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In this Article

• Introduction to vegetarian diets
• What types of vegetarian diets are there?
• What are the potential problems from consuming a vegetarian and vegan diet?
• What are the benefits of a vegetarian and vegan diet?
• How do I develop a vegetarian or vegan diet plan for myself?
• What are sources for vegetarian and vegan recipes?
• What's included in the vegetarian food pyramid?
• What's included in the vegan food pyramid?
• Where can I get more information on vegetarian and vegan diets?
• Vegetarian and Vegan Diet Index

What's included in the vegan food pyramid?

Vegan Food Guide Pyramid

It's important to remember that you can consume too many calories following a vegetarian or a vegan diet. Too much of any food can lead to weight gain and the health problems associated with being overweight. Part of consuming a balanced diet means moderation. You also want to include water and physical activity in your plan. This is about making a healthy lifestyle change and making choices that "feed" your body and mind in the right way.

Where can I get more information on vegetarian and vegan diets?

Books and magazines

Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet by Brenda Davis, RD, and Vesanto Melina., MS, RD. Summertown, TN: Book Publishing Company. 2000.

Being Vegetarian for Dummies by Suzanne Havala, MS, RD. Cleveland, OH: IDG Books Worldwide. 2001.

New Becoming Vegetarian: The Essential Guide to a Healthy Vegetarian Diet by Vesanto Melina., MS, RD, and Brenda Davis, RD. Summertown, TN: Book Publishing Company. 2003.

Simply Vegan: Quick Vegetarian Meals, 4th ed. Debra Wasserman; Nutrition Section by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD. Baltimore, MD: The Vegetarian Resource Group. 2006.

The Dietitian's Guide to Vegetarian Diets: Issues and Applications, 2nd ed. Virginia Messina, Reed Mangels, and Mark Messina. Boston, Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 2004. The

Vegan & Vegetarian FAQ: Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions. Davida Gypsy Breier; Nutrition Section by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD. Baltimore, MD: The Vegetarian Resource Group. 2001. 2

Vegetarian Times: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/

Veg News: http://www.vegnews.com/web/home.do

Web sites

American Vegan Society: http://www.americanvegan.org/

North American Vegetarian Society: http://www.navs-online.org/

Go Veg: http://www.goveg.com/

Vegan Action: http://www.vegan.org/

Vegan Outreach: http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/

In a Vegetarian Kitchen: http://vegkitchen.com/

The Vegetarian Resource Group: http://www.vrg.org/

The Vegetarian Society: http://www.vegsoc.org/