ABSTRACT
I. Introduction ...................................................................................... 196 II. Dietary Pattern and Pregnancy Outcome ...................................... 196 III. Energy Intake ................................................................................... 198 IV. Nutrient Issues.................................................................................. 199
A. Protein ........................................................................................ 199 B. Essential Fatty Acids.................................................................. 200
1. Fatty Acids in Vegetarian Diets ......................................... 200 2. Essential Fatty Acids in Pregnant Vegetarians and
Their Infants........................................................................ 201 3. Breast-Fed Infants and Essential Fatty Acids
in Human Milk ..................................................................... 201 4. Implications for Vegetarians............................................... 202
C. Iron............................................................................................. 202 1. Iron Intake in Vegetarian Females .................................... 203 2. Iron Status in Vegetarian Females..................................... 204 3. Iron Status in Pregnant Vegetarians .................................. 204 4. Recommendations for Iron Intake in Pregnancy............. 204
D. Zinc............................................................................................. 205 E. Calcium ...................................................................................... 206
1. Calcium Intake in Vegetarians ........................................... 206 2. Calcium Intake and Vitamin D Status in Lactation.......... 207 3. Calcium and Bone Status in Vegetarians.......................... 207 4. Calcium and Blood Pressure in Pregnancy...................... 208 5. Recommendations............................................................... 209
F. Vitamin D................................................................................... 209 G. Vitamin B
................................................................................. 209 1. Dietary Vitamin B
Deficiency in Infants ........................ 210 2. Sources of Vitamin B
....................................................... 211 H. Other Nutrient Issues ................................................................ 211
V. Counseling the Vegetarian Mother ................................................. 212 VI. Conclusion........................................................................................ 214
References .................................................................................................. 214
Pregnancy and lactation are recognized as times of increased nutritional vulnerability with implications for both the mother and her offspring. Few studies have undertaken comprehensive evaluations of vegetarians during these important times in the lifecycle. The growing interest in and adoption of vegetarian* diets, especially by young women, necessitate a careful assessment of their adequacy, particularly during pregnancy and lactation. In addition, the heightened awareness of the long term implications of maternal dietary practices and nutritional intake adds impetus to this concern.
