The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that concludes such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for adults, infants, children and adolescents and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.

ADA's position, published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, represents the Association's official stance on vegetarian diets:

"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes."

ADA's position and accompanying paper were written by Winston Craig, PhD, MPH, RD, professor and chair of the department of nutrition and wellness at Andrews University; and Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, nutrition advisor at the Vegetarian Resource Group, Baltimore, Md.

The revised position paper incorporates new topics and additional information on key nutrients for vegetarians, vegetarian diets in the life cycle and the use of vegetarian diets in prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. "Vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle," according to ADA's position. "There are many reasons for the rising interest in vegetarian diets. The number of vegetarians in the United States is expected to increase over the next decade."

Vegetarian diets are often associated with health advantages including lower blood cholesterol levels, lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure levels and lower risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, according to ADA's position. "Vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids and other phytochemicals. These nutritional differences may explain some of the health advantages of those following a varied, balanced vegetarian diet."

The position paper draws on results from ADA's evidence analysis process and information from the ADA Evidence Analysis Library to show vegetarian diets can be nutritionally adequate in pregnancy and result in positive maternal and infant health outcomes. Additionally, an evidence-based review showed a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease.

A section in ADA's paper on vegetarian diets and cancer has been significantly expanded to provide details on cancer-protective factors in vegetarian diets. An expanded section on osteoporosis includes roles of fruits, vegetables, soy products, protein, calcium, vitamins D and K and potassium in bone health. "Registered dietitians can provide information about key nutrients, modify vegetarian diets to meet the needs of those with dietary restrictions due to disease or allergies and supply guidelines to meet needs of clients in different areas of the life cycle," the authors said.

美国饮食协会在最新立场文件中公布：如果能很好的安排膳食结构，素食对成人、婴儿、孩子以及青少年都是健康而富有营养的，还可以防治慢性疾病，例如心脏病、癌症、肥胖以及糖尿病。

在七月的美国饮食协会杂志中发布的美国饮食协会立场，代表了该协会对素食的官方立场：

"美国饮食协会的立场是：合理搭配的素食饮食，包括完全素食以及素食饮食，是健康并营养均衡的，还可以防治一些疾病。安排得当的素食饮食适合于生命周期的任何阶段：孕期、哺乳期、婴儿期、儿童期、青少年期以及运动员。"

美国饮食协会立场的作者有：Winston Craig,博士，公共卫生学硕士，研究学博士，安德鲁大学营养健康系教授以及主任；以及Reed Mangels,博士，研究学博士，巴尔迪麽素食资源组营养顾问。修订后的立场文件纳入了新的话题以及更多防治慢性疾病的信息。"素食饮食可以适用于所有的生命周期，"美国饮食立场报道说，"不断兴起的素食饮食热潮是有原因的，未来十年内，美国的素食主义者将增加。"

根据美国饮食协会立场，素食饮有众多益处：低胆固醇、较小的心脏病发病率、较低的血压水平、高血压患病率较低，以及较低的2型糖尿病发病率。"素食主义者的身体雷竞技百科 指数一般较低，患癌症的几率也比较低。素食饮食的饱和脂肪以及胆固醇含量较低，但是富含膳食纤维、锰钾、维他命C和E、叶酸，类胡萝卜素，黄酮类化合物和其他植物化学物质。这些营养差异可以解释那些遵循多样化、均衡素食饮食的人享有健康优势的原因。"

源自美国饮食协会证据分析库的分析过程和信息的立场文件的结果，显示了孕期进行素食饮食不但营养均衡还可以保证母婴的身体健康。另外，一份证据调查显示，素食饮食可以降低缺铁性心脏病的发病率。

美国饮食协会的文件开辟了素食饮食与癌症专栏，详细讲述素食饮食具有的防癌因素。骨质疏松症专栏详细报道包括：水果、蔬菜、豆类制品、蛋白质、钙、维他命D和K以及钾对骨头健康的重要作用。"注册的饮食专家可以提提供关键营养元素的信息，改善素食饮食以满足那些因为疾病或过敏有饮食禁忌的人群的需要，同时为不同生命周期的咨询者提供指导，"作者说。