Good nutrition for the vegetarian mother

A pregnant or nursing vegetarian mother needs to be aware of the need to vary her diet because the nutrients that she would otherwise get from meat or fish are more widely scattered in foods of plant origin. Diets which exclude dairy products require more careful planning. Particular attention needs to be made to the mother's intake of iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Vegetarian mothers do not show a higher incidence of complications of pregnancy, but there are some links between vegetarians and lower birthweight and earlier labour. On weaning the infant's diet should not be too bulky and should provide adequate vitamin D and B12.