Myth - Vegetarians are often malnourished
Fact - Vegetarians don't need to eat meat to be healthy
Some people are concerned that meat-free living could cause problems such as nutrient deficiencies in the long-term. However, a well-balanced diet, whether vegetarian, vegan or more broadly plant-based, is not difficult to achieve and is “appropriate for all stages of the life cycle"1. In fact, “appropriately planned vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits”2.
It is a popular misconception that vegetarians and vegans have more nutrient deficiencies than their meat eating cousins, and there are still many people who believe that it is more difficult to eat a balanced diet and obtain all important nutrients on a vegetarian diet.
Wholegrains, legumes, fruits and vegetables are all nutritious foods that provide us with a range of important vitamins and minerals and energy to get us through each day. Well planned vegetarian diets are nutritionally equivalent to those that contain meat but without the health issues that can be attributed to eating meat. A tremendous body of scientific evidence (and growing) exists to support the healthfulness of plant-based eating.
Read more about the benefits of a plant-based diet.
References
1American Dietetic Association Position Paper on Vegetarian Diets, 2009.
http://www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8357
2Ball MJ, Bertlett MA. Dietary intake and iron status of Australian vegetarian women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;70:353-358.