Vegan Diet And Breastfeeding
Protein intake should also be increased by 10 in vegan pregnant and breastfeeding women 3 4 and additional servings of protein rich plant foods such as legumes soy milk soy yogurt tofu and meat analogs based on wheat or soy protein nuts and seeds are essential.
Vegan diet and breastfeeding. The iron found in breast milk is sufficient for infants throughout the first 4 to 6 to six months in healthy well nourished mothers. Visit the national institutes of health office of dietary supplements external icon for more information on vitamin b12. Ideally pregnancy planning should include a review of your diet. You can breastfeed and follow a vegetarian vegan or another similar type of diet if you wish as long as you eat a variety of foods including fortified ones that together deliver adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin b12 iron and.
Another element to consider within this frame of discussion is the effects of stress on a vegan breastfeeding mother and her baby. This is something that mom needs to do for herself even if she is not breastfeeding. In particular vegan mamas should pay special attention to vitamins a d and b12 iron zinc calcium choline omega 3s and iodine. As a starting point read this to check your understanding of general healthy eating for vegans.
Since a breastfeeding child gets all of her nutrients from her mother s milk it s wise to be conscious of what you eat if you re nursing. Here are some vegan baby formulas if having trouble with vegan breastfeeding. A varied vegan diet that includes a range of protein sources such as soy products beans and grains should provide plenty of protein for breastfeeding mothers. If you d like to check out an example of a full day vegan.
If you have any questions about a healthy vegan breastfeeding diet that i haven t addressed above feel free to post them in the comments below. Vegan moms who want to breastfeed are fully encouraged to do so. Poor diets are never recommended but it s important within this context of this particular debate to note this particular fact. Eating a vegan diet while breastfeeding and pumping is an excellent way to keep your body healthy but there are certain vitamins and nutrients that you will want to.
A vegan is that individual who does not use or eat any animal products. Here are some tips and tricks for breastfeeding and pumping on a plant based diet. A totally plant based diet can meet everyone s nutritional needs including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore the american dietetic association recommends vitamin b12 supplementation during pregnancy and while breastfeeding for mothers who eat vegan or lacto ovo vegetarian diets.
Breastfeeding is a sure way of transferring nutrients from the mother s milk to the child. In this regard it sounds reasonable that you maintain a proper diet as a vegan mom. There are many benefits to vegan and vegetarian diets.