Tofu, sprouts, and salads. While these are staples in many vegetarian diets, they are also low in calories and fat. Many people choose vegetarianism for ethical, environmental or health reasons, but it may also be a way to mask an eating disorder. Read on.
Vegetarianism is defined as the practice of eating a primarily plant-based diet. For vegetarians, food choices include fruits, vegetables, dried beans and peas, grains, seeds and nuts. Within vegetarianism there is some variability, but generally vegetarians fall into one of the three eating patterns:
The vegan diet, which includes only plant-based foods
The lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, which includes dairy products and eggs
The lacto vegetarian diet, which includes plant foods plus dairy products
While vegetarians can generally get everything they need nutritionally, this does take some work. In the case of vegans, food choices must include a variety of fruits and vegetables, beans, and plant-based protein in order to meet all nutritional needs.
Renee, a 16-year old from Yardley, Pa. is new to vegetarianism. “I love animals, and believe in non-violence. This felt like a natural change for me. My parents have been supportive, and mom has even learned to cook tofu, which looks like a challenge. I incorporate plenty of nuts and beans into my diet too.”
Renee’s story illustrates the healthy side of vegetarianism. Kelly, on the other hand, contrasts with Renee. This 16-year-old was eating salads and fruits. She refused nuts, beans, tofu and tempeh. While Kelly’s adoption of vegetarianism for “health reasons” may have been equally valid, it was a source of concern to her mother, Janice.
“I started to research teens and vegetarian diets, especially when I noticed Kelly losing weight. I was concerned that she had an eating disorder,” says Janice.
A 2001 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health, researchers found that the most common reason teens gave for vegetarianism was to lose weight or keep from gaining it. Robinson-O'Brien and her team surveyed 2,516 vegetarians and former vegetarians, ages 15 to 23. The researchers found that the vegetarians were tended to consume less than 30% of their calories as fat, while non-vegetarians got more than 30% of their calories from fat. The vegetarians were also less likely to be overweight.
Paradoxically, teens that adopt vegetarian diets were also more likely to binge eat. 20 percent of the teens that said that they were vegetarians reported binge eating at least once in the past year. Only 4 percent of the teens that had never been vegetarians reported binge eating in the past year, likely due to not feeling satisfied.
While further studies are needed, it is helpful to be aware of the following warning signs:
Avoiding carbohydrates, which is a key part of vegetarian diets
Diets that are limited to only fruits and vegetables
Lack of flexibility in selection of foods
Extreme focus on eating foods due to low fat content
Unwillingness to try vegetarian protein sources, such as tofu, tempeh or seitan
Physical signs of malnutrition, such as lightheadedness, thinning hair, or hair on the body
Distrusting restaurants which offer vegetarian options
For more information, please see “Healthy Tips for Vegetarians”
Comments