Vegetarian foods appeal to consumers ranging from vegans-who avoid eggs, dairy, honey, and any animal derivatives in addition to meat, poultry, and fish-through health-oriented omnivores who choose vegetarian foods frequently or occasionally. From veggie burgers to soy milk, you can now find a complete selection of vegetarian foods on the shelves of most large supermarkets.
If you're thinking of going vegetarian or have already been there for awhile, the Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) offers a complete guide to the vegetarian lifestyle. Dedicated to educating the public on vegetarianism and related issues of health and vegetarian nutrition, VRG has a friendly and informative site with a long list of vegetarian-related information.
VRG is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on vegetarianism and the interrelated issues of health, nutrition, ecology, ethics, and world hunger. In addition to publishing the Vegetarian Journal, VRG produces and sells cookbooks, other books, pamphlets, and article reprints. The VRG health professionals, activists, and educators work with businesses and individuals to bring about healthy changes in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Registered dietitians and physicians aid in the development of nutrition related publications and answer member or media questions about the vegetarian diet. VRG have had booths and given presentations at the annual meetings of The National Education Association, The American Federation of Teachers, The American Dietetic Association, The American School Food Service Association, and Society for Nutrition Education. Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D., the nutrition advisor, is author of The United States Department of Agriculture Nutri-Topics bibliography on vegetarianism. VRG also periodically sponsors weekend gatherings and one-day conferences and aids in the creation and encouragement of local vegetarian groups.
The VRG's polls have found that American vegetarians are more likely to live on either coast, reside in large cities, and be women who work outside the home. Twice as many women as men are vegetarian. People ages 18-29 are more likely to follow a vegetarian diet. Vegetarian foods manufacturer Lightlife reports that the average consumers of meat alternatives are very well-educated couples without children and with dual incomes. The company's most successful geographic areas have been the West Coast, Northeast, Florida, and the Rockies.
The average meat alternatives shopper is a woman between ages 24 and 54. However, these typical profiles should not obscure the fact that consumers of vegetarian foods represent all age, income, education, and geographical demographics. Vegetarians easily meet their protein needs by eating a varied diet, as long as they consume enough calories to maintain their weight. It is not necessary to plan combinations of foods.
A mixture of proteins throughout the day will provide enough essential amino acids.