The word "vegan" (,begin bold,vee,end bold, • gun) can refer to a particular kind of diet or the person who follows that diet. V
egans typically do not consume animal products, so their diets avoid meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or dairy products. There are various reasons that people decide to become vegans; one reason is for the perceived health benefits of a vegan diet.
Many experts say that a well-planned vegan diet is healthy, but vegans must choose their foods wisely. The animal and dairy products in a non-vegan diet provide important nutrients such as vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D. Vegans must find plant-based sources for these nutrients. For example, vegans can get vitamin B12 from fortified,superscript,1,baseline, breakfast cereals or foods made from soybeans. Many dark-green vegetables contain calcium; so do red beans and calcium-fortified fruit juices. Vegans can get vitamin D from fortified soy milk or rice milk. A healthy vegan diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans.
People who want to switch to a vegan diet should start slowly. They should learn everything they can about being vegan and discuss their plan with a doctor or a dietician.,superscript,2,baseline, They should read food labels to see which foods contain animal products and look through a vegan cookbook. Then they might try a few popular vegan foods, such as veggie burgers. Many of the foods they ate before can remain part of a vegan diet. Vegans can still enjoy a crisp salad and a shiny, red apple!
Question
Which pair of statements, best expresses two main ideas in the passage?
1. Most people who become vegan make the switch because a vegan diet is healthier than other diets. Vegans can get all essential nutrients by including a variety of vegetables and fruits in their daily diet.
2. The term "vegan" refers to people whose diets do not include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or dairy products. People should not switch to a vegan diet without first learning how to prepare vegan foods.
3. A vegan diet may lack nutrients such as vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D that meat-based diets provide. People who become vegan discover that their new diet includes many of the same foods they ate before.
4. Vegans must make sure that their diets include a balance of proper nutrients from plant-based sources. People who want to become vegan should educate themselves about the diet and make gradual changes.
