The Sustainable Health from Food – National Nutrition Recommendations 2024 from Finland makes several mentions of vegan diets:
"[...]
[...] The use of dietary supplements is often unnecessary, but when used in accordance with the recommendations, they have a significant impact on the adequate intake of vitamin D in children and adolescents, and of vitamin B12 and iodine in those who follow a vegan diet. The adequate intake of nutrients can also be ensured through the fortification of food products [...].
[...]
Avoiding products of animal origin may lead to an insufficient intake of vitamin B12 unless supplemented with a dietary supplement or foods fortified with vitamin B12. A special risk group are those who follow a vegan diet.
[...]
Selenium intake may be too low if the diet is based mainly on organic products grown in selenium-poor soils. In a vegan diet, selenium intake may be insufficient if it mainly consists of organic products that have not been cultivated with a seleniumcontaining fertiliser. [In Finland, selenium is added to fertiliser in conventional agriculture.]
[...]
Vegan diet
[...] The use of dietary supplements is often unnecessary, but when used in accordance with the recommendations, they have a significant impact on the adequate intake of vitamin D in children and adolescents, and of vitamin B12 and iodine in those who follow a vegan diet. The adequate intake of nutrients can also be ensured through the fortification of food products [...].
[...]
Avoiding products of animal origin may lead to an insufficient intake of vitamin B12 unless supplemented with a dietary supplement or foods fortified with vitamin B12. A special risk group are those who follow a vegan diet.
[...]
Selenium intake may be too low if the diet is based mainly on organic products grown in selenium-poor soils. In a vegan diet, selenium intake may be insufficient if it mainly consists of organic products that have not been cultivated with a seleniumcontaining fertiliser. [In Finland, selenium is added to fertiliser in conventional agriculture.]
[...]
Vegan diet
A vegan diet does not include products of animal origin. Vegan diets should contain plenty of good sources of vegetable protein (soy in various forms, beans, peas, lentils, whole grains, nuts and seeds). The amino acid composition of soy protein nearly corresponds to that of animal protein. The amino acid composition of different protein sources complement each other in the best possible way when the diet combines legumes and whole grains. In a vegan diet, special attention must be paid to nutrients that are scarce in plantbased foods. Vegan diets contain less riboflavin, vitamins A and D, calcium and iodine than mixed diets. Vegan diet does not contain vitamin B12 in a form that the body can utilize. Long-chain fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) are practically absent from vegan diet. Their adequate level in the body can be ensured by consuming vegetable oils and vegetable fat spreads containing alpha-linolenic acid (see ‘Fats’), as the body converts these long-chain fatty acids from alpha-linolenic acid. Some nutrients may be absorbed less readily from plant-based foods than from food of animal origin. In particular, the phytate in grains and legumes can interfere with the absorption of iron and zinc. Whole grains are an important source of energy, protein, minerals, vitamins and fibre in vegan diet, and fibre also increases the feeling of satiety when eating. Daily use canola oil and spreads made of these oils and containing at least 60% fat is recommended to ensure adequate linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. Nuts and seeds also provide essential linoleic acid, whereas walnuts also provide alpha-linolenic acid. By compiling a varied vegan diet and using fortified foods and dietary supplements, it can be ensured that the diet’s nutrient content meets the average nutritional requirements. In particular, the intake of vitamin B12, vitamins A and D, calcium and iodine should be ensured by using fortified foods and dietary supplements (see ‘Fortification of food products and dietary supplements’). Fortified plant-based drinks are an important source of vitamin D, riboflavin and calcium. Plant-based drinks may also be fortified with iodine. The main sources of vitamin A include vegetables rich in beta-carotene such as carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, broccoli and spinach, as well as fat spreads fortified with vitamin A. So far, no long-term follow-up studies on the effects of a vegan diet on children’s nutritional status, growth and health are available. Vegan diet high in acidic products may be associated with tooth wear and enamel dissolution [THEY MEAN EROSION].
[...]
Table 5. Recommended use of dietary supplements
[...] Vitamin D [...] People on a vegan diet
[...] Calcium [...] People on a vegan diet* [* If the diet does not include foods fortified with calcium.] [...]
[...] Iodine [...] People on a vegan diet* [If the diet does not include foods fortified with calcium.] [THIS MUST BE A TYPO - THEY SURELY MEAN IODINE-FORTIFIED] [...]
[...] Vitamin B12 [...] People on a vegan diet [...]
[...]
Table 5. Recommended use of dietary supplements
[...] Vitamin D [...] People on a vegan diet
[...] Calcium [...] People on a vegan diet* [* If the diet does not include foods fortified with calcium.] [...]
[...] Iodine [...] People on a vegan diet* [If the diet does not include foods fortified with calcium.] [THIS MUST BE A TYPO - THEY SURELY MEAN IODINE-FORTIFIED] [...]
[...] Vitamin B12 [...] People on a vegan diet [...]
[...]
Appendix 8 [...] Pregnant and lactating women should get at least 5 E% of essential fatty acids, of which
1 E% should be n-3 fatty acids. The intake of docosahexaenoic acid, DHA (22:6 n-3), should
be 200 milligrams per day. In vegans, an adequate intake of alpha-linolenic acid ensures an
adequate DHA status. [...]
[...]
"
