Are vegan and vegetarian diets safe during pregnancy? I am Dr Drew Ramsey. In this episode of the Brain Food Blog, we are going to focus on this issue, look at some of the literature that is out there, and talk about what to do clinically when you have vegan and vegetarian patients who are thinking about pregnancy.
Vegan and vegetarian diets are plant-based diets. They are gaining popularity as people try to make better choices in terms of their health when it comes to food. Plants, in general, are a great choice, especially colorful plants, because they tend to be more nutrient-dense. Plant-based diets have been linked to a number of health benefits, such as lower body mass index and lower rates of obesity and diabetes, as well as conferring some benefits. Certainly, vegan and vegetarian diets have higher amounts of certain nutrients like magnesium, folate, and fiber, all of which are generally consumed in very low quantities in Western diets.
Focusing on pregnancy, there are two important papers to note. The first, which got me very interested in this issue, was a series of pooled case reports by Drs Dror and Allen in 2008.[1]They looked at 30 cases of severe vitamin B
Polymorphic Eruption of Pregnancy
COMMENTARY
Are Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Safe During Pregnancy?
Drew Ramsey, MD
DisclosuresDecember 06, 2016
Are vegan and vegetarian diets safe during pregnancy? I am Dr Drew Ramsey. In this episode of the Brain Food Blog, we are going to focus on this issue, look at some of the literature that is out there, and talk about what to do clinically when you have vegan and vegetarian patients who are thinking about pregnancy.
Vegan and vegetarian diets are plant-based diets. They are gaining popularity as people try to make better choices in terms of their health when it comes to food. Plants, in general, are a great choice, especially colorful plants, because they tend to be more nutrient-dense. Plant-based diets have been linked to a number of health benefits, such as lower body mass index and lower rates of obesity and diabetes, as well as conferring some benefits. Certainly, vegan and vegetarian diets have higher amounts of certain nutrients like magnesium, folate, and fiber, all of which are generally consumed in very low quantities in Western diets.
Focusing on pregnancy, there are two important papers to note. The first, which got me very interested in this issue, was a series of pooled case reports by Drs Dror and Allen in 2008.[1]They looked at 30 cases of severe vitamin B
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Cite this: Are Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Safe During Pregnancy? - Medscape - Dec 06, 2016.
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Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author
Drew Ramsey, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York
Disclosure: Drew Ramsey, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: InterContinental Hotels Group; National Kale Day 501(c)3
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Sharecare