Q&A: Vickey Hachey RHN

To get more information on the vegan diet, I decided to get in contact with a nutritionist. Vicky Hachey is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist at Intent Nutrition & LifeStyle Consulting, in Hamilton, Ontario. She spoke to me about the benefits of a vegan diet, and what to be mindful of.



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Would you recommend the vegan diet?

I think it has its benefits, and as long as the person knows what they’re doing. Just because you’re vegan, doesn’t mean you’re eating healthy. Often times I find that they’re eating a lot of processed foods, packaged foods, a lot of grains, a lot of breads, because they’re trying to feel satisfied. I think most people that go from a vegetarian to vegan diet, hopefully they’ve mastered that. It’s very individual. I don’t push any diet on anyone. Yes, there are some benefits [to the vegan diet] for sure, but as long as you’re doing it properly.

What are some benefits you would get from a vegan diet?

If you’re doing it properly, then probably clarity of mind, more energy, clear skin, being more regular (your menstrual cycle). There are lots of benefits, for sure.

In terms of nutrition, what do you think vegans should ensure they are getting in their diet?

The iron and the B12. B12 you get from nutritional yeast, you can get iron from molasses and spinach- they’re usually the higher sources of iron. Spirulina is probably one of the better choices for those components.

It all goes down to digestion too. My kids, when they were smaller, we used to do a lot of paper mache, so white flour and water makes a paste. When you’re eating a lot of white flour products you’re allowing a lot of paste, for lack of a better word, between your stomach and your small intestine. You have these little villi, and it gets clogged up, so when you’re eating all the good stuff, you’re not absorbing all of the nutrients.

I would try to have some good fats in there, and your vegetables for sure.