Does The Vegan Diet Influence Breast Milk?
As the years go by and new ways of eating emerge, some women choose to follow a vegan diet. Well-planned vegetarian diets are generally very healthy. However, in the case of pregnancy, special attention should be given to nutrition to see if the mother is getting the nutrients the baby needs.
The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that the vegan diet must be supervised and planned by an expert. An unplanned diet can cause health problems for both mother and child.
Vegan diet and breast milk
Like other babies, those who grow up in vegan families need breast milk for their proper development.
However, in these cases, this milk must be supplemented with vitamin B12 so that the child receives the necessary nutrients. Depending on the type of food the family has, the baby will also need to consume iodine.
If the vegan mother does not want, cannot breastfeed, or if supplementation is needed, there are soy-based formulas or hydrolyzed rice to feed the baby. Another option we have found are formulas made from cow’s or goat’s milk from organic farming.
How should complementary food be?
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology emphasizes that it is not necessary to delay the introduction of peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans and other oilseeds. The child can start consuming these foods from 6 or 7 months of age.
Also, it is important to emphasize that some foods can act as substitutes. But what are these foods?
Legumes
Legumes serve as the main meat and fish substitute in the vegan or vegetarian diet. They are high in protein, iron and zinc. This makes them one of the first foods that should be introduced into the vegetarian baby’s diet. They are usually accompanied by vegetables.
Among the best legume options, we can highlight:
- The best legume to introduce this type of food is the peeled red lentils. They are low in fiber and easy to digest.
- Later, it is possible to include cooked chickpeas and peas, as well as other varieties of lentils, also without husking.
solids
If the baby is old enough to consume them, he can eat more solid foods such as chickpea hummus, cooked tofu, crushed peas, and lentil stew.
We can also give unsweetened peanut butter spread on banana or bread pieces. And occasionally, for ovolactovegetarians, a French omelet.
Cereals
As for cereals, it is recommended that they be whole. Cereal preparations are generally made from dextrins. In them, complex carbohydrate chains are partially hydrolyzed. And, in 20% or 30% of these products, they are in their simple form, like glucose.
Due to their high sugar content, they are not recommended for babies who consume meat or for vegans.
Gluten
According to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, gluten should be introduced after 6 months of age, when complementary foods are introduced. The ideal way to do this is in the form of naturally fermented wholegrain bread, which is already partially digested and is generally well tolerated.
A vegetarian or vegan diet in childhood can be perfectly adequate and provide important health benefits in the medium and long term.
What do experts say about the vegan diet?
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the vegan diet can be remarkably healthy, but only if it is well planned and supervised by experts. In fact, this type of diet is suitable for all life cycles, including pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.
However, according to studies, vegetarian women need regular and adequate sources of vitamin B12 during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is because vegan mothers generally have lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
In summary, the vegan diet is generally healthy, but it is essential that it be supervised by an expert. The baby’s good development will depend on it.
