03_BT_March 2022

Bump to Birth
9 Months
Vegan
Pregnancy:
Is it Healthy
or Harmful?
A well-balanced diet comprising essential food groups is
important during pregnancy. Proper intake of macro and
micronutrients ensure the health of both the baby and
mother. However, many mothers who are vegetarians or
vegans may be concerned that their plant-based diets would
not be suitable at this time.
According to the American Dietetic
Association, well planned vegetarian
diets are safe for all age groups and
physiological conditions, including
childhood, adolescence, pregnancy,
and lactation. However, the German
Nutrition Society does not recommend
vegetarian or vegan diets during
pregnancy, lactation, and childhood,
due to the inadequate supply of
essential nutrients.
In this article, let's look at the
benefits and risks of a vegan
pregnancy so you can make the best
choices during this time.
Vegan Diet Benefits for
Mom and Baby
Vegan diets, which contain only food
types made from plants, are known to
offer a variety of benefits. The good
news is these healthy effects can also
benefit pregnant women. For example,
vegan diets consisting of high-fibre
meals have been shown to reduce
the risk of gestational or pregnancy
diabetes. A higher fibre intake also
helps with relieving constipation – a
common complaint during pregnancy.
Some studies report a lower risk of
caesarean section (C-section) delivery,
maternal or infant mortality, and
postpartum depression in pregnant
women on a vegan diet. Further studies
reveal that preeclampsia appears to be
lower among vegans.
TAKE NOTE:
If you decide to take a
multivitamin and mineral
supplement, select one
specifically for pregnancy.
Make sure it does not contain
vitamin A, as high levels of
vitamin A during pregnancy
can harm your baby.
Source: www.nutrition.org.uk
10 BabyTalk | March 2022