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This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2024/6-7

Dr. Zoltán Szabó
associate professor
University of Pécs

Dr Zoltán Szabó, associate professor at the University of Pécs gave a presentation on the nutritional science of plant-based diets. The young dietitian and nutritionist presented the results of studies on the health benefits of plant-based diets, also highlighting the potential pitfalls. He told that a well-planned vegetarian and vegan diet can be healthy at all stages of life, and can also have benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. However, just like all diets, plant-based eating can go wrong, so it is important to emphasise the potential risk factors, not just the benefits.

Not eating enough animal source food can put you at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. The expert stressed that protein deficiency is virtually unimaginable to occur in western society. Nevertheless, a common misconception about protein consumption is that it isn’t possible or it is difficult to achieve when following a plant-based diet. On the contrary, recent professional recommendations say: if one has enough calories and follows a varied diet, they will get an adequate supply of protein. Dr Zoltán Szabó compared the available recommendations of major international organisations concerning vegetarianism and veganism. As far as Hungary and Europe are concerned, we can see that the number of people reducing their consumption of foods of animal origin is increasing as health consciousness is spreading. “We are witnessing a shift, but switching to a plant-based diet isn’t the ‘Holy Grail’ that solves every problem”, explained the expert. //