ADA’s Vegan Food Pyramid

Recognizing that as much as 40 percent of the vegetarian population is vegan, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has introduced a new food pyramid and guide for vegetarians. This new guide has axed the familiar dairy group and instead provides examples of calcium-rich foods for each of the five groups listed: grains, protein-rich foods, vegetables, fruits, and fats. Along with listing cow’s milk as a vitamin D source in the tips for meal planning, ADA suggests daily sun exposure or certain brands of fortified soymilk and breakfast cereals. The tips also say to get a good amount of vitamin B12, whether it is from fortified nutritional yeast and soymilk or a vitamin B12 supplement. With vegan and vegetarian diets finally getting proper representation, the days of the meat-and-dairy pyramid scheme may be over.