Health Tip: Eating a Well-Balanced Vegetarian Diet

Some nutrients may be more difficult to come by

July 12, 2010 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- Eating a well-balanced diet is important for everyone, and vegetarians are no exception. Some nutrients may be more difficult to come by without meat in the diet, requiring some advanced planning.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says vitamins D and B12, as well as proteins, zinc, iron and riboflavin may be lacking in a vegetarian diet.

Fish, soy, milk or eggs are good sources of protein for vegetarians who choose to eat them. Combining foods such as fortified cereals, rice and beans, breads or peanut butter also can provide sufficient proteins, the agency says.