Vegan diet good or bad?

Vegan Diet: Everything Cheese or How? IKK health consultants explain risks and benefits - Free nutritional advice for insured persons

05/28/2014

Vegan diet is in and on everyone's lips. According to the Vegetarian Federation (VEBU), there are about 800,000 vegans in Germany - and the trend is rising. Vegans not only abstain from meat like vegetarians, they also reject the use of any animal products in their diet. This means for example: no eggs, no milk, no cheese.

However, as there is still a lack of reliable studies, this diet is controversial. „But according to most nutritionists, vegan nutrition is healthy and needs-based“, says Marie-Louise Conen, Nutritionist IKK Southwest.

If food is selected incorrectly, however, it could lead to angling for calories, vitamins, minerals or protein. Vegans should pay particular attention to protein intake in the form of legumes, cereals, rice, soy and nuts. Equally important is vitamin B12, which i.a. regulates the formation of red blood cells. In most cases, vitamin B12 is useful as a dietary supplement.

Many people who have switched their diet to vegan are seeing positive changes in their health. For example, the low-fat and low-cholesterol diet causes better blood lipid levels. Dietary fiber prevents gastrointestinal diseases and strengthens the immune system. Especially with skin diseases and allergies, vegans report great success after the change in diet.

Vegans can basically become anyone. „For pregnant women, children and competitive athletes, however, a doctor should first be interviewed“, advises Marie-Louise Conen. It is also important not to start abruptly from one day to the next, but to gradually change the nutritional plan.

Nevertheless, a portion of common sense does not hurt. Because a vegan lifestyle does not automatically mean that you live healthy - just as the consumption of meat is automatically unhealthy. „It depends on what and how much is eaten and how the body reacts to it“, emphasizes the IKK nutritionist. (Pm)

Picture: Mika Abey