Vegan pregnancy and lactation dietitian

Yes, vegans have perfectly healthy pregnancies and babies as long as they are aware of the nutrients vegan meals provide. A pregnancy nutritionist will work closely with you to build a nutritious vegan diet plan.

There is no clear evidence that vegans have healthier babies than those who consume meat. However, studies have shown that those who follow a well-balanced vegan diet during pregnancy may be safeguarded against gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and reduce the baby’s risk of certain developmental issues. With guidance of your pregnancy nutritionist, you can have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Studies have shown positive outcomes of a vegan diet while pregnant such as lowering for heart disease and diabetes and help increasing fertility.

Yes, soy products are OK to consume during pregnancy. Soy products such as miso soup, tofu and soymilk contain natural plant compounds called isoflavones which function as phytoestrogens and activate estrogen receptors in your body.

One common myth is that isoflavones may increase the risk of cancer especially in postmenopausal women, but studies have shown that the risk of breast, thyroid or uterine cancer does not increase in this population.

No, vegan moms do not necessarily have smaller babies. If you are eating a balanced, nutritious vegan diet, and taking your prenatal supplements, there is no doubt that you can have a normal sized baby. It is important to know that any number between 5th percentile and 95th percentile on the WHO growth chart is considered “normal” as long as their growth remains steady.

Vegan moms can certainly breastfeed successfully. A pregnancy nutritionist recommends vegan moms meet all of their nutritional needs to provide adequate nutrition for their baby including enough iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and zinc.  A pregnancy dietitian can help create a plan in which you can optimize your diet during breastfeeding.

A deficiency of either Vitamin B12 and iron is common in Veganism and could negatively impact chances of conceiving. However, the help of a prenatal nutritionist can help you optimize these nutrients in your vegan diet.

You can have a healthy vegan pregnancy by simply following a balanced plant-based diet. A pregnancy nutritionist can guide you to receiving the essential nutrients needed.

It is not unusual for vegans to experience meat craving during pregnancy as this can happen if your diet is low on iron or vitamin B12, or if you are not absorbing iron well enough. It is important to get your iron and vitamin B12 levels checked with your doctor to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy. Furthermore, a pregnancy nutritionist can suggest many vegan alternatives to help with your cravings.

To go vegan during pregnancy is a personal choice that many mothers make for a variety of reasons. Some women say that a plant-based diet helped them manage their health issues and feel more “high-energy”.  A healthy vegan diet may help protect against developing preeclampsia, reduced risk of gestational diabetes, and some neural tube defects and brain tumors.

A systematic review has shown that all vegan, vegetarian and non-vegan mothers produce breast milk of comparable nutritional value when they followed a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you decide to practice veganism during your pregnancy, a prenatal nutritionist can build a meal plan suitable to you.

Vegan moms will still produce healthy breast milk as long as they are not lacking any nutrients themselves! Supplementation of vitamin b12, iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin D is important for a vegan breastfeeding mother.

Yes, almonds are high in linoleic acid, also known as the most lactogenic nut. Additionally, almonds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential in helping the body’s breastfeeding hormones regulate.

A dietitian for pregnancy recommends avoiding alcohol, fish high in mercury, caffeine, some herbal supplements and highly processed foods while breastfeeding. A pregnancy nutritionist can work you choose vegan foods that are safe to consume during this period.

A vegan diet will not cause high blood pressure as it includes dietary patterns high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and lean proteins associated with lower blood pressure. However, there could be other factors, and it is important to get those checked with your doctor if your hypertension is increasing on a vegan diet.

A wide range of foods such as oats, fenugreek, fennels, red and orange root veggies, seeds, avocados, and many other plant-based foods can help you lactate more. Incorporating these in a balanced vegan meal plan is a great way to help with lactation.

A study in 2021 has shown that total sperm count was significantly higher in the vegan group compared to the non-vegan group. However, further studies with larger groups must be conducted to further confirm these findings.

There are many nutrients to consider when trying to boost fertility on a plant-based diet. A prenatal nutritionist can recommend eating a well-balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and legumes and start a prenatal supplement that is appropriate for you.

Taking prenatal vitamins before and during pregnancy lowers your baby’s risk of complications like preterm birth and low birth weight, as well as neurological disorders. Your prenatal nutritionist can help you identify the prenatal vitamin that best works for you.