(HealthDay News) -- Vegetarians are no less susceptible than others to malnutrition. The key, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to eat a variety of foods that ensure enough calories and proper nutrition.
The agency offers these suggestions for a healthy vegetarian diet:
- Choose plant-based protein sources such as soy, nuts, peas and beans.
- Get plenty of calcium through leafy, dark-green vegetables, calcium-fortified foods and dairy products.
- Make peas and beans important staples of your diet, and make nuts a regular snack food.
- Get plenty of vitamin B12 -- found naturally only in animal products -- by choosing fortified foods, such as cereals or soy products.
