Personal malnutrition

Question
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Followup To
Question -
If an individual were to live primarily on whole grain rice and legumes, also taking a multivitamin every day and eating a moderate amount of vegetables, are there any significant nutritional holes in need of patching?

Thanks.
Answer -
You would need a variety of whole grains besides just rice to ensure you were getting all the essential amino acids you need (the building blocks of protein).  Legumes can act as a good source of protein and complex carbs but as stated previously you would need a good variety.  Vegetables are important but fruit is ALSO.  They both contribute different varieties of nutrients and different types of fiber that are important.  
Without a dairy source it would be important to concentrate on other foods that are good sources of vitamin D and calcium intake.  The other food group that would be missing is fat.  Fat IS an essential nutrient so you would need to include the "healthy" unsaturated fats.
My suggestion would be to visit a dietitian that specializes in vegetarian diets!  You really need to learn HOW to eat a balanced diet that includes no animal products.  If you don't balance your diet out correctly there can be nutritional "holes".  A dietitian can properly educate you and help you with various meal plans!
You can find a dietitian in your area by visiting www.eatright.org.
Kim Tessmer, RD LD
www.Nutrifocus.net

Eating a variety of grains might be a problem due to celiac disease.  Are there any easily available grains that would fill in the gaps left by rice, without triggering celiac symptoms?  Adding fruit is no problem at all.  I had thought legumes contained enough fat, I guess I was wrong.  Would use of olive oil be enough to cover this?  And what are good sources of vitamin D and calcium?  Would a multivitamin not cover at least the vitamin D?

Answer
Didn't realize you have celiac disease.  In that case I would highly recommend making an appt. with a dietitian that specializes in gluten-free diets!!  Trying to help you with this would be impossible in a few sentences. You need to be properly educated and get proper nutritional therapy on a gluten-free diet!!   A dietitian would be able to help you answer all of your questions as they pertain to celiac disease and a vegetarian diet.  
You can find a dietitian at www.eatright.org and I want to stress that you need to find one that specializes in celiac disease/gluten free diets.  Not all dietitians have a background in this disorder and the diet can be very complicated.  I am sorry I am not able to help you through allexperts.com but this site is only for general questions.  Your question is much more than general and tells me that you need to be seen by a dietitian for proper consultation and education.
Kim Tessmer, RD LD

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