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Q. Can I take Vega® plant-based protein shakes if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
A. We always recommend you check with your healthcare practitioner on whether or not you personally should use any Vega® products, such as Vega One®, Vega® Protein & Greens, Vega® Protein Smoothie, Vega® Clean* Protein *At Vega, clean means Non-GMO Project verified, gluten-free, vegan, and made without artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners., Vega® Essentials, Vega Sport® Protein, or Vega® Protein+ Shake**Vega Protein+ Shake contains at least 10% more DV for protein than Vega® Protein Smoothie. Protein content of Vega Protein Smoothie is 15g protein (21%DV) per serving; Vega Protein+ Shake has 20 grams protein per serving., while pregnant or breastfeeding.
You might wonder why we recommend that. That’s because your nutritional needs are unique when you are pregnant or breastfeeding Not only is additional energy required during pregnancy to support the demands of a growing fetus, raising your metabolism, but folic acid, choline, iron, calcium and vitamin B6, C, and E requirements also increase. Protein needs also increase during the second half of pregnancy. Total calorie, protein and calcium needs increase while breastfeeding. Mahan LK, Escott-Stump S. (2008)Krause’s Food & Nutrition Therapy. Saunders Elsevier. 12th ed.
So what works for you now, may not be suited for you during pregnancy or while you’re breastfeeding. Let’s take a quick look at some of these important nutrients and how your needs change when you are pregnant or breastfeeding:
| Amounts (grams) | Adults | Pregnant Adults | Breastfeeding |
| Vitamin C Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin C. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2017, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/ | 75-90mg | 85mg | 120mg |
| Vitamin A Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin A.” NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/ | 700-900mcg | 750-770mcg | 1200-1300mcg |
| Calcium Office of Dietary Supplements – Calcium. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2017, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/ | 1000-1200mg | 1000mg | 1000mg |
| Iron Office of Dietary Supplements – Iron. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2017, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/ | 8-18mg | 27mg | 9mg |
| Protein | 50 | 60 | 71 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2014) Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition and Lifestyle for a Healthy Pregnancy Outcome. Accessed on 12/8/17 from: https://www.eatrightpro.org/~/media/eatrightpro%20files/practice/position%20and%20practice%20papers/practice%20papers/practice_paper_healthy_pregnancy.ashx |
All that said, we understand you want to do what’s best for you and your baby. These are simply guidelines and don’t take your individual needs into consideration. Your doctor has the full scope of your overall health and wellness goals so they will be a better judge in determining whether this is a time when you should be introducing a new food or supplement into your routine or continuing with your current intake.
You and your doctor can learn more about all of our products on our website: www.myvega.com
