(HealthDay News) -- Vegetarians are no less susceptible than others to malnutrition. The key, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to eat a variety of foods that ensure enough calories and proper nutrition.

The agency offers these suggestions for a healthy vegetarian diet:

• Choose plant-based protein sources such as soy, nuts, peas and beans.
• Get plenty of calcium through leafy, dark-green vegetables, calcium-fortified foods and dairy products.
• Make peas and beans important staples of your diet, and make nuts a regular snack food.
• Get plenty of vitamin B12 -- found naturally only in animal products -- by choosing fortified foods, such as cereals or soy products.