Vegan and vegetarian diets are certainly trendy, with more people than ever before making the switch. While some people are choosing to go plant-based for environmental reasons, others are adopting these diets because of their health benefits. It’s hardly surprising, given studies have linked vegetarian and vegan diets to a lower body mass index (BMI) and a lower risk of certain diseases – including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
But while plant-based diets may have many health benefits, they can, without some planning, also result in nutrient deficiencies. In fact, one survey suggests around 28% of vegans and 13% of vegetarians show one or more nutrient deficiencies. This is because many plant-based diets don’t contain high levels of certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, calcium, selenium, iron and zinc.
