"Long-term health benefits can be achieved by vegetarian including a lower risk of
cardiovascular disease, some fomms of cancer, and hypertension. Some vegetarians
worry, that they're not getting enough nutrients when they are pregnant. In fact,
there is nothing to be worried about. Pregnant vegetarian could meet good
nutritional status by knowing key nutrients they should eat. Key nutrients for
vegetarian pregnancy include protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12,
iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids. A vegetarian or vegan diet can meet requirements
for all of these nutrients although in some instances, fortified foods or supplements
can be especially useful in meeting recommendations. The nutrient content of
supplements targeted to pregnant vegetarians should be evaluated to make sure
nutrient needs are being met. Other important aspect concerning vegetarian diet is
gestational weight gain. Optimal birth weight and outcome are influenced by maternal
weight gain. Low gestational weight gain is associated with poor fetal growth and
risk of pretemi delivery while excessive weight gain affects infant growth, body
fatness in childhood, and the potential for postpartum weight retention and future
obesity. Vegetarian women should also be counseled to follow standard weight gain
recommendations. Ideally, weight gain recommendations should be individualized to
promote the best outcomes while reducing risk for excessive postpartum weight
retention and reducing the risk of later chronic disease for the child and adult. Some
studies (Rosso, 1985; Umniyati, 2009) stated an optimal weight gain for pregnancy
outcome is 20% of ideal matemal weight. In order to calculate a recommendation of
optimal weight gain to be achieved by pregnant mothers, pre-pregnancy weight
should be known. By understanding these aspects, optimal weight gain and
important nutrients needs, vegetarian pregnant mother can get optimal pregnancy
outcomes."
