Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, London, UK.
Institute for Prevention and Cancer Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2025 Feb;38(1):e13386. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13386. Epub 2024 Nov 3.
Plant-based diets (PBDs) have gained popularity in recent years due to their co-benefits for human and planetary health. Although clinical guidelines now recommend well-balanced PBDs, it remains unclear how dietitians in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI) view such diets and their implementation in practice. This study aimed to evaluate the perspectives of registered dietitians (RDs) on the role of a whole food plant-based diet (WFPBD) in clinical practice.
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted amongst RDs in the UK and ROI between September and November 2023.
A total of 335 RDs participated in the survey. Most RDs (76%) agree that a well-planned WFPBD is suitable for all stages of life, with some (48%) expressing concerns over the risk of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Three-quarters of RDs (75%) incorrectly thought that plant protein is incomplete, necessitating protein combining. A WFPBD was on average ranked fourth out of 14 dietary strategies for managing some of the leading non-communicable diseases. Excluding dairy and eggs was the primary reason preventing RDs from personally adopting a WFPBD, whereas meal preparation and cost were the main barriers for their clients. The majority of RDs (79%) feel they did not receive sufficient education on WFPBDs, with 58% agreeing there are insufficient evidence-based resources available in their field. Only 33% feel supported when advocating for a WFPBD in their workplace.
Although many RDs view WFPBDs as viable and clinically relevant, significant barriers to their implementation exist, underscoring the need for enhanced education and support.
近年来，由于植物性饮食对人类和地球健康的益处，其受到了广泛关注。尽管临床指南现在推荐均衡的植物性饮食，但营养师如何看待这种饮食以及如何在实践中实施，仍不清楚。本研究旨在评估英国和爱尔兰共和国注册营养师对全植物性饮食（WFPBD）在临床实践中的作用的看法。
2023 年 9 月至 11 月期间，在英国和爱尔兰共和国的注册营养师中进行了横断面在线调查。
共有 335 名营养师参与了调查。大多数营养师（76%）认为，精心计划的 WFPBD 适合生命的各个阶段，但也有一些（48%）对营养不足和微量营养素缺乏的风险表示担忧。四分之三的营养师（75%）错误地认为植物蛋白是不完整的，需要与蛋白质结合。WFPBD 在管理一些主要非传染性疾病的 14 种饮食策略中的平均排名第四。不包括奶制品和蛋类是营养师个人采用 WFPBD 的主要原因，而准备膳食和费用则是他们的客户面临的主要障碍。大多数营养师（79%）认为他们没有接受足够的 WFPBD 教育，58%的人同意他们所在领域缺乏基于证据的充足资源。只有 33%的营养师在工作场所提倡 WFPBD 时感到得到了支持。
尽管许多营养师认为 WFPBD 是可行且具有临床相关性的，但在实施方面存在重大障碍，这突显了加强教育和支持的必要性。
