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 unrestricted diet, each lasting two menstrual cycles, was used. Three-day dietary records and a quantitative instrument rating diet acceptability and perceived benefits and adverse effects were administered in each phase. Subjects were women with no health problems other than menstrual pain who responded to an advertisement for a community-based study. Of 51 volunteers, 35 completed the study. The vegan diet derived approximately 10% of energy from fat. Participants attended weekly meetings and cooking demonstrations. The main outcome measures were nutrient intake, dietary acceptability, and perceived benefits or adverse effects. Statistical analyses consisted of a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test for acceptability variables and McNemar's chi-square for benefits and adverse effects. Energy, protein, fat, cholesterol, and calcium intake fell during the vegan phase, whereas fiber intake rose. The acceptability of the vegan diet was no different from that of the unrestricted diet on any acceptability measure, except for effort required. Perceived weight loss and increased energy were frequently reported during the vegan phase. Perceived benefits of a low-fat vegan diet facilitate adherence. For many individuals, diet acceptability is no barrier to its clinical use.