Plant-based, Vegetarian, Vegan Nutritionist

In most cases, plant-based foods tend to be significantly more affordable than meat. In great news for vegetarians, Finder’s research found that a vegetarian diet is 26% cheaper than a meat-inclusive one. And that is the case whether you measure by volume or by weight. Remember, raising livestock is an expensive business and all the costs associated with feeding and caring for cattle, pigs, chickens etc needs to be recouped when meat products hit the market. So the myth that only rich people can “afford” to be vegetarian is simply not true.

There is not enough clinical evidence to conclude that those consuming plant-based diets actually live longer. But there is plenty of evidence that, if they are able to compensate for the various nutrients they lose by excluding animal products, they can live healthier lives than their meat-eating counterparts. Vegans and vegetarians tend to exist outside the current global obesity epidemic. Research shows that vegetarians also experience fewer incidents of diabetes and heart disease and have a significantly lower risk of developing certain types of cancer such as colon and stomach cancer.

Fat is a word that carries a slew of negative connotations, but the fact is our bodies need a certain amount of dietary fat in order to support cell growth and provide energy. Dietary fat also helps the body to absorb certain nutrients and is necessary for the production of some hormones. As such, it’s important that vegans and vegetarians find reliable sources of healthy dietary fat and include these in their regular diet. Our vegan nutritionists will help you identify these important food sources.

There is no evidence that a plant-based diet by itself will help prevent a person from getting sick with Covid-19. However, we do know that being overweight is a major risk factor for Covid-19 and that vegans and vegetarians tend to be thinner than meat-eaters.

A plant based diet focuses on whole foods that are mainly from plant origin, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts & seeds. Those who follow a plant based diet may also eat animal products, but plant foods make up the majority of their diet.

A vegan diet is strictly vegetarian, excluding any animal products, including dairy, eggs and honey. 

The dietitian will focus on ensuring you are consuming a varied and balanced plant based diet with appropriate portion sizes for your health goals. They will analyse the nutrients from your dietary habits, to ensure you are not at risk of developing certain nutritional deficiencies, which can be a risk when reducing or excluding certain food groups. They will then create a report from the session, providing detail on how to ensure your plant based diet is as nutritionally balanced as possible.  

It can seem more difficult to obtain enough protein on a plant based diet at first, and this is because there are less sources of protein overall, compared to if a person consumed animal products (as many of these are protein sources). However, with careful planning and consideration, a plant based diet can be high in protein. This will include relying on regular intakes of beans, pulses, soy, nuts and seeds, with the occasional animal based products such as dairy or fish, if a person wishes to.

Yes children can safely follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, though it is important to ensure they are meeting their nutritional requirements. A vegan or vegetarian diet will need some careful planning to reduce risk of developing nutritional deficiencies. Supplements may also be recommended to help ensure the child’s dietary requirements for certain vitamins and minerals are being met. This can include vitamins B12, iron, calcium and omega 3, though it is important to discuss this with a dietitian to ensure your child consumes what they need, based on their dietary intake and needs.