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Vegetarian and Vegan Diets 17
representation of how to combine food groups to Vegetarian and Vegan Diets
provide a balanced nutritious diet according to the
types of foods eaten. The principles are the same Vegetarianism can be divided into four main
and the food groups vary very little from the UK groups:
‘eatwell plate’.
●● partial vegetarian – red meat and offal are
For example, in the United States ‘MyPlate’ is excluded
used (Figure 1.2.2), in Thailand the ‘Nutrition Flag’
(Figure 1.2.3) and in Singapore the food groups are ●● lacto-ovo vegetarian – red meat, offal, poultry
displayed as a pyramid (Figure 1.2.4). and fish are excluded but milk and eggs are eaten
Figure 1.2.2 The US ‘MyPlate’ ●● lacto-vegetarian – red meat, offal, poultry
and fish and eggs are excluded but milk is
included
●● vegans – all animal products including eggs and
cow’s milk are excluded.
Vegetarian diets can provide a balanced, nutritious
diet as long as they are well planned. Iron is the
main nutrient at risk for children who do not eat
meat as it is less well absorbed from plant-based
foods than from meat and fish. Omega 3 fats may
be low in diets that exclude all fish.
Nutritional requirements for growth and develop-
ment can be achieved in the vegetarian diet by:
Figure 1.2.3 Thailand Nutrition Flag: ‘Healthy Eating for Thais’
