(HealthDay News) -- A vegetarian diet may reduce your risks of diabetes and heart disease, the American Heart Association (AHA) says. But vegetarians also have to eat foods with a healthy balance of nutrients.
The AHA offers these guidelines:
- Eat enough protein. You can try adding soy to your diet, which is protein rich.
- Eat plenty of nuts, whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.
- Get plenty of iron by eating lots of spinach, beans, dried fruits, and iron-fortified foods.
- Try eating foods fortified with vitamin B-12, or consider taking a B-12 supplement.
- Avoid foods high in sugar or fat.
