Adolescent Nutrition.
In a time of rapid growth and change in the body, an adolescent's diet plays a particularly important role in their development. As the nutritional requirements of vegan adolescents are no different to any other teen, it is essential to nourish the body with nutrient-rich whole-foods. (Vegetarian Interest Group, 2011). Since a vegan diet typically features a high fruit and vegetable consumption, meeting the nutritional requirements are attainable through distributing one's consumption of the foods groups in accordance with the Vegan Plate, outlined in Figure 3.
Macronutrient Distribution.
Macronutrients, referring to "nutrients that provide energy and calories to enable bodily function" (McKinley, 2017) are classified into carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Through distributing one's macronutrient intake in alliance with the Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI), an adolescent can meet nutritional requirements.
For vegan adolescents:
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Vitamin & Minerals.
Vitamins and minerals are nutrients required by the body to boost the immune system, promote growth and development, and assist the functioning of cells and organs. (Oregon State University, 2016) Figure 4 and Figure 5 outline the vitamin and mineral recommendations for adolescent males and females.