A vegetarian diet can lead to nutrient deficiency, so consider being a pesco-vegetarian

There are a lot of definitions around but, largely, vegetarianism means having anything based on plants or without meat. While vegetarianism always promises better results I won’t say that a non-vegetarian diet is harmful. It depends on moderation in quantity, the preparation and the food choices you make.

A vegetarian diet ensures that the person has a good amount of fibre intake and it lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases and blood pressure, so a person can expect a longer life because it reduces bad cholesterol.

But then again, there is always a concern with vitamin B12, which is an important nutrient for blood formation and even Omega 3. Also, people who have gastrointestinal problems cannot follow a fully vegetarian diet because of the high fibre in the diet and the absorption of nutrients, which will be at risk if they have irritable bowel disease or any colonic diseases. Such people need to have more nutrient-dense choices, which is only possible through a non-vegetarian diet, through lean meat choices, for example.

In a vegan diet, a person stays away from any animal product like milk and egg. This puts them at the risk of not taking in enough calcium, which is one of the most important element in the body. People who follow a vegan diet argue that they can get these nutrients through supplements, but how can we monitor that? The way any nutrient gets absorbed by the body naturally is different and when you take supplements there is always a co-factor, which means that the supplements can interact with the food you eat. So, they are always at a risk of having certain nutrient deficiencies.

So, people following a vegan diet have to very carefully plan their intake, which is not possible for the average person. They might even have a very good knowledge of food and nutrition but they might not be able to balance it correctly.

The burst in vegan blogging can be misleading because every person is different and their requirements are different, too. Someone who wants to switch should consult a professional first. For example, someone might be anaemic and then might plan to go on a vegetarian diet.

Ultimately, there should always be a middle way. So, being a pesco-vegetarian is very good, which basically means eating only fish, twice or thrice a week, and having a lot of other vegetables along with it. From Ms Fahmida Jafri Clinical nutritionist living in Ajman it or implement