Thoughts on vegetarian/ vegan diet

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am curious about what advice I should give to a patient about a vegetarian or vegan diet for lifestyle adjustments. I have seen many benefits for patients overall health but I wanted to see if others had and opinion. Thanks

0 Votes

I generally follow the RD's recommendation/plan.

10 Votes
Specializes in ER.

I wish vegans weren't so obsessed and evangelical. I lump veganism in with politics and religion as to what not discuss endlessly with family, friends and coworkers.

17 Votes

I think it would depend on what they were asking or what their specific issue(s) are ...but in general, dietary consult is the way to go.

4 Votes
Just now, Emergent said:

I wish vegans weren't so obsessed and evangelical. I lump veganism in with politics and religion as to what not discuss endlessly with family, friends and coworkers.

They're not all that way ...but the ones you hear from frequently may be.

3 Votes

Big NO. If it isn't, it should be, waaay out of a nurses scope of practice to advise patients on their diet!

8 Votes
Specializes in ER.
5 minutes ago, brownbook said:

Big NO. If it isn't, it should be, waaay out of a nurses scope of practice to advise patients on their diet!

I give people advice all the time. Stop drinking pop, avoid processed food, cut out sugary foods. Americans are often malnourished in spite of too many calories.

16 Votes
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

The staff at a chain BBQ restaurant in Texas (I think they are in some other southern states too) wears a T-shirt that says, "I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables!"

That's what I'd like to advise...but otherwise I'd refer to the dietitian. :whistling:

8 Votes
1 hour ago, brownbook said:

Big NO. If it isn't, it should be, waaay out of a nurses scope of practice to advise patients on their diet!

Why?

It is an integral part of many nursing jobs.

9 Votes

Diet teaching is fine if it's based on well-established guidelines.
I don't think it's appropriate to teach something that hasn't been well-established for the patient's specific needs, though ...evidence based practice, and whatnot.
I can't think of any medical condition where a vegetarian diet is specifically called for.

7 Votes

Vegetarianism and veganism have become the new religion, so I would stay far, far away.

8 Votes
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
2 hours ago, brownbook said:

Big NO. If it isn't, it should be, waaay out of a nurses scope of practice to advise patients on their diet!

If you are a nurse working in the community you need to be able to do some nutrition education. I'm comfortable with the basics of teaching diet for stable people in the community.

I would never recommend a vegan diet, because that's not what the CDC recommends. But if my patient is already a vegan I am comfortable teaching them about how to get their macro and micronutrients from vegan food.

I took nutrition and health promotion as part of my nursing education.

11 Votes
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