Vegetarian Diets in Pregnancy

Abstract

A vegetarian diet, defined as an eating style that avoids meat, fish, and poultry, can be healthful and nutritionally adequate for a pregnant woman. Some vegetarians, called vegans, avoid dairy products and eggs as well as meat, fish, and poultry. Vegan diets can also be healthful and nutritionally adequate for pregnancy. Vegetarian diets can provide long-term health benefits including a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and hypertension. Key nutrients for vegetarian pregnancy include protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Standard weight gain recommendations should be followed. A vegetarian or vegan diet can meet requirements for all of these nutrients with fortified foods or supplements being especially useful in meeting recommendations for some nutrients. Vegetarian prenatal multivitamin-mineral supplements should be evaluated for adequacy. Dietetics professionals play important roles in counseling pregnant vegetarians and may be called upon to address issues including family concerns and pressure, becoming vegetarian during pregnancy, foods and food preparation, meal planning, and coping with nausea and other common concerns of pregnancy.