Vegetarian and Vegan Diets Prior to and Throughout Pregnancy: A Practical Update

This product is free for VN and WH members.

This webinar was presented live on March 14, 2022.

Vegetarian, vegan, and near vegetarian diets are becoming increasing popular in the United States and, are recognized as potentially healthy eating patterns. This webinar will explore the nutritional needs of vegetarians and vegans during the pre-conception period and during pregnancy. The latest research on nutrients including vitamin B12, choline, and omega-3 fatty acids will be surveyed. Sources of and recommendations for key nutrients will be identified. We'll examine research on outcomes of vegetarian and vegan pregnancy.

First of two webinars jointly presented by the Vegetarian Nutrition and Women's Health DPGs

CPEU: 1.0
CPE Level: 2
Performance Indicators:

• 6.2.5 Applies research/evidence-based findings to improve practice, service delivery, and health of nutrition of customers
• 6.3.7 Interprets data to make recommendations and to form realistic and valid conclusions.
• 8.1.1 Interprets and applies evidence-based comparative standards for determining nutritional needs.
• 8.1.4 Demonstrates knowledge of nutrient requirements throughout the life span and their role in health promotion and disease management

Learning Objectives

1. Describe important nutritional considerations for vegetarians (including vegans) prior to pregnancy.
2. Provide examples of acceptable sources (dietary and/or supplement) of key nutrients for vegetarians, including vegans, during pregnancy.
3. Explain recent research findings related to omega-3 fatty acids, choline, and vitamin B12 in vegetarian/vegan pregnancy.
4. Identify potential health benefits and concerns related to plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan diets in pregnancy.

Speaker

Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Reed Mangels, PhD, RD is a Nutrition Advisor for the non-profit, educational Vegetarian Resource Group as well as nutrition editor and a regular columnist and Nutrition Editor for the quarterly publication, Vegan Journal (formerly Vegetarian Journal). She is a co-author of the recently released fourth edition of The Dietitian's Guide to Vegetarian Diets and of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' 2009 and 2003 position papers on vegetarian diets. She is a past Chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She has written numerous articles and book chapters for professionals and the public on vegetarian nutrition in the life-cycle. Reed has authored several books for the public including Your Complete Vegan Pregnancy and Simply Vegan. She was an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts Amherst until her retirement.