The Vegetarian Fitness Enthusiast Part 2: Are Most REALLY Eating Healthy on These Nutrition Plans?

On my last post found here I wrote about the different types of Vegetarian Nutrition Plans.  In this post I am going to discuss what potential "Healthy Eating Pitfalls" can happen on these plans.

DISCLAIMER:  This post as well as ones that I have wrote in the fast or future are meant to be "Vegetarian Bashing Sessions."  They are simply meant to give readers information on the pros and cons of vegetarian eating plans so you can make an educated choice how to be more healthy in the future. Some may want to go the vegetarian route while others may want to include meat in their diets.  Whatever you do, just try to eat better.

With that being said a good quote to start things off is from a side bar article in the ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition) textbook Essentials of Sports Nutrition and Supplements written by Theresa Romano:

For whatever the reason a person chooses to become vegetarian, whether it is religious, ethical, or otherwise, vegetarian athletes of today are not learning the basic fundamentals of what it means to be a good vegetarian.  When meeting with a vegetarian client, my first question is, "Are you a GOOD vegetarian or a BAD vegetarian?"

In my experience people who eat vegetarian can run into the following issues:

1. Many who claim to be vegetarian are not.  In most cases they just don't eat Red meat, are Prescatarian or Flexitarian (Semi-Vegetarian).  I am surprised there isn't a term for the people who avoid Red meat.
2. Those who are the above three, Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian, Lacto Vegetarian, Ovo-Vegetarian, or Vegan have plenty of room for nutritional error.  For example Potato Chips, Cookies and Crackers can be included in these plans because they don't contain anything from animals.  However they are not healthy.  For example I had dinner with a gal who is Vegan but it didn't stop her from consuming a bowl in a half of Tortilla Chips at the Mexican Restaurant we were at. 
3. People on Vegan plans have to avoid Omega-3 sources from fish.  While you can get Omega-3 from plant sources like Flax or Sea Weed, (They contain ALA) it is very difficult for the body to convert ALA into EPA or DHA.
4. The plans that exclude processed food (Raw Vegan and Macrobiotic) are the healthiest but are very difficult to plan/prepare on a daily basis.  Also, very specific supplement protocols must be followed due to nutrient deficiencies.
5. Most people on vegetarian diets consume more carbohydrates than they should.  Allowing more processed carbohydrates can be a recipe for disaster.  Eating more carbs than a person can handle can keep insulin levels high causing fat loss and leanness to be more difficult. 

Many who have had success and experienced results on the vegetarian plans discussed in my first post where eating poorly prior to starting those plans.  Often times simply having a focus on healthier eating and consuming more vegetables and fruit was a significant factor in their success.  They started to eat more "Real Food" and less "Processed Food" which is a good thing.  However, I do want to make it clear that there is plenty of room for error which can be avoided.  The next post will discuss the pros and cons of each specific program listed from my first post.