Exploring the Rewards and Challenges of Vegetarian Diets: A Fresh Look at the Academy’s Position

Description

Learning Objectives

• Explain the latest research on the health benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets, as well as potential nutrient-intake concerns associated with these diets.
• Address common client questions about controversial topics related to following vegetarian or vegan diets.
• Describe the Academy’s Position on vegetarian diets for adults in the general population, with cardiovascular risk factors, and with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Performance Indicators

• 8.1.5 Demonstrates knowledge of nutrient requirements throughout the lifespan, and their role in health promotion and disease prevention.
• 8.2.1 Engages in educational activities to maintain knowledge and to obtain new knowledge of diseases and clinical conditions.
• 4.1.2 Interprets and integrates evidence-based research and literature in decision-making

Speakers

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  Reed Mangels

  Retired, Independent Researcher

  Dr. Reed Mangels is a registered dietitian whose career has focused on vegetarian nutrition. She has volunteered as a nutrition advisor for the non-profit, educational Vegetarian Resource Group for more than thirty years. She also volunteers with VeganHealth.org. She has been involved with the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group since its inception and has served as Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Nominating Committee Chair. Dr. Mangels has written numerous articles and book chapters for professionals and the public on vegetarian nutrition in the life-cycle. She is a co-author of the three most recent editions of the textbook The Dietitian’s Guide to Vegetarian Diets and co-authored the Academy’s 2009 and 2003 position papers on vegetarian diets. She was an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts Amherst until her retirement. In 2022, Dr. Mangels received the Academy's Excellence in Community and Public Health Practice award for her work in vegetarian nutrition.

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  Nanci Guest

  Researcher, Dietitian, Veganic Farmer, Self-Employed, University of Toronto

  Dr. Nanci Guest is a registered dietitian, nutritional sciences researcher, strength and conditioning coach, international speaker, and most recently she has embraced farm life on her certified veganic farm. As a new farmer she is dedicated to ongoing research and development that focuses on net-zero, organic, regenerative and sustainable farming practices that exclude any inputs of synthetic fertilizers or animal waste materials such as the commonly used blood meal and manure. Dr. Guest has been working in private practice for over two decades and completed two Bachelor of Science degrees and a Master of Science degree at the University of British Columbia, in the areas of agricultural science, dietetics/kinesiology and general nutritional sciences. She completed her PhD, which focused on nutritional genomics, and an extended part-time post-doc in plant-focused nutrition both at the University of Toronto. Her post-doctoral research has focused on plant-based eating, health and climate and she also develops and teaches online courses in plant-based sport nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Previously she was a global consultant to professional and amateur athletes and served as the head dietitian at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Toronto 2015 PanAm games. In late 2022 she coauthored the ‘Switch4Good Plant-Based Sports Nutrition Playbook’ for pro-teams and Olympians which was distributed through the IOC and other professional sporting organizations. Most recently, Dr. Guest has been working as a member of the expert panel and research team in creating the next Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Position Stand on Vegetarianism and Health.

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Moderator

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  Sudha Raj

  Teaching Professor & Graduate Program Director, Syracuse University

  Dr. Raj is a Teaching Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at Syracuse University and a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dr. Raj is interested in exploring the role of acculturative factors as they impact the health and well-being of South Asian immigrants specifically from India. She has developed dietetics related educational resources, written book chapters and given presentations highlighting the unique Asian Indian food culture and role of food as delineated in the traditional medical system of Ayurveda. Dr. Raj has been actively involved with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has served as Newsletter Editor, Chair for the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group and Chair for the Vegetarian Nutrition Evidence Analysis Group. She has also served as a committee member for the development of Standards of Practice for the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Dr. Raj’s research and curricular development interests extend into the areas of cultural competency, vegetarian nutrition, integrative and functional nutrition and traditional food and medical systems. She is currently involved in a US Forest service project highlighting the role of wild edibles as nutrient dense options for urban residents.

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