Food categories contributions to energy and nutrient intakes among youth adhering to vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pescatarian or omnivorous diets

Abstract Purpose When adopting plant-based diets, animal-sourced foods need to be replaced with nutritionally adequate plant-based alternatives. However, limited studies have assessed which foods provide key nutrients in plant-based diets among youth. This study investigated the contribution of food categories to intakes of energy and nutrients among youth adhering to vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pescatarian or omnivorous diets in Sweden. Methods Dietary intakes of 16–24 year-olds (60 vegans, 59 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 55 pescatarians, 61 omnivores) were assessed using four 24-h dietary recalls. The contribution of each food category ( n = 24) to average intakes of energy, macro-, and micronutrients were calculated and investigated. Results With increasing exclusion of animal-sourced food categories from the diet, a greater proportion of youths’ intakes of protein, iron, calcium, selenium, and zinc came from meat analogs, legumes, and cereals and grain products. Similarly, a greater proportion of intakes of vitamins (D, B 2 , B 12 ) and calcium came from dairy alternatives (highest among vegans). Nevertheless, average intakes of vitamin D, B 12 , calcium (vegans only), and selenium were lower among vegans and lacto-ovo-vegetarians than among omnivores. In contrast, replacing animal-sourced foods with plant-based alternatives led to higher intakes of fiber and lower intakes of saturated fat. Conclusion The more animal-sourced food categories that were excluded from the diet, the more youths’ relied on cereals and grain products, meat analogs, dairy alternatives (fortified), and legumes as sources of energy and nutrients. Particular attention to vitamin D, B 12 , selenium, and calcium (vegans only) and their food sources may be needed when planning vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets.