This work is an integrative literature review that aims to compare vegetarian and non vegetarian diets in terms of energy, macro and micronutrients and investigate their
impacts on children and adolescents. The search was based on the results found in
the databases PubMed, ScienceDirect and Periódico CAPES, realized in March
2021, using the descriptors vegan OR vegetarian AND infant OR child, preschool OR
children OR adolescent AND "nutrient intake" OR "nutritional status" OR "dietary
fibers" OR "energy intake" OR "dietary proteins" OR "dietary carbohydrates" OR
"dietary fats". Nine studies were included, which, in general, it was observed that, in
relation to macronutrients, the two groups studied were adequate for nutritional
recommendations, but it was possible to observe higher consumption of calories and
macronutrients among the nonvegetarians. As for micronutrients, the two groups
had similar consumption and large inadequacy rates of calcium and iron, while a low
adequacy of zinc by vegetarians in this review. When it comes to vitamin B12, non vegetarians had greater or equal average intake to the detriment of the other group,
which in this case, needs to supplement it to avoid its deficiency. The adoption of a
vegetarian dietary pattern can meet the caloric and macronutrient needs even in
childhood and adolescence, although the vegetarian diet, in general, offers nutrients
in smaller amounts and bioavailability, and it is recommended continuous monitoring
of micronutrients in food planning of these groups to avoid such nutritional
deficiencies.
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