Many Seventh-day Adventists are vegetarians. Members of the church believe that a vegetarian diet preserves the health of the mind, body and spirit, according to the Seventh-day Adventists Dietetic Association. Although some members do eat meat, the vegetarian diet, as well as abstinence from caffeine and alcohol, is strongly urged from childhood on.
What to Eat
The Seventh-day Adventist Dietetic Association recommends a vegetarian diet consisting of nine or more daily servings of vegetables and fruits and six servings of whole grains, legumes and cereals. You can also have small amounts of seeds and nuts and low-fat dairy products and eggs. This diet follows the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid for vegetarians.
What to Avoid
Foods high in fat are to be avoided. Alcohol, coffee and tea are also to be avoided because of their limited nutritional value and their potential to block the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.
Health Benefits
Those following the Seventh-day Adventist diet may have a lower risk of developing arthritis, diabetes, certain types of cancer, heart disease and high-blood pressure, according to a study published in 1999 in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."
Nutrition Considerations
A 1989 article in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" found that vegetarian Seventh-day Adventists had better nutrient intake than nonvegetarian Seventh-day Adventists, as well as better blood-glucose control and lower cholesterol levels. But vegans need to monitor their calcium, iron, protein, vitamin B-12 and zinc to make sure they're getting enough. Supplements may be necessary. Lacto-ovo vegetarians may need to monitor their iron, protein and zinc.
References
- Seventh-day Adventists Dietetic Association; The Seventh-day Adventist Position Statement on Vegetarian Diets; 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Associations Between Diet and Cancer, Ischemic Heart Disease, and All-cause Mortality in Non-Hispanic White California Seventh-day Adventists; Gary E. Fraser; September 1999
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Dietary Status of Seventh-Day Adventist Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian Elderly Women; D.C. Nieman, et al.; December 1989
- "Nutrition Journal"; Vegetarian Diets are Associated with Healthy Mood States: a Cross-Sectional Study in Seventh-Day Adventist Adults; Bonnie L. Beezhold, et al.; June 2010
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