Pregnancy and Veganism
Most of the studies show that there are no adverse effects when the mother chooses to be vegan while carrying a baby. The nutrients needed by the body can be substituted by a plant-based alternative. If the food still lacks the nutritional requirement for pregnancy, there are supplements that can be taken to help meet what is needed by the body.
What needs to be considered, however, is that the same studies show that babies born from vegan mothers also have lower birth weights compared to non-vegan or vegetarian mothers. Also, there is a risk of nutrient deficiencies, especially for those which commonly come from animals. Careful food planning should be done to avoid missing out on the required nutrients to keep your baby healthy.
Nutrients to Watch Out for Vegan Mothers
It is possible for vegan mothers to be lacking in nutrients that are essential for the baby’s growth. Here are some of the nutrients that are essential during pregnancy which can be a challenge for vegan mothers.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is only present in animal-based foods so supplements may be needed to avoid nutrient deficiencies. There is also B12 enriched nutritional yeast, which can be added to other foods.
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