Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in Pregnancy: Navigating Health for Mothers and Babies

A recent research paper reviewed studies on the effects of vegan diets during pregnancy. Vegan diets avoid all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs and honey. The goal of the paper was to see if these restricted diets are healthy for pregnant women and their babies. The results show vegan diets can be safe and even beneficial, as long as certain nutrients are supplemented.

Several studies found that vegan diets may help prevent common pregnancy complications. These include preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth. Preeclampsia is a dangerous rise in blood pressure that some women get late in pregnancy. Vegetarian and vegan women seem less likely to develop it. High fiber diets with lots of fruits and vegetables appear protective. The same eating pattern helps prevent gestational diabetes. Preterm or early birth may happen less often too. One reason is vegan women tend to have lower and healthier body weights before pregnancy.

In addition to protecting against complications, vegan diets have other benefits. Vegans typically consume little saturated fat or cholesterol. They eat lots of healthy plant foods high in fiber, vitamins, antioxidants and phytochemicals. Studies show this pattern reduces heart disease, diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure over time. So changing to a vegan diet even just during pregnancy can set up lifelong positive eating habits. It exposes women to healthy foods they may keep enjoying later on.

The key with vegan diets is getting enough critical nutrients, since animal products are eliminated. With the right supplementation, vegan women can avoid deficiencies. Extra proteins, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and omega-3s are especially important. Meeting increased calcium and zinc needs requires planning as well. As long as these considerations are made, research suggests vegan diets are a safe and smart choice while pregnant. They benefit women's health immediately and into the future.

Sebastiani G, Herranz Barbero A, Borrás-Novell C, Alsina Casanova M, Aldecoa-Bilbao V, Andreu-Fernández V, Pascual Tutusaus M, Ferrero Martínez S, Gómez Roig MD, García-Algar O. The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diet during Pregnancy on the Health of Mothers and Offspring. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 6;11(3):557. doi: 10.3390/nu11030557. PMID: 30845641; PMCID: PMC6470702.