Vegan Diet Guide

What is a Vegan Diet?

A vegan diet is a type of a plant-based diet that is characterized by the exclusion of all animal-based foods. This diet excludes any food or beverage made from an animal including red meat (beef, pork, lamb, bison, venison); poultry including chicken, duck, turkey; seafood including fish, shellfish; all eggs and any foods containing egg like mayonnaise; dairy products including cheese, butter, milk, cream; and honey.

People may be motivated by several reasons to try a vegan diet including ethical, religious, health, and environmental. It is currently thought that about 2% of Americans adhere to a vegan diet. The diet emphasizes consuming a variety of plant foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds. The vegan diet can be rich in carbohydrates including dietary fiber, vitamins C and E, magnesium, potassium, omega-6 fatty acids, and carotenoids.

This diet, when not well-planned, can be low in calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, essential omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), essential Vitamin B12, and protein. The exclusion of animal-based foods, specifically from red and processed meats, may provide health benefits by reducing the intake of ingredients that have been linked to increased rates of heart disease and colon cancer risk, including excessive sodium, heme iron, nitrates, and nitrites.

Download Vegan Therapeutic Diet Guide »

ARG Therapeutic Diet Guide: Vegan Diet | www.allergyresearchgroup.com For Practitioner Use Only | Rev. 3.23