Experts highlight importance of vitamin B12 for vegans
The likelihood of vegetarians getting the nutrients they require from their diet is high thanks to their consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.
However, experts at the Vegetarian Society have pointed out that there is a particular issue with strict vegans, as they may not obtain enough vitamin B12 from their diet.
A spokeswoman for the educational charity explained: "If you are vegan and you're not having any dairy products or eggs, you do need to be careful to make sure you get a supply of vitamin B12."
The expert revealed that people only need a tiny amount, but that individuals who do not obtain this from their diet are at risk of pernicious anaemia, which is particularly hard to treat.
She advised: "We always say to vegans that they should be eating B12 fortified food; things such as yeast extract [and] breakfast cereals."
Regular vegetarians have a far lower risk of deficiency and are even likely to enjoy a number of health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and certain forms of cancer.
The likelihood of vegetarians getting the nutrients they require from their diet is high thanks to their consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.
