Our Position
We believe the best approach to eating is one that is predominantly based on a wide variety of nature’s whole plant foods and may also include a small amount of dairy and eggs. This style of eating is known also as lacto-ovo vegetarian and is sometimes simply referred to as “vegetarian” or “meat-free” eating. By nature’s whole plant foods* we mean vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices.
Why do we believe this?
We have been committed to a plant-based approach to eating from the foundation of our company in 1898. It is a philosophy first articulated in the Bible and further expanded in the writings of one of our visionary founders, Ellen White.
Since that time, an overwhelming amount of scientific research has proven that plant-based eating can contribute to better health. Well-balanced vegetarian diets increase longevity and quality of life by protecting against overweight and obesity, heart disease, many types of cancer, hypertension (high blood pressure) and stroke, type 2 diabetes, constipation, diverticular disease, gallstones, gout and osteoporosis.
Plant-based eating, as a lifestyle choice, enhances world wellbeing – it is protective of animals and environmentally sustainable, leaving a gentle ‘ecoprint’ on the world.
Can vegetarian diets provide all the nutrients we need?
Well-balanced vegetarian diets - containing small amounts of dairy and eggs - can certainly meet all our nutritional needs for protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B12, iodine and essential fatty acids.
For vegans, who consume no dairy or eggs, supplementation with vitamin B12 may be necessary.
Your personal choice
While we believe that a vegetarian style of eating is an ideal approach to eating, we believe that people should choose an eating style that suits their food preferences and requirements. We appreciate that not everyone will want to be vegetarian, but we do want people to know that a vegetarian diet can provide optimal nutrition and that it has been shown to increase both length and quality of life. We simply want to encourage everyone to enjoy more whole plant foods so they can experience the benefits of plant-based eating for themselves.
* We believe these foods are best consumed whole or as close to their natural state as possible. We also believe that some processing may be necessary to make nutrients more available or to bring these wholesome foods to people in a way that enables them to be easily and conveniently incorporated into their daily lives.
Published by the Communications Department – May 2008