healthy vegetarian resources and recipes

American Dietetic Association Alliance Sites

Web Program Expect To Find Potential Drawbacks

WebWatchHealthy Vegetarian Resources and Recipes

WebWatch

MyPyramid

www.mypyramid.gov/tips_resources/vegetarian_diets.html

No membership required

• Basic overview of nutrients needed for a healthy vegetarian diet

• Links to MyPyramid tips and Dietary Guidelines

• Emphasis on consuming a variety of foods with emphasis on key nutrients vegetarians need

• Explanations for why key nutrients are vital to the body

• Tips for vegetarian substitutes for nonvegetarian ingredients

• No recipes

• Short overview

Vegetarian Nutrition

www.vegetariannutrition.net

ADA Practice Group: limited access to nonmembers

• Links to scientific articles relevant to vegetarians

• Newsletters written by RDs—available for $30.00 for nonmembers— select articles are available for free

• Relays latest research findings

• Articles organized by health topics

• Well-researched fact sheets are available for purchase: $25 per set or $2 per copy—select sample fact sheets are available for free

• Robust list of links to other vegetarian websites

• Vegetarian events calendar and links to monthly events

• Limited access to nonmembers

• Links and newsletters assume a more advanced knowledge of nutrition

• Many links to scientific articles assume membership

• Not updated often

DOI: 10.1089/obe.2008.0215 © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. August 2008 Obesity Management 209

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USDA National Nutrient Database

www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=4451

No membership required

• Database of nutritional information for certain foods

• Free, downloadable software individuals can use without being connected to the Internet—available for both PCs and PDAs

• Lists calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals per serving of a food item

• Does not have tool to help you compile ingredients for a recipe

Web Program Expect To Find Potential Drawbacks

Seventh-day Adventist Dietetic Association

www.sdada.org/

Nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy of healthful living through use of a vegetarian diet.

Been in existence for over 53 years

ADA Practice Group: limited access to nonmembers

• Seventh-Day Adventist Dietetic Association resource for consumers and professionals

• Free access to “Health Tips” articles for all users

• Articles include topics on fitness and nutrition

• Access to a dietitian where users can directly e-mail RDs with specific questions

• “Good eating” guidelines

• Fact vs. Fiction on beliefs around vegetarian diets

• Tips on making meatless meals

• Heavy religious undertones may not appeal to some readers

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Web Program Expect To Find Potential Drawbacks

Post Punk Kitchen

www.theppk.com

Public access cooking show

No membership required

• Great selection of vegan recipes and highlighted recipes of the month

• Readers can submit their own recipes

• Recipes are tested, rated and reviewed

• Visitor can view video clips from in-house cooking show

• Forum discussions

• Blogs

• Links to cookbooks

• No Spanish available

• Some recipes are involved

• Only vegan recipes

• Geared toward the younger crowd

Vegetarian Cooking and Recipes

VegCooking

http://vegcooking.com/

People for Ethical Treament fo Animals (PETA)-run website

No membership required

• Vegetarian cooking toolkit

• Lists of favorite animal product food substitutions

• Sample vegan menus

• Recipes, and recipes of the week

• Dining out guides

• Tips for going vegetarian

• Shopping guide lists vegan foods found in grocery store

• New product spotlight

• Suggestions for meal replacements: meat, dairy, eggs, conversion, vegan kitchen essentials, etc

• “Ask the Vegan Chef” allows viewers to ask questions of vegan chef, Robin Robertson

• Learn how becoming vegan promotes your health and effects your life

• Blogs

• Robust resource section complete with highlights, such as: how to celebrate a holiday, making the transition, I can’t believe it’s vegan, and packing healthy lunches

• Focuses on veganism vs. vegetarian

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Web Program Expect To Find Potential Drawbacks

The Happy Cow

www.happycow.net/

No membership required

• Information for traveling and dining out vegetarian, restaurant guide

• Recipes, cookbook recommendations

• Health and Nutrition

• Whimsical links and links to online resources

• Vitamin and mineral section

• Vegetarian comic strips

• Vegetarian wisdom quotes and famous vegetarians

• Animal rights activism

• Community forum

• No Spanish available

• Site is aesthetically busy

• A lot of advertising

Other Resources or Directories

Vegetarian Teen

www.vegetarianteen.com/

No membership required

• A website for vegetarian teens and parents

• Recipes

• Teen contributions

• Reviews on articles, books, music, poetry, and products

• Interviews with fellow vegetarians

• Personal stories

• Q&A and FAQs

• Section for activism that teens can get involved in with areas like protecting the environment, volunteering, and protecting animals

• Columns with contributions from teens around the world. Topics include: holidays, cooking, nutrition, recipes, pregnancy, and raw foods

• Links for connecting teens with one another through message boards, summer camps, pen pals, conferences, and e-mail discussion groups

• Tips on how to handle the school environment

• Teen-friendly links

• Contests

• Some articles written by teens or people without certification