Vopr Pitan. 1991 Mar-Apr; (2): 32-5.

[Analysis of actual nutrition of vegetarians]

Zemlianskaia TA, Peskova EV, Martinchik AN.

The questionnaire method was used in the study of the actual nutrition of 20 vegetarians. A group of subjects who received mixed food were observed for comparison. The mean day ration of the two groups differed in the increased proportion of vegetables, fruit, milk products, nuts and vegetable seeds in the vegetarians' nutrition. The analysis of the chemical composition of the ration has shown that the absolute content of protein, fat, carbohydrates, some vitamins of group B in the vegetarians' nutrition is lower than the values recommended. Besides that this nutrition is deficient in Fe, Zn, vitamin B12. However, vegetarian rations with low calorie value are capable of providing physiological requirements of the body in food fibres, vegetable oil, beta-carotene and ascorbic acid.