Is it necessary to eat animal products to be healthy?

Many health organizations worldwide, including the American Dietetic Association, have affirmed that a well-planned vegan diet can be healthy. In a 2009 position paper, the American Dietetic Association indicated that:

“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. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.”  (1)

Any unbalanced, unhealthy diet may lead to health problems.  Planning and balance are important, even for vegans. It’s possible to be vegan and unhealthy, but the fact remains: you can be healthy on a well-planned vegan diet.

For further confirmation and information:

• The American Dietetic Association, see: http://www.eatright.org/about/content.aspx?id=8357
• Dietitians of Canada, see: http://www.dietitians.ca/Nutrition-Resources-A-Z/Factsheets/Vegetarian/Eating-Guidelines-for-Vegans.aspx
• British National Health Service , see: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Vegetarianhealth/Pages/Vegandiets.aspx
• The British Nutrition Foundation , see: https://www.nutrition.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=725:vegan-and-vegetarian-sp-446&catid=63&Itemid=480&showall=1&limitstart=
• The Dietitians Association of Australia, see: http://daa.asn.au/for-the-public/smart-eating-for-you/nutrition-a-z/vegetarian-diets/
• The National Institutes of Health, see: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vegetariandiet.html
• The Mayo Clinic, see: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetarian-diet/HQ01596

1. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, July 2009. 109(7): 1266- 1282.