Other Nutrients

Appears in
Professional Cooking: 10th Edition
Professional Cooking

By Wayne Gisslen

Published 2025

  • About
In addition to protein, other nutrients normally found in animal products must be supplied in other ways in vegetarian diets:
  • Vitamin B12. This vitamin is found only in animal foods, including milk and eggs. Vegans must obtain it from grain foods, such as breakfast cereals, that have been fortified with this vitamin, or else take vitamin supplements. Vegetarians who eat sufficient dairy products and eggs usually can get enough vitamin B12.
  • Vitamin D. This vitamin is found in vitamin D-fortified milk, and it is created in the skin on exposure to sunlight. A vegan or other vegetarian who doesn’t get enough exposure to sunlight can get this nutrient from vitamin-fortified cereals or some soy beverages.
  • Calcium. Dairy products are rich in calcium, but vegans and other vegetarians who don’t consume dairy products must get calcium from other sources, including green leafy vegetables and dried legumes. Calcium supplements or calcium-fortified beverages may be necessary in the vegan diet.