Acceptability of a therapeutic low-fat, vegan diet in premenopausal women

A quantitative assessment of the acceptability of a low-fat, vegan diet in healthy women was undertaken A crossover design using a vegan diet and an u nrestricted diet, each lasting two menstrual cycles, was used. Three-day di etary records and a quantitative instrument rating diet acceptability and p erceived benefits and adverse effects were administered in each phase. Subj ects were women with no health problems other than menstrual pain who respo nded to an advertisement for a community-based study. Of 51 volunteers, 35 completed the study. The vegan diet derived approximately 10% of energy fro m fat. Participants attended weekly meetings and cooking demonstrations. Th e main outcome measures were nutrient intake, dietary acceptability, and pe rceived benefits or adverse effects. Statistical analyses consisted of a Wi lcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test for acceptability variables and McNe mar's chi-square for benefits and adverse effects. Energy, protein, fat, ch olesterol, and calcium intake fell during the vegan phase, whereas fiber in take rose. The acceptability of the vegan diet was no different from that o f the unrestricted diet on any acceptability measure, except for effort req uired. Perceived weight loss and increased energy were frequently reported during the vegan phase. Perceived benefits of a low-fat vegan diet facilita te adherence. For many individuals, diet acceptability is no barrier to its clinical use.