Health
Vegan diets can be perfectly healthy for all stages of life. Below is a collection of policy statements of the major dietetic organizations. They are all based on peer-reviewed literature and these organizations risk being sued over what they say in these documents, so they are being conservative. They are about as close to a representation of scientific consensus as you can get.
Helsedirektoratet (2015)
«Godt sammensatt vegetarkost er ernæringsmessig fullverdig og kan ha positive helseeffekter med tanke på forebygging og behandling av flere sykdommer. Vegetarkost er forbundet med lavere risiko for blant annet overvekt, hjerte- og karsykdommer, diabetes og kreft. En balansert og variert vegetarkost egner seg for individer i alle livsfaser, inkludert under svangerskap, ved amming, i spedbarnsperioden, for barn og unge og for idrettsutøvere.»
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. 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. A vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Features of a vegetarian diet that may reduce risk of chronic disease include lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, soy products, fiber, and phytochemicals.
American Heart Association
Most vegetarian diets are low in or devoid of animal products. They’re also usually lower than nonvegetarian diets in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. Many studies have shown that vegetarians seem to have a lower risk of obesity, coronary heart disease (which causes heart attack), high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer.
British Dietetic Association
Plant-based diets can support healthy living at every age and life-stage. Well balanced plant-based diets, that are also low in saturated fat, can help you manage your weight and may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Dietitians of Canada
Anyone can follow a vegan diet – from children to teens to older adults. It’s even healthy for pregnant or nursing mothers. A well-planned vegan diet is high in fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. Plus, it’s low in saturated fat and cholesterol. This healthy combination helps protect against chronic diseases. Vegans have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer than non-vegans. Vegans also have lower blood pressure levels than both meat-eaters and vegetarians and are less likely to be overweight.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
A plant-based diet that can lower your blood pressure, improve cholesterol, help you achieve a healthier weight and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. A vegetarian diet can also give you more fibre, magnesium, potassium, folate and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.
The National Health and Medical Research Council
Plant-based diets can help reduce your risk of disease and provide you with all the protein, minerals and vitamins your body needs. A vegetarian diet based on vegetables, legumes, beans, wholegrains, fruits, nuts and seeds can help reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some types of cancer.
The Dietitians Association of Australia
Vegan diets are a type of vegetarian diet, where only plant-based foods are eaten. With good planning, those following a vegan diet can cover all their nutrient bases
The British National Health Service
With good planning and an understanding of what makes up a healthy, balanced vegan diet, you can get all the nutrients your body needs.
The British Nutrition Foundation
Vegan diets can be nutritious and healthy. Appropriately planned vegetarian diets are nutritionally adequate across all life stages of the life cycle and can provide the nutrients we need. There is evidence that shows vegetarian dietary patterns may have a health benefit when compared to more traditional dietary patterns.
The Mayo Clinic
A vegetarian diet can meet the needs of people of all ages, including children, teenagers, and pregnant or breast-feeding women. The key is to be aware of your nutritional needs so that you plan a diet that meets them.
Cleveland Clinic
There really are no disadvantages to a herbivorous diet! A plant-based diet has many health benefits, including lowering the risk for heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. It can also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, plus maintain weight and bone health.
Helsedirektoratet (2015)
«Godt sammensatt vegetarkost er ernæringsmessig fullverdig og kan ha positive helseeffekter med tanke på forebygging og behandling av flere sykdommer. Vegetarkost er forbundet med lavere risiko for blant annet overvekt, hjerte- og karsykdommer, diabetes og kreft. En balansert og variert vegetarkost egner seg for individer i alle livsfaser, inkludert under svangerskap, ved amming, i spedbarnsperioden, for barn og unge og for idrettsutøvere.»
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. 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. A vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Features of a vegetarian diet that may reduce risk of chronic disease include lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, soy products, fiber, and phytochemicals.
American Heart Association
Most vegetarian diets are low in or devoid of animal products. They’re also usually lower than nonvegetarian diets in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. Many studies have shown that vegetarians seem to have a lower risk of obesity, coronary heart disease (which causes heart attack), high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer.
British Dietetic Association
Plant-based diets can support healthy living at every age and life-stage. Well balanced plant-based diets, that are also low in saturated fat, can help you manage your weight and may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Dietitians of Canada
Anyone can follow a vegan diet – from children to teens to older adults. It’s even healthy for pregnant or nursing mothers. A well-planned vegan diet is high in fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. Plus, it’s low in saturated fat and cholesterol. This healthy combination helps protect against chronic diseases. Vegans have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer than non-vegans. Vegans also have lower blood pressure levels than both meat-eaters and vegetarians and are less likely to be overweight.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
A plant-based diet that can lower your blood pressure, improve cholesterol, help you achieve a healthier weight and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. A vegetarian diet can also give you more fibre, magnesium, potassium, folate and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.
The National Health and Medical Research Council
Plant-based diets can help reduce your risk of disease and provide you with all the protein, minerals and vitamins your body needs. A vegetarian diet based on vegetables, legumes, beans, wholegrains, fruits, nuts and seeds can help reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some types of cancer.
The Dietitians Association of Australia
Vegan diets are a type of vegetarian diet, where only plant-based foods are eaten. With good planning, those following a vegan diet can cover all their nutrient bases
The British National Health Service
With good planning and an understanding of what makes up a healthy, balanced vegan diet, you can get all the nutrients your body needs.
The British Nutrition Foundation
Vegan diets can be nutritious and healthy. Appropriately planned vegetarian diets are nutritionally adequate across all life stages of the life cycle and can provide the nutrients we need. There is evidence that shows vegetarian dietary patterns may have a health benefit when compared to more traditional dietary patterns.
The Mayo Clinic
A vegetarian diet can meet the needs of people of all ages, including children, teenagers, and pregnant or breast-feeding women. The key is to be aware of your nutritional needs so that you plan a diet that meets them.
Cleveland Clinic
There really are no disadvantages to a herbivorous diet! A plant-based diet has many health benefits, including lowering the risk for heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. It can also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, plus maintain weight and bone health.