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  • 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.
    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.
  • 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.
    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.