Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism, Health Foods, and Fad Diets

Abstract

Most individuals who adhere to unusual nutritional practices, except for balanced vegetarianism, are aware that their ideas run counter to the mainstream of medical and nutritional opinion. Some adopt such diets as an expression of disillusion with medicine or the "establishment" Physicians and other health professionals should be prepared to encounter strong resistance if they attempt to reverse such practices. Parents are likely to resist the suggestion of major dietary changes, and it is best to focus on those features of the diet that are of greatest potential harm to their children. However, even with the more extreme dietary practices, it is usually possible to prevent serious harm by striving for dietary variety and balance and working within the value system or philosophy of the group or individual.