Australian government recognises vegan diet

Australia’s top health body, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has finally recognised that a vegan diet is a viable option for all Australians. Australia’s top health experts are now in agreement with those in the USA and Canada that well-planned vegan diets are safe and healthy for all age groups. In the newly-released Australian Dietary Guidelines , plant-derived foods are given as alternatives to animal-derived foods, with meal planning advice accommodating vegan eating. The Guidelines also state that alternatives to animal foods (such as nuts, seeds, legumes, beans and tofu) can, for all Australians, “increase dietary variety and can provide a valuable, affordable source of protein and other nutrients found in meats.” Vegan Australia has announced how pleased it is that government health experts are finally taking on board the large body of scientific evidence which shows that a vegan diet is not only a viable option for people of any age (including babies and pregnant and breast feeding women) but that eating plant foods in favour of animal-derived foods can bring many health benefits, such as reduction in incidence of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some types of cancer. “This has been a long process and I am very happy that the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) has looked at all the evidence and at last presented Australians with the real option of choosing a vegan diet.” said Greg McFarlane, Chair of Vegan Australia. “Along with many others, Vegan Australia has been urging the NH&MRC to bring its guidelines into line with similar bodies in the USA and Canada. Last year, Vegan Australia wrote two submissions urging them to reexamine the evidence. I am glad they have finally seen the light”, he said. Amanda Benham, Food Industry and Consumer Campaign Manager of Vegan Australia and an Accredited Practising Dietitian, said “This is fantastic news for all Australians who are interested in eating in a cruelty-free, healthy and eco-friendly way. The Guidelines and the new Australian Guide to Healthy Eating not only endorse a vegan eating pattern, but provide valuable information on how to plan healthy vegan eating patterns for people of any age or stage of life.” View the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating poster here . Vegan Australia is a focused, media-savvy organisation which works at a national level to support the vegan community. The group advocates for veganism using public campaigns and presents a strong voice for veganism to governments, institutions, corporations and the media. The name “Vegan Australia” represents an ethical and political statement about what they want – a vegan Australia.