{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T10:28:05Z","timestamp":1785407285312,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"Cambridge University Press (CUP)","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,14]],"date-time":"2025-10-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1760400000000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":286,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["J Nutr Sci"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>There is increased interest in self-selected exclusionary diet patterns, specifically vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free (GF) diets, but there is a lack of research exploring the beliefs and behaviours surrounding these diets in Canadians capable of bearing children (CCBC). The goal of this study was to explore the beliefs and behaviours of CCBC who follow vegetarian, vegan, and\/or GF diets using mixed methods. A self-administered online Qualtrics\u2122 survey containing 102 questions was conducted using open text and closed format questions. Continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation while percentages were used to summarize categorical variables. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. A total of 271 CCBC between 18\u201345 years of age were analysed, with 27%, 22%, and 3.7% indicating they followed a vegan, vegetarian, and\/or GF diet, respectively. Three main themes emerged that influenced CCBC beliefs about their chosen diet. The belief that these diets are healthy or could impart health in some way, was the main reason for following their chosen diet, especially in those who identified as vegetarian. Ethical\/moral concerns, primarily around animal welfare and the environment, was the second theme for following their chosen dietary pattern, especially amongst those who identified as vegan. Perception of social judgement in the forms of criticism, guilt, and isolation were noted by some CCBC, with family, friends, and colleagues interacting differently with them because of their dietary choices. These findings serve to enhance our understanding of the beliefs and behaviours of CCBC who choose to follow exclusionary diets.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1017\/jns.2025.10044","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,14]],"date-time":"2025-10-14T04:42:11Z","timestamp":1760416931000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Beliefs and behaviours associated with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets among Canadians capable of bearing children"],"prefix":"10.1017","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4403-7932","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Olivia","family":"Morello","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Brescia University College"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Erica","family":"Pellizzari","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brescia University College"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Madeline","family":"Erlich","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Toronto"},{"name":"St. Michael\u2019s Hospital"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-8401-1340","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Brenda","family":"Hartman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/02grkyz14","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Western University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"56","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,14]]},"reference":[{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2013.03.015","article-title":"Vegan lifestyle behaviors. An exploration of congruence with health-related beliefs and assessed health indices","volume":"67","author":"Dyett","year":"2013","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2019.104417"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref10","author":"Nutrition","year":"2012"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref3","unstructured":"3. Wunsch, N-G. Share of consumers who are vegetarian, pescetarian, or vegan in Canada in 2022, by age group.ed.: Statista. https:\/\/www.statista.com\/forecasts\/954924\/number-of-vegetarians-and-vegans-canada (accessed March 2024); 2023."},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1007\/s00394-022-02942-8","article-title":"Vegetarian and vegan diets and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies","volume":"62","author":"Dybvik","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur J Nutr"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S0029665121003748"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106081","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2022.106081","article-title":"How vegans and vegetarians negotiate eating-related social norm conflicts in their social networks","volume":"175","author":"Salmivaara","year":"2022","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref20","unstructured":"20. Petti, A , Palmieri, B , Vadal\u00e0, M et al. Vegetarianism and veganism: not only benefits but also gaps. A review. Prog Nutr. 2017;19:229\u2013242."},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.metop.2024.100338"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104958","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2020.104958","article-title":"Determinants of gluten-free diet adoption among individuals without celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity","volume":"156","author":"Arslain","year":"2021","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2013.10.002","article-title":"A comparison of attitudes toward meat and animals among strict and semi-vegetarians","volume":"72","author":"Rothgerber","year":"2014","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa","article-title":"Using thematic analysis in psychology","volume":"3","author":"Braun","year":"2006","journal-title":"Qual Res Psychol"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15194103"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2023.e16091"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/obr.13462"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107232","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2024.107232","article-title":"Similarities and differences between vegetarians and vegans in motives for meat-free and plant-based diets","volume":"195","author":"Dhont","year":"2024","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2013.09.004"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jand.2025.02.002"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/eurheartj\/ehad211"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1323","DOI":"10.3109\/14767051003678234","article-title":"Micronutrients and women of reproductive potential: required dietary intake and consequences of dietary deficiency or excess. Part I--Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6","volume":"23","author":"Simpson","year":"2010","journal-title":"J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100294","DOI":"10.1016\/j.advnut.2024.100294","article-title":"Vegetarian and vegan dietary patterns to treat adult type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"15","author":"Guest","year":"2024","journal-title":"Adv Nutr"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111249","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nut.2021.111249","article-title":"Predictors of adherence to a gluten-free diet in celiac disease: Do knowledge, attitudes, experiences, symptoms, and quality of life play a role?","volume":"90","author":"Dimidi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Nutrition"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15522","DOI":"10.3390\/su152115522","article-title":"Perceptions of the benefits and barriers to vegetarian diets and the environmental impact of meat-eating","volume":"15","author":"Rattenbury","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0279128"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3329","DOI":"10.3390\/nu16193329","article-title":"The association of a vegan diet during pregnancy with maternal and child outcomes: a systematic review","volume":"16","author":"Meulenbroeks","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1368430215618253"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1109","DOI":"10.1007\/s00394-023-03086-z","article-title":"Plant-based and vegetarian diets: an overview and definition of these dietary patterns","volume":"62","author":"Hargreaves","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur J Nutr"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S1368980023000873"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.9778\/cmajo.20200082"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref2","unstructured":"2. Charlebois, S. Plant-based dieting and meat attachment: Protein wars and the changing Canadian consumer (Preliminary Results) [S Somogyi, editor]: Dalhousie University. https:\/\/cdn.dal.ca\/content\/dam\/dalhousie\/pdf\/management\/News\/News%20%26%20Events\/Charlebois%20Somogyi%20Music%20EN%20Plant-Based%20Study.pdf (accessed April 2024); 2018."},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref27","first-page":"60","article-title":"Update of the DGE position on vegan diet-Position statement of the German Nutrition Society (DGE)","volume":"71","author":"Klug","year":"2024","journal-title":"Ernahrungs Umschau"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jhn.12316"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref32","first-page":"296","article-title":"The factors associated with the belief that vegetarian diets provide health benefits","volume":"12","author":"Lea","year":"2003","journal-title":"Asia Pac J Clin Nutr"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"204","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jand.2024.08.001","article-title":"Vegetarian diets during pregnancy: with supplementation, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian adaptations of US department of agriculture food patterns can be nutritionally adequate","volume":"125","author":"Hess","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Acad Nutr Diet"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nut.2020.110759"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref5","unstructured":"5. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2025-01-15) Food composition and quality claims Ottawa: Government of Canada. https:\/\/inspection.canada.ca\/en\/food-labels\/labelling\/industry\/composition-and-quality (accessed May 2025)."},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"28. (2023) Canadian Nutrition Society 2023 Scientific Abstracts: Canadian Nutrition Society Annual Conference. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 48, S1\u2013S83.","DOI":"10.1139\/apnm-2023-0091"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"299","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2017.03.052","article-title":"Vegetarianism and meat consumption: a comparison of attitudes and beliefs between vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, and omnivorous subjects in Belgium","volume":"114","author":"Mullee","year":"2017","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jneb.2023.06.003"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ani11071893"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2013.02.009","article-title":"Differences between health and ethical vegetarians. Strength of conviction, nutrition knowledge, dietary restriction, and duration of adherence","volume":"65","author":"Hoffman","year":"2013","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"643","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2016.06.039","article-title":"Motives of consumers following a vegan diet and their attitudes towards animal agriculture","volume":"105","author":"Janssen","year":"2016","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"40","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2016.11.018","article-title":"Understanding the attitudes and perceptions of vegetarian and plant-based diets to shape future health promotion programs","volume":"109","author":"Corrin","year":"2017","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-277X.2012.01288.x"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"46","DOI":"10.1037\/fsh0000099","article-title":"Celiac is a social disease: family challenges and strategies","volume":"33","author":"Bacigalupe","year":"2015","journal-title":"Fam Syst Health"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref8","first-page":"228","article-title":"The case of the ethical vegan: motivations matter when researching dietary and lifestyle choices","volume":"31","author":"Braunsberger","year":"2019","journal-title":"JMI"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.56182\/ccd2xa40"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101384","DOI":"10.1016\/j.leaqua.2020.101384","article-title":"Careless responding in questionnaire measures: Detection, impact and remedies","volume":"31","author":"Goldammer","year":"2020","journal-title":"Leadersh Q"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2023.44457"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10620-018-4936-4"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/jns.2025.14"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref29","unstructured":"29. Statistics Canada (2024-09-25) Population estimates on July 1 by age and gender Ottawa Statistics Canada https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/t1\/tbl1\/en\/tv.action?pid=1710000501 (accessed March 2024)."},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1038","DOI":"10.1080\/21642850.2022.2134870","article-title":"Dietary identity and embitterment among vegans, vegetarians and omnivores","volume":"10","author":"Reuber","year":"2022","journal-title":"Health Psychol Behav Med"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1970","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jand.2016.09.025","article-title":"Position of the academy of nutrition and dietetics: vegetarian diets","volume":"116","author":"Melina","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Acad Nutr Diet"},{"key":"S204867902510044X_ref12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.1177\/1753495X211060191","article-title":"Recognizing and renaming in obstetrics: how do we take better care with language?","volume":"14","author":"MacKinnon","year":"2021","journal-title":"Obstet Med"}],"container-title":["Journal of Nutritional Science"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/services\/aop-cambridge-core\/content\/view\/S204867902510044X","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,14]],"date-time":"2025-10-14T04:42:17Z","timestamp":1760416937000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/product\/identifier\/S204867902510044X\/type\/journal_article"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025]]},"references-count":55,"alternative-id":["S204867902510044X"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/jns.2025.10044","relation":{},"ISSN":["2048-6790"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2048-6790","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025]]},"article-number":"e73"}}