In this DGE position statement on vegan diet, not only health aspects were considered, but also the additional dimensions of a sustainable diet, namely environmental, social and animal welfare. However, the approaches for evaluating the impact of diets on the social and animal welfare target dimensions are not yet sufficiently established and have not been comprehensively applied. Therefore, the position statement on vegan diet focuses on the health and environmental dimensions.

A vegan diet has been found to have potential advantages and disadvantages for health compared to other diets. For the general population, a vegan diet, like other diets, can be health-promoting, provided that vitamin B12 is supplemented, the food selection is balanced and well-planned, and the nutrient requirements of potentially critical nutrients are sufficiently covered (possibly also via further nutrient supplements).

For vulnerable groups, i.e. children, adolescents, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and elderly people, the DGE cannot make a clear recommendation either in favour of or against a vegan diet due to limited available data. Due to the risk of potential, possibly irreversible consequences if not implemented properly, vegan diets in vulnerable groups require particularly well-founded nutritional knowledge.

Therefore, for these groups nutritional counselling by qualified specialists is strongly recommended for adequate implementation.

A vegan diet is particularly environmentally friendly and is a recommended measure to reduce the environmental impact of food systems.

Taking into account both health and environmental aspects, a diet with a significant reduction in animal-based foods is recommended. 

Free access to position statement and eSupplement.