TABLE 1.
Characteristics of various dietary patterns emphasizing plant-based foods1
| Diet | Macronutrient composition (% of total energy) | General information |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet | Carbohydrate: 55–60%Protein: 15–20%Fat: 20–30% | This diet emphasizes eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts, while limiting the consumption of red meat, sugary drinks, and sodium. It is balanced in nutrients, high in fiber, and low in saturated fat. |
| Mediterranean diet | Carbohydrate: 35–40%Protein: 12–20%Fat: 35–50% | This diet emphasizes eating plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts) and vegetable (olive) oils. It is high in dietary fat (mainly monounsaturated), moderate in fish and poultry, and low in red meat. |
| Nordic diet | Carbohydrate: 45–60%Protein: 10–20%Fat: 25–40% | This diet emphasizes whole, local, seasonal foods, with lots of fruits, vegetables, fish, other lean proteins, and whole grains. It is rich in fruits, berries, vegetables, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, rye breads, fish, seafood, low-fat dairy, herbs, spices, and rapeseed (canola) oil; moderate in game meats, free-range eggs, cheese, and yogurt; and low in other red meats and animal fats, added sugars, processed meats, food additives, and refined fast foods. |
| Vegetarian diet | Carbohydrate: 51–55%Protein: 12–14%Fat: 30–33% | This diet consists of grains, vegetables, fruits, sugars, oils, eggs (ovo-vegetarian), and dairy (lacto-vegetarian), and generally not >1 serving per month of meat or seafood. Meat-based protein sources are replaced by a mix of plant-based proteins (legumes), fruits, and vegetables. |
| Pescetarian diet | Carbohydrate: 50–53%Protein: 14%Fat: 31–33% | This diet is similar to the lacto-ovo-vegetarian one, with the simple addition of fish and seafood. Meat-based protein sources are replaced by a mix of seafood, fruits, and vegetables. |
| Flexitarian diet | Carbohydrate: 52%Protein: 13%Fat: 35% | This diet is similar to the pescetarian one. It emphasizes eating plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains), while allowing meat and other animal products (poultry, fish, and dairy) in moderation. It limits added sugars, sweets, and processed foods in general. |
| Vegan diet | Carbohydrate: 55–58%Protein: 12–14%Fat: 28–30% | This diet replaces all animal-based protein sources with a mix of plant-based proteins (legumes), fruits, and vegetables. It excludes eggs and dairy products. |