5 Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Vegetarians

• Vitamin B-12. A supplement of this essential vitamin, absent from plant foods, is critical for vegetarians.

  
  

• Calcium. For vegans, fortified orange juice or fortified soy products can help. Lacto-ovo vegetarians can get calcium from dairy products.

  
  

• Vitamin D. Because cow's milk and sunlight are major sources, vegans who shun the sun should take vitamin D supplements.

  
  

• Zinc. Red meat is a prime source, but vegetarians can compensate with beans, lentils and soy foods.

  
  

• Iron. The body absorbs iron from plants more poorly than iron from animal sources. Non-meat sources of iron include dried beans and peas and dark greens.