Since 2011, the "German Society for Nutrition" has begun to warn the public about the risks of vegan nutrition for pregnant women and children.
Since 2003, the "American Dietetic Association" and the "Dietitian of Canada" have stated that the vegan diet, if properly structured, is suitable for all stages of the life cycle, including: pregnancy, breastfeeding, early childhood, second childhood and adolescence (" appropriate for the stages of life cycle, including during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence "). The "American Dietetic Association" then added that, in the case of a vegan diet, it is essential to implement nutrition with a regular source of vitamin B12 ESPECIALLY for: pregnant, nursing mothers and infants.
According to the "Reed Mangels" instead, maternal vitamin B12 supplements would not seem able to cross the placental barrier; in this regard, the researchers found a correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency in mothers with a vegetarian diet and incidence of abnormalities and neurological disorders in children.
Sometimes, pregnant vegan women may also need vitamin D supplementation, depending on the degree of exposure to sunlight and whether or not fortified foods are present in the diet. It should also be specified that doctors often recommend iron and folic acid supplements for ALL pregnant women, not only vegan and vegetarian, but also omnivore. In the event of pregnancy it is therefore always a good idea to consult a doctor or a food specialist to verify the suitability or otherwise of taking supplements or drugs.
