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8 Ultra-Processed Foods That Are Actually Good for You, Nutritionist Says
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The overwhelming breadth of scientific evidence shows that eating salmon should be minimized due to XYZ. If salmon must be consumed, look for this label and keep it under XYZ ounces per week.
A new study by researchers in Denmark has indicated that being vegan during pregnancy may raise the risk of preeclampsia, a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from 20 weeks) or soon after their baby is delivered.
The research involved 66,738 pregnancies, where self-reported dietary patterns split the mothers; this included 65 872 omnivores, 666 fish/poultry vegetarians, 183 lacto/ovo vegetarians, and 18 vegans. The participants completed a food frequency questionnaire 25 weeks into their pregnancy to assess their dietary and supplement intake.
The study found that protein intake was lower among lacto/ovo-vegetarians (13.3%) and vegans (10.4%) than among omnivorous participants (15.4%). When considering dietary and supplement intake, no significant differences in micronutrient intake were observed between the groups.
Compared with omnivorous mothers, vegans had a higher rate of preeclampsia, and their offspring had, on average, 240g lower birth weight. Preeclampsia is a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and after labour. Additionally, pregnancies were 5.2 days longer among vegan women.
The study is observational despite these findings, meaning it can’t draw a cause-and-effect relationship. Additionally, several limitations in this study, such as the very small number of vegans compared to omnivores, prevent any definite conclusions. Besides, the recruitment period was over 20 years ago, from 1996-2002, when knowledge of and support for vegan pregnancies was in its infancy.
Publications such as the Daily Mail and Diabetes.co.uk reported on this study, with some suggesting a clear link between vegan diets and preeclampsia. The Daily Mail also issued a ‘warning’ to vegan mothers, which could create fears around plant-based diets.
However, experts who reacted to the study cautioned against making definite conclusions.This analysis seeks to discuss the study’s findings in light of the current evidence on dietary requirements during pregnancy and includes reactions from experts in the field.
“I don't believe the lower intake of protein is responsible for the lower birth weight. Babies in the vegan group were as long as the others; they were thinner, but 90% of them were within the normal range, which is what matters. Omnivorous mothers had a high frequency of being overweight, 27% versus 18% in vegans, and this alone could explain much of the difference in birth weight.”
Although no definitive claims can be made from its findings, this study points to the need for further research.The critical takeaway is that pregnant women should pay close attention to their diet to ensure they get all the necessary nutrients. This is also true for women who wish to pursue a plant-based diet during pregnancy.
“It can be more challenging to follow a vegan diet to ensure that it is nutritionally complete, as there can be risks of lower intakes of iron, iodine and vitamins B12 and D, which can affect the health of both the mother, along with the development of the baby,” says Dr Duane Mellor.
“When planning a pregnancy and during pregnancy, whatever your dietary patterns and preferences, it is key to eat a varied and balanced diet, including supplements as advised by government and health guidelines. If a diet is balanced and includes the necessary nutrients including protein, vitamins and minerals, the type of diet is not as important.”
A 2019 review supports this by concluding, “Vegetarians and vegans are at risk of nutritional deficiencies, but if the adequate intake of nutrients is upheld, pregnancy outcomes are similar to those reported in the omnivorous population. So updated evidence highlights that well-balanced vegetarian and vegan diets should be considered safe for the mother’s health and offspring during pregnancy and lactation.”
“The vegetarian-type pattern should be considered safe, and it is not associated with preterm birth, birth weight, or small for gestational age if the requirements are met.”
Headlines generally aim to grab the readers’ attention while only capturing the gist of an article. When reporting on this study, the tone adopted by certain headlines seems alarming; for example, the Daily Mail summed up the study as follows: "Pregnant women urged not to go vegan over risk of deadly complications." However, this does not align with the recommendations from experts.
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Bunge, A.C. et al. (2024). Sustainability benefits of transitioning from current diets to plant-based alternatives or whole-food diets in Sweden.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45328-6
Chen, J.C. et al. (2024). Stable isotope chemistry reveals plant-dominant diet among early foragers on the Andean Altiplano, 9.0–6.5 cal. ka.
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Farvid, M.S. et al. (2021). Consumption of red meat and processed meat and cancer incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10654-021-00741-9
Ritchie, H. (2021). Drivers of Deforestation.
https://ourworldindata.org/drivers-of-deforestation
Shang, X. et al. (2017). Dietary protein from different food sources, incident metabolic syndrome and changes in its components: An 11-year longitudinal study in healthy community-dwelling adults.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026156141631264X
The Guardian (2024). Hunter-gatherers were mostly gatherers, says archaeologist.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/jan/24/hunter-gatherers-were-mostly-gatherers-says-archaeologist
Tufts Now (2024). Diets Rich in Plant Protein May Help Women Stay Healthy as They Age.
https://now.tufts.edu/2024/01/17/diets-rich-plant-protein-may-help-women-stay-healthy-they-age
University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division (2023). Vegan diet has just 30% of the environmental impact of a high-meat diet, major study finds.
https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/news/vegan-diet-has-just-30-of-the-environmental-impact-of-a-high-meat-diet-major-study-finds
University of Oxford (2021). Red and processed meat linked to increased risk of heart disease, Oxford study shows.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-07-21-red-and-processed-meat-linked-increased-risk-heart-disease-oxford-study-shows
WWF. Soy.
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Zhong, V.W. et al. (2020). Associations of Processed Meat, Unprocessed Red Meat, Poultry, or Fish Intake With Incident Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2759737
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