Nutritional Considerations

Because vegetarians eliminate major categories of food from their diet, nutrients otherwise obtained from animal products are lost and must be obtained from other foods. Refer to the MyPlate image and the various food pyramids. Note that although dairy products, meats, fish, and eggs do not form the largest portions of the diet, they form an important part. When those foods are eliminated, the structure of the diet must be rebuilt, as in Figure 27.1, to ensure adequate nutrition.