A nurse is caring for a client who follows a lacto-vegetarian diet. Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend?
A.
Chicken
B.
Clam chowder
C.
Tuna fish
D.
Cheese
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Cheese.
Explanation:
A lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products but excludes meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. This diet is primarily plant-based, with the addition of dairy products to ensure adequate intake of certain nutrients. The term “lacto” refers to dairy, so lacto-vegetarians consume milk and milk-based products.
Here’s a breakdown of the food choices:
- A. Chicken: Chicken is a type of poultry and thus falls into the category of animal products. A lacto-vegetarian diet specifically excludes all forms of meat and poultry, so chicken would not be appropriate for someone following this diet.
- B. Clam chowder: Clam chowder is a seafood-based soup, which contains clams, a type of shellfish. Like chicken, clams are animal products and are not suitable for a lacto-vegetarian diet.
- C. Tuna fish: Tuna is a type of fish, and as with other seafood, it is excluded from a lacto-vegetarian diet. The diet does not permit any fish or other animal proteins.
- D. Cheese: Cheese is a dairy product, which is acceptable for lacto-vegetarians. It provides protein and calcium, which are important nutrients that lacto-vegetarians might need to ensure they get enough of in their diet. Cheese can be a valuable source of nutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D, which can sometimes be challenging to obtain in sufficient amounts from plant-based sources alone.
In summary, for a client following a lacto-vegetarian diet, cheese is the appropriate food choice among the options provided. It aligns with their dietary restrictions and offers essential nutrients.