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Plant-Based Diets Aren’t Ideal for Fertility or Pregnancy

Before diving in, it’s important to understand that what I say in this post is coming from a most loving place. And the keyword is "optimal" here - it doesn't necessarily mean it can't be done.
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Dairy products, meat, eggs, organ meats…
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“Traditional cultures revered these so-called “fertility” foods for good reason; they are a rich source of the nutrients required to support a baby’s development, mom’s health during pregnancy, and her ability to heal from birth and produce nutrient-rich breast milk.” — Lily Nichols, R.D.
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Contrary to his hypothesis when he first began his research, Dr. Weston A. Price was not able to find a SINGLE indigenous population that subsisted on an entirely plant-based diet. The most fertile and robust populations actually placed the most focus on animal foods. And there was special emphasis on specific animal foods for a minimum period of time prior to conception.
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It can be very difficult to obtain the following nutrients on a plant-based diet, which are of utmost importance for fertility and building a healthy baby:
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Vitamin B12
Choline
Glycine (universally lacking in plant-based diets)
Retinol (real Vitamin A)
Vitamin K2
Iron
Zinc
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Other things to consider while on a plant-based diet:
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〰️Lack of complete proteins
〰️Antinutrients, including phytates, tannins, lectins and trypsin inhibitors
〰️Increased soy intake (VERY undesirable during pregnancy for many reasons)
〰️Increased vegetable oil (PUFA) intake
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Experts state that anyone on or who has been on a vegetarian or vegan diet should take at least 2-3 years or more for replenishment before trying to conceive to ensure the healthiest babies.
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“A malnourished or depleted body needs time to recover, and that recovery needs to take place, before, not during, your pregnancy.” — Dr. Thomas Cowan & Sally Fallon
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We can't also ignore that following any specific diet comes with privilege. This requires resources and supplements, which often times mean more financial freedom needed.
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Looking to replenish but not sure where to start? Stay tuned for my upcoming course where we’ll cover exactly how to do this!

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Fallon, S. Cowan, T.S. (2013, 2015). The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care. Washington, D.C.: NewTrends Publishing.

Nichols, L. (2018). Real Food for Pregnancy. United States.

Shanahan, C. (2017). Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food. Flatiron Books Publishing.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.