Managing vegetarian and vegan diets in Residential Aged Care Facilities
Aged Care Nutrition Advisory Service • another NAQ Nutrition program
People who follow a vegetarian diet base their eating on foods of plant origin. Vegetarian and vegan diets are becoming more popular over time for a number of reasons including personal preference or philosophy, religious and/or cultural beliefs, ethical considerations or the desire to eat more of a plant-based diet for health reasons.
Types of vegetarian diets Animal protein sources excluded
Animal protein sources included
Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) Poultry Fish/seafood
Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese) Eggs
Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese)
Lacto vegetarian
Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) Poultry Fish/seafood Eggs Some animal by-products e.g. gelatine
Eggs
Ovo vegetarian
Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) Poultry Fish/seafood Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese)
Pescatarian
Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) Poultry
Fish/seafood Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese) Eggs
Pollotarian
Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) Fish/seafood
Poultry Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese) Eggs
Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) Poultry Fish/seafood Eggs Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese) All animal by-products e.g. gelatin, honey
Nil – all animal protein sources are excluded
Lacto-ovo vegetarian (most common)
Vegan
Note: The information contained in this fact sheet is general in nature. The definition of a vegetarian diet can vary significantly between individuals, so it is important to dedicate some time during admission to finding out more about a resident’s dietary choices so they can be appropriately catered for. Dietary choices may change over time, so make sure these changes are updated in the resident’s dietary profile. NAQ Nutrition (the Queensland division of Nutrition Australia) | www.naqld.org 12/212 Curtin Avenue West, Eagle Farm Qld 4009 | ph (07) 3257 4393 fax (07) 3257 4616 ©Copyright 2017. The Australian Nutrition Foundation (Qld. Div.) Inc. Inc t/a NAQ Nutrition All rights reserved | AC_FS019a – Managing vegetarian and vegan diets in RACFs
Managing vegetarian and vegan diets in Residential Aged Care Facilities
Aged Care Nutrition Advisory Service • another NAQ Nutrition program
Are vegetarian diets healthy? Any diet that restricts particular Core Food Groups may increase the risk of nutritional deficiency if it is not carefully planned. A vegetarian or vegan diet can be well balanced if it includes protein-rich meat alternatives in addition to the other Core Food Groups: • Vegetables (a range of types and colours) and legumes/beans • Fruit • Meat alternatives including legumes/beans, tofu, eggs, nuts and seeds • Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain, such as breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, oats • Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives (such as calcium-fortified soy milk)
Visit our website for more information www.naqld.org or call (07) 3257 4393 to speak with the ACNAS team.
Nutritional factors to consider for vegetarian and vegan diets Protein Good sources of protein for people following a vegetarian diet include dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, cheese or custard, or non-dairy options such as eggs, legumes (peas, beans, lentils), nuts and seeds, wholegrains and soy-based products such as tofu. Iron and Zinc Vegetarian sources of these nutrients include eggs, legumes and lentils, nuts, tofu and fortified breakfast cereals. Plant-based sources of iron and zinc aren’t as well absorbed by the body as animal sources, but absorption of iron can be increased by teaming the plant food with Vitamin C rich foods such as fruits or vegetables. Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is only found in foods of animal origin but alternative dietary sources include fortified products such as soy milk, tofu, soy sausages and burgers. Supplementation in the form of tablets, sprays or injections may be necessary (consult with your resident’s GP). Calcium Many people following a vegetarian diet continue to include dairy milk, yoghurt and cheese in their diet, all good sources of calcium. Fortified milk alternatives (e.g. calcium-fortified soy milk or tofu) should be included for residents following a vegan diet as well as nuts, legumes and green leafy vegetables. Calcium fortified milk alternatives should provide at least 100mg of calcium per 100ml.
NAQ Nutrition (the Queensland division of Nutrition Australia) | www.naqld.org 12/212 Curtin Avenue West, Eagle Farm Qld 4009 | ph (07) 3257 4393 fax (07) 3257 4616 ©Copyright 2017. The Australian Nutrition Foundation (Qld. Div.) Inc. Inc t/a NAQ Nutrition All rights reserved | AC_FS019a – Managing vegetarian and vegan diets in RACFs
Managing vegetarian and vegan diets in Residential Aged Care Facilities
Aged Care Nutrition Advisory Service • another NAQ Nutrition program
Sample meal plan: Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet Breakfast
Weetbix with cow’s milk Toast Fruit salad
Morning Tea
Fruit cake with walnuts
Lunch
Approx. Core Food Group serves Veg
5
Green leafy salad with roast vegetables, feta cheese and boiled eggs Dessert of the day
Fruit
2
Dairy/ alt
4-5
Afternoon Tea
Cheese and crackers
Meat/ alt
2.5
Dinner
Vegetable and lentil soup Tofu and mixed vegetable stir fry with rice
Grains
5
Supper
Fruit and yoghurt
Sample meal plan: Vegan diet Breakfast
Morning Tea Lunch
Weetbix with calcium-fortified soy milk Toast Fruit salad Dairy-free pikelets (using soy milk and oil instead of butter) served with nut butter Green leafy salad with roast vegetables, soy cheese and chickpeas Dairy-free apple pie (using oil instead of butter in pastry)
Afternoon Tea
Crackers with hummus dip
Dinner
Vegetable and lentil soup Tofu and mixed vegetable stir fry with rice
Supper
Fruit and soy yoghurt
Check out our other fact sheets: • Meal ideas for people living with dementia • Osteoporosis
Approx. Core Food Group serves Veg
5
Fruit
2
Dairy/ alt
3-4
Meat/ alt
2.5
Grains
5
For more information: Consult an Accredited Practising Dietitian or contact the ACNAS team on (07) 3257 4393.
NAQ Nutrition (the Queensland division of Nutrition Australia) | www.naqld.org 12/212 Curtin Avenue West, Eagle Farm Qld 4009 | ph (07) 3257 4393 fax (07) 3257 4616 ©Copyright 2017. The Australian Nutrition Foundation (Qld. Div.) Inc. Inc t/a NAQ Nutrition All rights reserved | AC_FS019a – Managing vegetarian and vegan diets in RACFs
