§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the research projects his Ministry is funding into the nutritional aspects of vegetarian diets, giving the amount spent on each project, the establishment where the work is being carried out, and when the project is due to be completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerMy Department is funding one project on nutritional aspects of vegetarian diets. The project is entitled "The Effects of Vegetarian Diet on Hormone Levels and Risks of Osteoporosis". The research is being done in the Department of Chemical Pathology at University College London and the Middlesex School of Medicine. The project will be completed on 17 February 1993 at a cost of £150,000. It is aimed at studying the effects of a vegetarian diet on bone density in women aged 30–55 years. The data gained overall will be of importance to the Department in its responsibility for giving dietary advice to population groups who may be at risk of developing disease.
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§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific evidence he has of(a) nutritional or (b) other deficiencies of' a diet which contains no meat; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThis Ministry is committed to the promotion of healthy eating. This is based on a balanced diet, which normally contains a proper proportion of meat. Those who do not eat meat need to take extra care that their diet contains enough of all the nutrients for health. Meat is a particularly rich source of B vitamins and well absorbed minerals, including iron. People habitually consuming diets which contain little or no meat may need higher iron intakes and thus diet selection needs to be made with much more care. Adolescent girls who avoid meat may be particularly at risk of iron deficiency.