Glorious green

As a dietitian, I applaud the students at Greensburg Salem High School who are requesting vegetarian and vegan options in the cafeteria line (" Let them eat green ," Nov. 5 and PghTrib.com). With obesity and diabetes rates soaring among our children, it's wonderful to see a group of teens taking charge of their own health.

Leading nutrition experts, including the American Dietetic Association, support a well-planned, plant-based diet for all stages of life, including childhood and adolescence.

Researchers have found that vegetarian adolescents have lower intakes of cholesterol and artery-clogging saturated fat and consume more fruits, vegetables and fiber than their meat-eating peers.

Teenagers should be encouraged to embrace this healthful diet, which can help reverse the growing trends of chronic diseases.

Dulcie WardWashington, D.C.

The writer is staff dietitian at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.