Is it safe to stay vegetarian once I get pregnant?

Following a vegetarian diet during pregnancy can put both mum and baby at risk of nutritional deficiencies, but this risk can be avoided with careful planning. — AFP

More and more people are adopting a vegetarian diet for a variety of reasons, whether cultural or religious, or as a personal preference.

However, the situation changes in pregnancy, as the woman is not only eating for herself, but also her unborn child.

In recent years, it has become abundantly clear that a mother’s diet during pregnancy not only plays an important role for the health of the unborn child, but may also predispose the child to developing health issues later in life.

So, is practising a vegetarian or vegan diet safe and sustainable during pregnancy?

The short answer is: YES.

A varied and well-planned plant-based diet can certainly provide enough nutrients for both mum and baby.

Therefore, it is important to be aware of your nutritional intake and to be sure to include adequate key nutrients into your diet (see infographic below).

A healthcare professional can help you plan your diet while preparing for, and during, pregnancy.

As some crucial nutrients are not readily available from plant sources, it may be necessary to supplement your vegetarian diet with fortified foods or food supplements to make sure that you get enough of these nutrients, as well as energy, for yourself and your baby.

It is advised that you inform your doctor about your diet, especially if you are planning to take any supplements.

Consider this

Here are some tips to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy while maintaining your vegetarian diet:

• To ensure sufficient nutrient intake, plan your meals in advance so that it is easier to incorporate a variety of plant-based foods.

  You can plan your meals for a weekly, biweekly or monthly period.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

  Aim for the widest variety of types and colours.

• Eat a wide range of plant proteins to ensure that you get all the essential amino acids.

  If possible, include dairy or eggs in your diet.

• Eating fortified foods like cereals, plant-based milks or non-dairy alternatives, is a good way to ensure adequate intake of essential amino acids and vitamins.
• Include nuts, seeds, pulses and legumes into your diet.
• Don’t forget your folic acid (which is crucial to prevent neural tube defects in your unborn child), and consider vitamin D and calcium supplements.

Adopting a vegetarian diet may put a woman at higher risk of nutritional deficiencies and pose a danger to mum and baby.

If we ensure that mum’s nutritional needs are met and intake is adequate, these risks can be avoided.

Dr Hoo Mei Lin is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.