Which nutrient is particularly important for vegetarians to ensure adequate intake?

Prepare for the WJEC Food Science and Nutrition Level 3 Test. Use multiple choice questions with instant feedback for effective study. Be confident and ready for the exam!

Multiple Choice

Which nutrient is particularly important for vegetarians to ensure adequate intake?

Explanation:
Vitamin B12 is the one most likely to be low in vegetarian diets because it is found almost exclusively in animal products. This nutrient is essential for making healthy red blood cells and for proper nervous system function. Plant foods generally don’t provide reliable B12 unless they’re fortified, so vegetarians—especially vegans—need to rely on fortified foods (such as some plant milks, cereals, or nutritional yeast) or a supplement to meet daily needs. Deficiency can take years to develop due to liver stores, but it can lead to fatigue, anemia, and nerve problems if not addressed. While other nutrients like vitamin D, iron, and vitamin C are important to consider in a vegetarian diet, B12 is the nutrient most at risk and thus particularly important to ensure adequate intake.

Vitamin B12 is the one most likely to be low in vegetarian diets because it is found almost exclusively in animal products. This nutrient is essential for making healthy red blood cells and for proper nervous system function. Plant foods generally don’t provide reliable B12 unless they’re fortified, so vegetarians—especially vegans—need to rely on fortified foods (such as some plant milks, cereals, or nutritional yeast) or a supplement to meet daily needs. Deficiency can take years to develop due to liver stores, but it can lead to fatigue, anemia, and nerve problems if not addressed. While other nutrients like vitamin D, iron, and vitamin C are important to consider in a vegetarian diet, B12 is the nutrient most at risk and thus particularly important to ensure adequate intake.

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