ABC Medical Center > Digital magazine > The importance of having a correct vegan diet

The importance of having a correct vegan diet

3 May 2023

Key points:

  • Many foods will help you stay nourished and healthy following a vegan diet.

  • The lack of vitamin B9, B12, and iron are the main problems of following an unbalanced vegan diet.

  • ABC Medical Center has vegan options for its hospitalized patients.

There are many myths about vegan diets related to the type of food and nutrition that they provide to the person.

Chef Claudia Valeria Monter from the food services area of ABC Medical Center, says that a vegan diet is characterized by being based solely on plants and excluding foods of animal origin and their derivatives such as honey, milk, butter, etc.

We must also differentiate a vegan diet from a vegetarian diet, in the latter, the person can consume fish, eggs, or even some meat such as chicken.

One of the main fears that people have when following a vegan diet is the idea that it can cause anemia. The reality is that eating a vegan diet without correct nutritional advice can trigger this condition.

But why could this happen? First, there is a low intake of vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12; lack of iron absorption also occurs due to phytates found in some foods. Phytates are considered antinutrients found in nuts and legumes and for their destruction, it is necessary to prepare food in a correct way including cooking, soaking, or sprouting.

Among the benefits found in eating a vegan diet is that it can help in the treatment of other pathologies such as diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary problems, or even circulation problems.

If you are a patient who is going to be hospitalized, you can talk to your doctors to find out about the dishes within the vegan diet that you can eat such as tofu Mexican style, pizza margherita, or mushroom ceviche.

On the other hand, if you want to start consuming a vegan diet correctly, go to a nutritionist who specializes in this subject to answer all your questions and achieve the best nutrition possible.

At ABC Medical Center’s Nutrition and Obesity Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!

Fuentes:
Chef Claudia Valeria Monter – ABC Medical Center Food Services
https://youtu.be/047QhkCH12k

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