Vegan teens in Sweden eat more fruits and vegetables

Sweden, like the United States, recommends that people eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables. In Sweden, the recommendation is 500 grams (approximately 17 ounces) of fruits, vegetables, and berries daily. A study comparing Swedish vegan teens to non-vegetarian teens found that 21 of 30 vegans met this recommendation, while only one non-vegetarian did so. While the groups were similar in terms of the amount of fruit and berries that they ate, the vegans ate significantly more vegetables than non-vegetarians did. Besides eating more servings from the fruit and vegetable group, the vegans also ate a greater variety of foods and consumed less candy and chocolate. Vegans used supplements as their main source for vitamin [B.sub.12], calcium, zinc, and selenium, although they did get some calcium from vegetables and some zinc and selenium from grains.

Larsson CL, Johansson GK. 2005. Young Swedish vegans have different sources of nutrients than young omnivores. J Am Diet Assoc 105:1438-41.

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