Source: https://www.animal-ethics.org/nutrition-special-cases/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 13:40:22+00:00

Document:
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and other organizations of nutrition professionals have stated that an appropriately planned vegan diet is appropriate for people at all stages of life, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, and later in life, as well as for athletes. In the following sections we will look at the special nutritional needs of each of these groups, and we will present some recommendations nutritionist have made to people in those groups to keep their health at their absolute best.
Pregnant women need 50% more protein. For this reason, they should have five or six servings of high protein foods every day.
Even though iron absorption is increased during pregnancy, it is necessary to consume double the amount. It is also common for pregnant women to have levels of zinc that are lower than recommended. It’s important to get sufficient vitamin D, through either sun exposure or supplementation. It is especially important for the health of the future baby to get enough vitamin B12 and iron.
Health professionals generally recommend that all pregnant women take a multivitamin and multi-mineral supplement in order to avoid possible nutritional deficiencies, even if they are already following a healthy diet.
25-100 mcg of vitamin B12.
A prenatal supplement containing folic acid, zinc, iron and copper. If this supplement does not contain iodine, an additional 150 mg iodine supplement should be added.
300 mg DHA. Vegan DHA supplements derived from algae can be found in several stores that sell supplements.
800 IU (20 mcg) – 1,000 IU (25 mcg) of vitamin D.
Supplementation is recommended not only for vegans but for all women during pregnancy.
An important clarification is useful here. We shouldn’t confuse macrobiotic and vegan diets. A macrobiotic diet is plant-based, and it can be followed in a vegan way, but macrobiotics is a system of eating and philosophy that is different from veganism. Some studies have indicated that infant growth is not adequate if the child is put on a strict macrobiotic diet.4 Based on the available evidence, it is recommended that children not be put on a macrobiotic diet due to the health risks it may pose. Fat-free and very low-fat diets–Engine 2 (E2) is one example–are also not advised for very young children. In addition to containing essential fatty acids like ALA, dietary fats provide calories for growth and brain development and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The Engine 2 diet is plant-based, but parents should be aware when dining out that some restaurants confuse gluten-free diets with vegan diets.
Lactating mothers need more calories in order to produce milk. It is recommended that they also supplement daily with vitamin B12, DHA and iodine.
Babies begin eating solid foods at between four and six months old. There are different ways to make the transition. One is to start by feeding the baby a mixture of rice cereal and breast milk. Once the baby can eat a third of a cup of this per day, other mashed foods can be added, such as fruits and vegetables like apples, bananas, pears, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans and avocado.
At seven months of age, apple juice and protein-rich foods can be added, such as legumes (cooked and pureed), mashed tofu, soy yogurt and cabbage.
From birth to one year of age, experts recommend the following daily supplements for babies: 1 mg iron per kilo (.45 mg/lb.) up until six months of age, and the same amount thereafter unless iron-rich foods are eaten, and 400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D.
As we age, our caloric needs are reduced, while generally our nutritional needs remain the same or are even increased. The following section will discuss the different nutritional needs for people over 50.
It’s important to consume protein-rich foods. This, together with resistance exercise, will help to slow the loss of muscle mass that occurs with time or even increase it.
Optimal health requires adequate nutrition and physical activity. A variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds will fulfill the needs of most moderately active vegans. For the very active or those who engage in athletic competition, whether strength or endurance, a few targeted adjustments to both macronutrients and micronutrients can help ensure success.
It is crucial to consume enough calories in order to build muscle, reduce fatigue and train vigorously, and this can be challenging to a new vegan athlete accustomed to consuming small portions of low-fiber foods. High fiber diets may lead to additional calorie needs and most athletes will require 2,000-6,000 calories per day.19 Macronutrient percentage recommendations differ little from general guidelines. Carbohydrates are the body’s best source of fuel so 50-65% (up to 70%) of calories should come from starchy vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. Refined foods like pastas can be used judiciously for high intensity training when quick energy is needed. Fats are both essential and beneficial for energy and should comprise 20-35% of the diet depending on total caloric needs.20 Nuts and seeds, their butters and avocados are excellent nutrient-dense fatty foods.
Increased calorie consumption inevitably leads to higher protein consumption, but athletes are advised to consume slightly more protein than the average active vegan. Endurance athletes require about .6 -.7 grams/lbs. (1.3-1.5 grams/k) aiming for the higher end during the early stages of training, and strength athletes should increase to about .06 -.9 grams/lbs. (1.3-1.9 grams/k).21 Consuming plenty of legumes, tofu and tempeh is an easy way to ensure adequate protein intake. Some athletes appreciate the ease of protein powders, and a wide variety is available to help meet protein requirements.
Diligent adherence to recommended intakes and increased energy intake will meet the athlete’s needs for most micronutrients. Problems generally result only when calories are restricted.
Vitamin C needs increase with prolonged and strenuous exercise, so it is advisable to consume 100-1,000 mg per day through foods or in combination with supplementation. Some vitamin C-rich foods are citrus fruits, broccoli, leafy greens, mangos and red bell peppers. When consumed together, vitamin C-rich foods increase the absorption of iron, the most commonly deficient mineral in athletes, especially females. Inadequate intakes and reduced absorption compromise overall performance, work capacity and endurance. In particular, iron requirements for endurance athletes are increased by about 70%. Intakes should exceed 8 mg for men and post-menopausal women and 18 mg for women of childbearing age.
Adams, C. J.; Breitman, P. & Messina, V. (2014) Never too late to go vegan: The over-50 guide to adopting and thriving on a plant-based diet, New York: The Experiment.
Attini, R.; Leone, F.; Parisi, S.; Fassio, F.; Capizzi, I.; Loi, V.; Colla, L.; Rossetti, M.; Gerbino, M.; Maxia, S.; Alemanno, M. G.; Minelli, F.; Piccoli, E.; Versino, E.; Biolcati, M.; Avagnina, P.; Pani, A.; Cabiddu, G.; Todros, T. & Piccoli, G. B. (2016) “Vegan-vegetarian low-protein supplemented diets in pregnant CKD patients: Fifteen years of experience”, BMC Nephrology, 17 [accessed on 28 April 2017].
Mangels, R. (2011) The everything vegan pregnancy book, Avon: Adams Media.
Messina, V. & Fields, J. L. (2013) Vegan for her: The women’s guide to being healthy and fit on a plant-based diet, Boston: Da Capo.
Pavlina, E. (2003) Raising vegan children in a non-vegan world: A complete guide for parents, Tarzana: VegFamily.
1 Sanders, T. A. & Reddy, S. (1992) “The influence of a vegetarian diet on the fatty acid composition of human milk and the essential fatty acid status of the infant”, Journal of Pediatrics, 120, pp. S71-S77. Lakin, V.; Haggarty, P.; Abramovich, D. R.; Ashton, J.; Moffat, C. F., McNeill, G.; Danielian, P. J. & Grubb, D. (1998) “Dietary intake and tissue concentration of fatty acids in omnivore, vegetarian and diabetic pregnancy”, Prostaglandis Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 59, p. 209-220.
2 Norris, J. & Messina, V. (2011) Vegan for life, Philadelphia: Da Capo, pp. 133-140.
3 Mendez, M. A.; Anthony, M. S. & Arab, L. (2002) “Soy-based formulae and infant growth and development: A review”, Journal of Nutrition, 132, pp. 2127-2130. Mangels, A. R. & Messina, V. (2001) “Considerations in planning vegan diets: Infants”, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 101, pp. 670-677.
4 Dagnelie, P. C.; van Staveren, W. A.; Vergote, F. J.; Burema, J.; van’t Hof, M. A.; van Klaveren, J. D. & Hautvast, J. G. (1989) “Nutritional status of infants aged 4 to 18 months on macrobiotic diets and matched omnivorous control infants: A population-based mixed-longitudinal study. II. Growth and psychomotor development”, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 43, pp. 325-338.
5 Davis, B. & Melina, V. (2014) Becoming vegan, comprehensive ed., Summertown: Book Publishing, p. 307.
6 Norris, J. & Messina, V. (2011) Vegan for life, op. cit., p. 147.
8 Mangels, A. R. & Messina, V. (2001) “Considerations in planning vegan diets: Infants”, op. cit.
9 Norris, J. (2018) “Omega-3s”, VeganHealth.org [accessed on 14 August 2018].
10 Wagner, C. L.; Greer, F. R. & Section on Breastfeeding and Committee on Nutrition (2008) “Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents”, Pediatrics, 122, pp. 1142-1152.
11 Norris, J. & Messina, V. (2011) Vegan for life, op. cit., p. 159.
12 Adams, C.; Breitman, P. & Messina, V. (2014) Never too to go vegan: The over-50 guide to adopting and thriving on a plant-based diet, op. cit, p. 95.
13 Toss, G.; Andersson, R.; Diffey, B. L.; Fall, P. A.; Larkö, O. & Larsson, L. (1982) “Oral vitamin D and ultraviolet radiation for the prevention of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly”, Acta Medica Scandinavica, 212, pp. 157-162. Reid, I. R.; Gallagher, D. J. & Bosworth, J. (1986) “Prophylaxis against vitamin D deficiency in the elderly by regular sunlight exposure”, Age and Ageing, 15, pp. 35-40.
14 Adams, C.; Breitman, P. & Messina, V. (2014) Never too to go vegan: The over-50 guide to adopting and thriving on a plant-based diet, op. cit., p. 95.
15 Norris, J. (2010) “DHA supplements: A good idea, especially for older vegan men”, VeganHealth.org, November 8th [accessed on 18 October 2012].
16 Brasky, T. M.; Till, C.; White, E.; Neuhouser, M. L.; Song, X.; Goodman, P.; Thompson, I. M.; King, I. B.; Albanes, D. & Kristal, A. R. (2011) “Serum phospholipid fatty acids and prostate cancer risk: Results from the prostate cancer prevention trial”, American Journal of Epidemiology, 173, pp. 1429-1439. Norris, J. (2013) “DHA supplements and prostate cancer”, VeganHealth.org, 25th July [accessed on 14 April 2014].
17 Norris, J. & Messina, V. (2011) Vegan for life, op. cit., pp. 163-168.
18 Davis, B. & Melina, V. (2014) Becoming vegan, op. cit., p. 354.
20 Ibid., p. 408. Frazier, M. & Rusigno, M. (2013) No meat athlete: Run on plants and discover your fittest, fastest, happiest self, Beverly: Fair Winds, p. 66.
21 Davis, B. & Melina, V. (2014) Becoming vegan, op. cit., p. 410.
23 American Dietetic Association; Dietitians of Canada; American College of Sports Medicine; Rodriguez, N. R.; Di Marco, N. M. & Langley, S. (2009) “American college of sports medicine position stand. Nutrition and athletic performance”, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41, pp. 709-731.

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