Adequate Nutrition

• work in progress*

Human beings need certain nutrients, not specific sources of those nutrients. Adequate nutrition deals with meeting nutritional needs in terms of essential fatty and amino acids, calories, and vitamins and minerals to avoid deficiencies that affect health in a clinically significant way. Where the question of adequate nutrition stops is at more speculative issues. Optimal nutrition picks up where adequate nutrition leaves off, with questions of ideal ratios between macro-nutrients and calorie sources, timing of meals, and other composition to achieve certain results like atheletic performance, disease prevention, or longevity.

The consensus among the overwhelming majority of dietetic organizations is that a properly planned vegan diet, with B-12 supplements and other considerations, is adequate for human beings during all stages of life.

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. These diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood and for athletes.[1]

This is echoed by nutritional recommendations of major governmental bodies, including the oft criticized USDA (which has animal agriculture industry ties, and it in no conceivable sense biased in favor of veganism).

Vegetarian* diets can meet all the recommendations for nutrients. The key is to consume a variety of foods and the right amount of foods to meet your calorie needs. Follow the food group recommendations for your age, sex, and activity level to get the right amount of food and the variety of foods needed for nutrient adequacy. Nutrients that vegetarians may need to focus on include protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12.[2]

• This is followed by extensive recommendations for lacto-ovo vegetarians and for vegans; the USDA considers both forms of vegetarianism.

Criticism of consensus tend to be either overtly conspiratorial, or vague fear-mongering claims that there isn't enough evidence which is in itself a claim without evidence-- and one that implies either irresponsibility and stupidity of professionals or a conspiracy, because obviously they agree there is enough evidence as reflected by consensus.