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Is a Vegetarian Diet Sufficient When Preparing for Pregnancy?
Jul
18
2010
I am a complete vegetarian. I am not sure if that would create some problem in my pregnancy. Do I have to take some special care for diet or is my vegetarian diet sufficient to provide me all types of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
I am not a strict vegan and I do take dairy products. I am sure that increases huge options for all types of nutrients. Any help in this regard is appreciable.
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Answer #1
More and more people are turning to vegetarian or vegan diets. Some vegetarians eat dairy products and others eat dairy products but avoid eggs. Vegans avoid all animal products including meat, fish, dairy products, eggs and honey. Because a few micro-nutrients occur naturally only in animal products, planning a balanced vegetarian or vegan diet requires a little extra effort. There are not usually any problems with a well-balanced vegetarian diet before and during pregnancy. However, such a diet will provide sufficient protein, vitamins and minerals to meet the needs of most women, although sometimes iron supplements are required to help prevent anaemia caused by the extra demands of the unborn baby on the mother’s stores of iron.
Some very strict vegan diets contain no food at all that is derived from animal sources, including dairy products. Women following such a diet may need extra vitamin supplements and should discuss this with their family doctor. If you are vegan, you may be prescribed supplements of calcium and vitamins D and B12.