Nutrition and Health

The best evidence indicates that a well balanced non-animal diet is the healthiest there is – for children as well as for adults. But the promotion of  old- fashioned ideas, combined with the mind-bending power of the meat industry, still causes some worries. Here we provide a simple guide to some non-animal sources of the main nutrients.

Vitamin A – Carrots, green leafy vegetables, peppers, margarine, dried apricots.

Essential for bone growth, immune system and preventing infections.

Vitamin B – Yeast extract (eg. Marmite), nuts, wholemeal bread, rice, mushrooms, bananas, sunflower and sesame seeds.

Needed for the health and maintenance of the body’s nervous system.

Vitamin B12 – This vitamin is available in many fortified products (certain soya milks, breakfast cereals, yeast extract, margarine, soya mince and other convenience foods).

Needed for cell division and blood formation.

Vitamin C – Oranges and other citrus fruits, blackcurrants, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, potatoes.

Essential for growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body.

Vitamin D – Most people obtain all the vitamin D they need from sunlight on their skin. Certain foods are fortified with it as well, like vegetable margarine.

Regulates the formation of bone and the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine