Debunking Dietary Deceptions: Is a Vegetarian or Vegan Diet Automatically Healthy?

Research has found that a diet rich in healthful plant foods is associated with substantially lower risk of developing heart disease.

Meatless doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthier. Dreamstime/TCA

By Carrie Dennett, MPH, RDN Environmental Nutrition

With all the praise for plant-based diets, it’s easy to think that a vegan or vegetarian diet guarantees that your diet is healthful and nutritious. But does it? The research in support of plant-based diets is bountiful, which is likely because they include higher levels of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and fiber and lower levels of saturated fat.