Vegetarian and vegan diets continue to increase in popularity. What are the health benefits? Can they really reduce your risk of certain long-term diseases? And how can you make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need at the menopause?
In the Summer 2017 issue of The Menopause Exchange newsletter, dietitian and public health nutritionist Gaynor Bussell discusses the health benefits a vegetarian or vegan diet can bring, such as a lower body mass index (BMI), lower cholesterol levels and lower incidence of certain chronic conditions, such as cancers, heart disease and diabetes. She also looks at how a vegetarian or vegan diet can leave you prone to nutritional deficiencies, and why it’s essential to ensure you’re eating a healthy balance of nutrients.
“Vegetarian and vegan diets can be healthy if you plan your meals carefully,” says Norma Goldman, founder and director of The Menopause Exchange. “It’s essential that vegans get enough calcium, vitamin D and protein, and that both vegetarians and vegans check their intake of vitamin B12, iron and essential fatty acids. In our article, Gaynor Bussell provides the background information women need if they wish to change their diet.”
