Kristine Duncan

Vegetarian Diets in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Kristine Duncan, MS, RD ... helps or harms most people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The talk will feature Christine Duncan, Community Health Educator for St. Joseph's Hospital.She will address the #1 killer of women: heart disease.

with Kristine Duncan, RD, CD

Books such as The New Becoming Vegetarian and Becoming Vegan, both by Brenda Davis, R.D. and Vesanto Melina, R.D., and the set of helpful information sheets on vegetarian nutrition from the American Dietetic Association provide excellent nutritional guidelines for meal planning. (To order the set send a check for $25 made out to DPG#14 to Kristine Duncan, MS, RD, 1307 Sudden Valley, Bellingham, WA 98229.)

'It's not difficult, they just choose from different foods, ' said Kristine Duncan, a registered dietitian with the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, a subgroup of the American Dietetic Association.

She stressed that both vegans and omnivores must be vigilant about eating a balanced diet.Learning about the nutrients available in fresh foods and reading the labels of packaged food are the best ways to ensure a balanced diet, she said.

In some cases, vitamin supplements and fortified foods can ensure a healthful diet.For vegans, this is especially important in meeting B-12 and calcium requirements.

B-12, which is found only in animal foods, is one of the greatest concerns for vegans.The recommended daily allowance for B-12 is 2.4 micrograms daily.Deficiency takes a long time to show up because the vitamin can be stored in the liver, Duncan said, but it be serious because it affects the brain.

'Usually, they can just get it in fortified foods, but it is recommended that all vegans take a B-12 supplement, ' she said.

Calcium is available in many foods other than dairy.For example, there is as much calcium in cup of collard greens as there is in a cup of milk.Along with dark, leafy vegetables, other sources include tofu made with calcium, certain legumes, such as black beans, and fortified soy milk or orange juice.It can also be found in unexpected sources, such as almonds and black strap molasses, she said.

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Being a strict vegan, however, requires a commitment to finding the sources for the food and products you need as well as a shift in lifestyle, Duncan said.

'At home it be pretty easy to control, especially now because there are so many food products out, ' said Duncan, who has been a vegetarian for eight years. 'Vegans can go to the freezer and buy convenience foods.

'When you go out or go to a friend's house, it can be difficult, ' she said.

There are many resources for potential vegans at the library and on the Web.Experts recommend that those going on any special diet consult a physician or nutritionist.

Kristine Duncan Nutrition Services, St. Joseph Hospital (360) 738-6300 x4038

by Kristine Duncan, MS, RD
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Kristine Duncan is a dietitian at St. Joseph Hospital in Oregon where she teaches vegetarian nutrition classes.Kristine is also an aspiring freelance writer.

This article was produced as a part of the writer mentoring program of the VN DPG.

by Kristine Duncan, MS, RD
...
Kristine Duncan is a dietitian at St. Joseph Hospital in Oregon where she teaches vegetarian nutrition classes. Kristine is also an aspiring freelance writer.

Kristine Duncan, MS, RD1307 Sudden ValleyBellingham, WA 98226360/714-8704 Work fax: 360/715-6495
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Kristine Duncan, MS, RD1307 Sudden ValleyBellingham, WA 98226360/714-8704 Work fax: 360/715-6495

Nominating Committee: Kristine Duncan, RD, CD, CDE and Miriam Edlefsen