Iodine is another one that was seen as necessary to add to salt because natural sources are primarily from the ocean - several types of fish and seafood, and seaweed, the best of all. The only other good plant sources are lima beans and prunes. Dairy products and eggs are only good sources of iodine because it is added to cattle and chicken feed.
Omega-3 - again, only natural source is fatty fish, which a lot of meat eaters don't eat.
Getting enough calcium is challenging for anyone who doesn't consume dairy products, the best sources. The only other animal sources are some fatty fish. There are a lot of plant based sources - beans, lentils, leafy green vegetables, rhubarb, edamame. There are several fortified sources - soy milk, orange juice, tofu.
B12 has no natural plant sources, but a couple of servings of fortified soy products or beverages (also rice and almond beverages) will provide the daily requirement.
There are also supplements if one's diet is deficient in nutrients. In Canada, Vitamin D supplements are recommended for everyone over 50 and anyone else who don't get enough through diet. Calcium and B12 supplements are often recommended.
This:
says that they buried the lead. Well over half of U.S. children have multiple nutrient deficiencies, the author citing the overconsumption of processed, nutrient-poor products as a "major factor".And data from the US shows that more than one in four children lacks calcium, magnesium or vitamin A, and more than one in two children are deficient in vitamin D and E.
But clearly the 2.5% of the population that is vegan are the problem
The takeaway would be the importance of a varied diet, for everyone.
Do you know what vegans have in common with almost everyone else? A lot of people who change their diets for whatever reason don't research the effect on nutrient intake, and don't learn how to incorporate enough different foods to meet their nutritional requirements.
