Publications > Nutrition Guidelines
We're updating our nutrition guidance in accordance with the British Dietetic Association's Care Home Digest. In the meantime, you can download our 2023 guide here, and refer directly to the Care Home Digest at the BDA website.
Ideal for care home and hospital caterers, this publication answers frequently asked questions concerning older vegetarians and vegans, such as:
Published in September 2020 and updated here for 2023 to reflect the latest scientific evidence.
Protein, page 3, 'You don’t need to combine specific protein foods at each meal because your body can store amino acids until needed.'
This sentence should now read: 'You don’t need to combine specific protein foods at each meal.’
Iodine, page 9, 'Therefore a supplement containing iodine is the most reliable source for vegans.'
This sentence should now read: ’Therefore a supplement containing iodine may be the most reliable source for vegans.’
For V for Life’s position statement on vegetarianism and veganism, please click here.
As we age, how we eat for health may change over time. It is important to focus on maintaining muscle strength, avoiding unplanned weight loss rather than unwanted weight gain, with a stronger focus on quality and choosing nutrient-rich foods. This guide aims to help older vegetarians and vegans to maintain or improve their health and wellbeing.