Vitamin B12
The regular use of vitamin B12 supplements or fortified foods is recommended for all pregnant vegans. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the developing fetus. Fortified foods include some breakfast cereals, some soy milks.Folate
Folate has been in the news because of its connection with a type of birth defect called neural tube defect. Studies have shown that women who have infants with neural tube defects have lower intakes of folate and lower blood folate levels than other women. Folate is needed early in pregnancy (before many women know they are pregnant) for normal neural tube development. Many vegan foods including enriched bread, pasta, and cold cereal; dried beans; green leafy vegetables; and orange juice are good sources of folate. Vegan diets tend to be high in folate, however, to be on the safe side, women capable of becoming pregnant should take a supplement or use fortified foods that provide 400 micrograms of folate daily. DHA is a type of fat that is mainly found in fatty fish. It seems to be important in the development of the brain and the retina, a part of the eye. Some DHA can be made from another fat called linolenic acid that is found in flaxseed, flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnuts, and soybeans. Choosing these foods regularly and avoiding foods containing trans-fats that can interfere with DHA production, can help to enhance DHA production. Some women may opt to use a vegan DHA supplement produced from microalgae.Iodine
Pregnant vegans should use iodized salt at the table or in cooking to insure adequate iodine intake. Slightly more than half a teaspoon of iodized salt meets iodine needs in pregnancy while the iodine needs of breast-feeding women can be met by ¾ teaspoon of iodized salt. Other options are a low-dose iodine supplement (check - iodine may already be in your prenatal supplement at 100% of the Daily Value, and, if it is, additional iodine is not needed) or limited use of sea vegetables.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.vrg.org/)
