Vegetarian diet shows potential for the prudent investor

Finding something on the menu that is safe to eat is proving difficult these days. Prime US beef is tainted by mad cow disease, chicken by another outbreak of avian flu and the civet cat by Sars.

It is no surprise that more individuals are considering a switch to healthier diets. Perhaps investors, too, might want to consider some virus-proofing of their portfolio - last year's Sars outbreak showed that unpredictable outbreaks can send the best-laid plans and investment strategies out the window.

Not everyone has a strong enough constitution to buy on the dips, or hold on for the ride - the policy that worked so well during the Sars outbreak. And arbitraging chicken producers in Hong Kong or Korea from Thailand can be a risky strategy in these days of globalised epidemics.

Perhaps dropping a meat-heavy Atkins-style portfolio altogether and adding a few greens is worth contemplating.

The most radical step is the purely vegan diet, under which the aptly named China Green (Holdings) might be worth considering. The recently listed, Fujian-based company is purely focused on vegetable and fruit production, exporting predominantly for the fastidious Japanese palate. In a similar field, is Chaoda Modern Agriculture (Holdings), where comfort can be taken from the fact that it is an organic producer.

If you still need some protein in your portfolio, Hong Kong's Vitasoy International Holdings has a growing tofu business in the United States in addition to its better known tea and soya milk business. These plain beancurd assets might now have greater appeal.