Varied vegetarians

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 288, 30 May 1989, Page 8

Varied vegetarians

During sixty years of operation, under various names, the FOCAS Information Service at the University of Otago has seen many changes in the domestic life of New Zealand. A current change which brings requests for information is the increasing numbers of New Zealanders who are choosing to adopt an eating pattern chaxacteristic of one or other of the three main vegetarian

categories: Lacto - ovo vegetarians (who eat milk and milk products and eggs but no meat). Lact - vegetarians (who use milk and milk products). Vegans (who eat no animal products). This change in eating pattern may be for philosophical, religious or humane reasons or be seen as a way of maintaining good health. In response to the nu-

merous requests for information on vegetarian meals the FOCAS Information Service has revised the publication 'Meals Without Meat' to include nutrition, meal patterns and planning, a pantry guide and recipe section. Costing $2.60 posted, this publication is now available from the FOCAS Information Service, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56 Dunedin. Most nutritionists agrce that vegetarian meals can be nutritionally adequate provided sufficicnt care and knowledge is used in planning meals. As with any meal planning, vegetarian meals must be planned to ensurc that all the nutrients for growth and health are provided in adequate amounts. The key to success for healthy eating is to scrvc a selection of foods from the following food groups: Cereals & Grains/Nuts & Seeds/Pulscs & Legumes/Fruil & Vcgetables/Milk, Milk Products & Eggs when included. Meat is a valuablc source of several nutricnts including protein, iron and the vitamin B complcx.