Gynecology Hospital "It is a known fact that the vegan diet contributes to the smooth of pregnancy and more, by maintaining a healthy body weight, the risks of developing gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are reduced and an increased rate of undergoing a caesarean section is avoided".

https://www.iaso.gr/en/maternity-gynecology-clinic/services/maternity-clinic/vegan-maternity-care

2) Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services "With a bit of extra planning, vegetarians (vegan) can enjoy a very nutritious diet full of all the nutrients they need and low in saturated fat that can damage the heart".

https://www.health.gov.fj/eating-vegetarian/

3) Health Department of Victoria, USA "A well-balanced vegetarian or vegan diet can provide many health benefits, such as a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including:
obesity
coronary heart disease
hypertension (high blood pressure)
diabetes
some types of cancer".

Vegetarian and vegan eating - Better Health Channel

4) Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia "A person who follows a well-planned vegetarian (vegan) diet will get an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. Children can follow a vegetarian (vegan) diet; but they cannot do this without the help of adults. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should eat a balanced, varied and healthy diet to maintain their health and the health and growth of their children".

https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/HealthAwareness/EducationalContent/Food-and-Nutrition/Pages/002.aspx

5) Healthdirect Australia

"Vegetarian and vegan diets help reduce your risk of disease. They can also provide you with all the protein, minerals and most vitamins your body needs".

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vegetarian-and-vegan-diets

6) Mayo Clinic "A well-planned vegetarian (vegan) diet is a healthy way to meet the nutritional needs of people of all ages, including children, teenagers, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. The key is to be aware of your nutritional needs so that you plan a diet that meets them".

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/vegetarian-diet/art-20046446

7) Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada "It is the position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases".

https://dcjournal.ca/doi/10.3148/64.2.2003.62

8) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, office on Women's Health

"A healthy eating pattern for women who are vegetarian (vegan) is the same as for any woman. Because vegetarians (vegans) eat mostly plant-based foods, they usually get more fiber-rich foods and low-cholesterol foods than non-vegans do. But women who are vegetarians still need to make sure they are eating healthy, which includes foods with calcium and protein".

https://www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-eating/how-eat-health/vegetarian-eating

9) American Dietetic Association

"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that 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".

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002822309007007

10) Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

"People following vegan diets are less likely to develop chronic diseases, compared with other dietary groups, according to a study funded by the NIH/National Cancer Institute".

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegan-diets-reduce-risk-chronic-disease

11) Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis "Vegetarian (vegan) diets have many potential health benefits. Research shows that vegetarians (vegans) have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer".

https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/outreach/nutr-health-info-sheets/consumer-vegetarian

12) The Association of UK Dietitians

"Plant-based diets can support healthy living at every age and life stage. But as with any diet, you should plan your plant-based eating to meet your nutritional needs".

https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/vegetarian-vegan-plant-based-diet.html

13) The Norwegian Directorate of Health

"Vegetarian and vegan diets can have positive health effects (as long as you eat a balanced diet".

https://www.helsedirektoratet.no/rapporter/vegetar-og-vegankost-ekspertuttalelse-fra-nasjonalt-rad-for-ernaering/hva-er-helseeffekten-av-vegetarisk-eller-vegansk-kosthold

14) Finnish Food Authority "Carefully composed vegan diet is also suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and young people".

https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/en/foodstuffs/healthy-diet/nutrition-and-food-recommendations/vegan-diet/

15) Israeli Ministry of Health"A vegetarian (vegan) diet, wisely consumed, can provide all dietary requirements, from infancy until old age".

https://www.health.gov.il/English/Topics/Pregnancy/Childbirth/feeding/Pages/veg_babies.aspx

16) Italian Society of Human Nutrition "The evidence reviewed in this article clearly shows that well-planned vegetarian diets that include a wide variety of plant foods and a reliable source of vitamin B12 provide adequate nutrient intake".

https://www.nmcd-journal.com/article/S0939-47531730260-0/pdf

17) Portuguese Ministry of Health "When properly planned, vegetarian diets, including lacto-ovovegetarian or vegan diets, are healthy and nutritionally adequate for all life cycles, and they may be useful in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases".

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vegetarian-and-vegan-eating

18) Hardvard University "Plant-based diets offer all the necessary protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals for optimal health, and are often higher in fiber and phytonutrients".

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-a-plant-based-diet-and-why-should-you-try-it-2018092614760

19) Latvian Ministry of Health "The Ministry of Health agrees that vegetarian and vegan diets are beneficial to health, and plant-based foods can provide all essential nutrients".

https://www.tvnet.lv/4900268/veselibas-ministrija-vegetariesu-un-veganu-uzturs-ir-veseligs

20) Danish Veterinary and Food Administration
"Research has also shown that a vegetarian (vegan) diet is associated with a reduced risk of some types of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as some types of cancer".

https://foedevarestyrelsen.dk/kost-og-foedevarer/alt-om-mad/de-officielle-kostraad/kostraad-til-dig/vegetarer-og-veganere

21) Cleveland Clinic "A vegetarian (vegan) diet offers many potential health benefits.
By choosing to eat vegan to get the nutrients you need, rather than relying on animal products, you get rid of much of the saturated fat and cholesterol found in meat-based foods".

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/vegetarian