Adherence to a Mediterranean diet by vegetarians and vegans as compared to omnivores

Abstract

To assess adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedD) by vegetarians and vegans compared to omnivores, we recruited an internet-based convenience sample of 565, 151 and 514 Israeli (>20 years) vegans, vegetarians and omnivores. Studies assessing vegetarians’ and vegans’ adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedD) are scarce. We recruited an internet-based convenience sample of 565, 151 and 514 Israeli vegans, vegetarians and omnivores, mostly female with a normal weight. We assessed their MedD scores (MedDS) and their food groups’ consumption by two food frequency questionnaires: (1) Trichopoulou’s MedDS (range 0–9); (2) Literature-based MedDS (LBMedDS) (range 0–18). We found that vegans tend to consume significantly more legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables than omnivores. The multivariable-adjusted odds for high MedDS (a score ≥4) (compared to omnivores) assessed by Trichopoulou’s score were: 32.35-fold higher in vegans (95% CI, 21.43–48.84) and 3.13-fold higher in vegetarians (95% CI, 2.06–4.76). Using the LBMedDS, vegans had 2.30-fold higher odds for high MedD adherence (a score ≥12) and vegetarians 1.66-fold higher odds compared to omnivores. In conclusion, we found a higher MedD adherence among vegans and vegetarians compared to omnivores.

Keywords:

• Mediterranean diet
• vegan diet
• vegetarian diet
• food patterns

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Oded Streigold for his technical support.

Disclosure statement

The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article. The study protocol was a priori approved by The Institutional Review Board of Tel-Aviv university. Kerem Avital work as a dietitian in “Animals Now” organization. All other authors declare no conflict of interest