Why do you have to take supplements?

[anne]

Here's something that's been really bugging me lately. If being a vegetarian or vegan is supposed to be so healthy for you, why do you have to take supplements in order to obtain all your nutritional needs? I've got nothing against vegetarians or vegans, to be clear, and I know that it's a personal choice, but in terms of weight loss it just doesn't make sense to me to follow a diet that lacks the nutrients you need and requires you to take supplements. Wouldn't it be better to just eat a diet filled with the foods that will give you all the nutrition you need? Thoughts?

[speeddemon]

I honestly don't think that vegan or vegetarian diets are a good idea for someone who wants to lose weight unless they already happen to be a vegetarian or vegan. It's hard to eat properly when following these diets. You really need to know what you're doing to get the proper nutrients. While it is possible to get all the nutrition from the food you eat when you go all veggie, you need to know what sources of animal-free foods will provide you with them. That's why people tend to take supplements when following these diets, because they don't know what you're doing.

If you really want to become a vegetarian or vegan, know your reasons, know what you're getting into and talk to a an experience dietitian who can provide you with the information you need to be healthy.

[Ron]

I don't think that adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet is necessarily healthy for you. Those who follow these diets do so because it is a lifestyle choice they believe in and are therefore willing to make certain sacrifices to maintain this lifestyle. I don't think either one of these diets should be prescribed for healthy or for weight loss.

[freddyboy]

Anne, it's always best to eat a well-balanced diet containing all food groups. Meat isn't the enemy, but it also should be enjoyed in lean varieties and in small quantities. Where the meat comes from is also important because not all companies and manufacturing facilities engage in good practices.

That said, those who choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle - regardless of their reasons (ex. culture, religion, health, weight loss, personal choice, etc.) - may need to take supplements to obtain all their nutrition if they're not ingesting the proper balance of the right foods. You can actually be a healthy vegetarian or vegan without taking supplements, but in order to do that it's best to seek the advice of a dietitian or someone who knows how to live such a lifestyle properly.

[anne]

Anne, it's always best to eat a well-balanced diet containing all food groups. Meat isn't the enemy, but it also should be enjoyed in lean varieties and in small quantities. Where the meat comes from is also important because not all companies and manufacturing facilities engage in good practices.

That said, those who choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle - regardless of their reasons (ex. culture, religion, health, weight loss, personal choice, etc.) - may need to take supplements to obtain all their nutrition if they're not ingesting the proper balance of the right foods. You can actually be a healthy vegetarian or vegan without taking supplements, but in order to do that it's best to seek the advice of a dietitian or someone who knows how to live such a lifestyle properly.

Thanks Freddyboy. That does make a lot of sense :)