Vegetarian Nutrition

VN: Macronutrients in Pregnancy (2007)

• Assessment
  Are birth outcomes different for mothers who maintain a vegetarian versus an omnivorous diet during pregnancy?

  • Conclusion

    Limited research on non-US populations indicates that there are no significant health differences in babies born to non-vegan vegetarian mothers versus non-vegetarians.

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: Vegetarian Nutrition and Birth Outcomes
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Drake R, Reddy S, Davies J. Nutrient intake during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome of lacto-ovo-vegetarians, fish-eaters and non-vegetarians. Veg Nutr. 1998; 2: 45-52.
      • Drake R, Reddy S, Davies J. Nutrient intake during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome of lacto-ovo-vegetarians, fish-eaters and non-vegetarians. Veg Nutr. 1998; 2: 45-52.
      • Ganpule A, Yajnik CS, Fall CH, Rao S, Fisher DJ, Kanade A, Cooper C, Naik S, Joshi N, Lubree H, Deshpande V, Joglekar C. Bone mass in Indian children--relationships to maternal nutritional status and diet during pregnancy: the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Aug; 91 (8): 2,994-3,001. Epub, 2006, May 30.
      • Ganpule A, Yajnik CS, Fall CH, Rao S, Fisher DJ, Kanade A, Cooper C, Naik S, Joshi N, Lubree H, Deshpande V, Joglekar C. Bone mass in Indian children--relationships to maternal nutritional status and diet during pregnancy: the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Aug; 91 (8): 2,994-3,001. Epub, 2006, May 30.
      • North K, Golding J. A maternal vegetarian diet in pregnancy is associated with hypospadias. The ALSPAC Study Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. BJU Int. 2000 Jan;85(1):107-13.
      • North K, Golding J. A maternal vegetarian diet in pregnancy is associated with hypospadias. The ALSPAC Study Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. BJU Int. 2000 Jan;85(1):107-13.
      • Reddy S, Sanders TA, Obeid O. The influence of maternal vegetarian diet on essential fatty acid status of the newborn. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:358-368
      • Reddy S, Sanders TA, Obeid O. The influence of maternal vegetarian diet on essential fatty acid status of the newborn. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:358-368
  • Search Plan and Results: VN: Vegetarian Nutrition During Pregnancy 2006
     
  Are birth outcomes different for mothers who maintain a vegan versus an omnivorous diet during pregnancy?

  • Conclusion

    No research was identified that focused on the birth outcomes of vegan versus omnivorous mothers.

  • Grade: V
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Search Plan and Results: VN: Vegetarian Nutrition During Pregnancy 2006
     
• Intervention
  How do macronutrient and energy intake in pregnant vegetarians differ from intakes in pregnant omnivores?

  • Conclusion

    Limited research on non-US populations indicates that the macronutrient intake of pregnant vegetarians is similar to that of non-vegetarians with the following exceptions (as percentages of energy intake):

    • Pregnant vegetarians receive statistically lower levels of protein than pregnant non-vegetarians
    • Pregnant vegetarians receive statistically higher levels of carbohydrates than pregnant non-vegetarians

    It is important to note, however, that none of the studies report a protein deficiency in pregnant vegetarians.

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: Vegetarian Nutrition and Macronutrients Intake in Pregnancy
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Campbell-Brown M, Ward RJ, Haines AP, North WR, Abraham R, McFadyen IR, Turnlund JR, King JC. Zinc and copper in Asian pregnancies--is there evidence for a nutritional deficiency? Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1985 Sep; 92 (9): 875-85.
      • Drake R, Reddy S, Davies J. Nutrient intake during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome of lacto-ovo-vegetarians, fish-eaters and non-vegetarians. Veg Nutr. 1998; 2: 45-52.
      • Ganpule A, Yajnik CS, Fall CH, Rao S, Fisher DJ, Kanade A, Cooper C, Naik S, Joshi N, Lubree H, Deshpande V, Joglekar C. Bone mass in Indian children--relationships to maternal nutritional status and diet during pregnancy: the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Aug; 91 (8): 2,994-3,001. Epub, 2006, May 30.
      • Reddy S, Sanders TA, Obeid O. The influence of maternal vegetarian diet on essential fatty acid status of the newborn. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:358-368
  • Search Plan and Results: VN: Vegetarian Nutrition During Pregnancy 2006
     
  How do macronutrient and energy intake in pregnant vegans differ from intakes in pregnant omnivores?

  • Conclusion

    No research was identified that focused on macronutrient intakes among pregnant vegans.

  • Grade: V
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Search Plan and Results: VN: Vegetarian Nutrition During Pregnancy 2006