Q: Does being a vegetarian make a person more healthy?

A: While typically a vegetarian eating plan tends to be super low in saturated fat and cholesterol, its not automatically low in total fat and sugar.

One should also limit the intake of fatty foods, oils, spreads and sweets.

Bear in mind that some local vegetarian dishes are prepared with lots of fat and oil.

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Ensuring adequate nutrition

A vegetarian diet may put one at risk of being deficient in certain nutrients, says mayoclinic.com.

For example, a vegan diet - an eating plan which consists of only plant-based foods - does not have sources of vitamin B12, which is found exclusively in meat products. Vegans can get vitamin B-12 from some enriched cereals, fortified soy products or by taking a supplement that contains this vitamin. 

Although other nutrients like iron and zinc are available in a meatless diet, the body does not use plant food sources of these minerals very effectively. Vegetarians need to make extra effort to ensure that these minerals are included in their diet. 

Dried beans and peas, lentils, enriched cereals, whole-grain products, dark leafy green vegetables, and dried fruit are good sources of iron.

Good sources of zinc include whole grains, soy products, nuts and wheat germ.

Mayo Clinic is a leading not-for-profit medical practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of virtually every type of complex illness.