Energy and Macronutrient Dietary Intakes of Vegetarian and Semi-Vegetarian Serbian Adults: Data from the EFSA EU Menu Food Consumption Survey (2017-2022)

Abstract

This study is the first to examine the diet and nutritional status of the adult vegetarian and semi-vegetarian population in Serbia, using data from the EFSA EU Menu Food Consumption Survey 2017-2022. The survey included 314 participants (63 vegans, 192 lacto-ovo vegetarians, 50 pescatarians, and 9 flexitarians), aged 18-74 years (166 women and 148 men, with no gender differences in dietary patterns) across all regions of Serbia. Collected data included anthropometrics (BMI) and intake of energy, macronutrients, and specific food groups (assessed through two 24 h dietary recalls). The study revealed multiple nutritional shortcomings across all three dietary patterns. The most significant was an insufficient protein intake (especially among vegans, but also among non-vegans), connected with an unsatisfactory protein quantity, quality, and availability in plant sources. There was also a high fat intake (particularly from omega-6 and trans-fats-rich sources), especially among non-vegans (but also among vegans), while the intake of omega-3 sources was low. Non-vegans consumed less carbohydrates, fiber, vegetables, and fruit, but more sweets, beverages, and alcohol. Our findings highlight the need for improved nutritional education of vegetarians/semi-vegetarians in Serbia and the development of national food system-based guidelines for this population.

Keywords: diet; energy; flexitarian; macronutrients; pescatarian; protein; semi-vegetarian; vegan; vegetarian.

Figure 1

Total daily energy intake from different food groups across gender categories in a sample of vegetarians/semi-vegetarians 18–74 years old (n = 314) living in Serbia (** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001).

Figure 2

Protein-related energy intake from different food groups across gender categories in a sample of vegetarians/semi-vegetarians 18–74 years old (n = 314) living in Serbia (* p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001).

Figure 3

Fat-related energy intake from different food groups across gender categories in a sample of vegetarians/semi-vegetarians 18–74 years old (n = 314) living in Serbia (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01).

Figure 4

Carbohydrate-related energy intake from different food groups across gender categories in a sample of vegetarians/semi-vegetarians 18–74 years old (n = 314) living in Serbia (* p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001).

Figure 5

Total daily energy intake from different food groups across different vegetarian/semi-vegetarian dietary patterns in a sample of 18–64-year-old vegetarians (n = 314) living in Serbia. (Legend: *** p < 0.001, ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.001—statistically significantly different from vegans; # p < 0.001—statistically different from semi-vegetarians).

Figure 6

Protein-related daily energy intake from different food groups across different vegetarian/semi-vegetarian dietary patterns in a sample of 18–64-year-old vegetarians/semi-vegetarians (n = 314) living in Serbia. (Legend: *** p < 0.001, ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.001—statistically significantly different from vegans; # p < 0.001—statistically different from semi-vegetarians).

Figure 7

Fat-related daily energy intake from different food groups across different vegetarian/semi-vegetarian dietary patterns in a sample of 18–64-year-old vegetarians/semi-vegetarians (n = 314) living in Serbia. (Legend: *** p < 0.001, ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.001—statistically significantly different from vegans; # p < 0.001—statistically different from semi-vegetarians).

Figure 8

Carbohydrate-related daily energy intake from different food groups across different vegetarian/semi-vegetarian dietary patterns in a sample of 18–64-year-old vegetarians/semi-vegetarians (n = 314) living in Serbia. (Legend: *** p < 0.001, ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.001—statistically significantly different from vegans; # p < 0.001—statistically different from semi-vegetarians).