Vegan Pregnancy: You Can Do It, and So Can Natalie!

When Natalie Portman announced that she gave up her vegan lifestyle because of her cravings for “cookies or cake,” there were mixed reactions.  Sure, some people were glad that Portman was sending a message that, “I was listening to my body,”- including Dr. Marjorie Greenfield, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.  But what message is she really sending to the public: that veganism is bad for your baby?  Or, Portman proves that previous moral standings become obsolete when faced with certain cravings?

Our response to Portman’s switch in diet is: ever heard of Babycakes, or better yet, Vegan Treats?  Babycakes is located in Portman’s home base of New York, as well as a plethora of plenty of other vegan bakeries.  If vegans like us can hunt sweets down, surely superstars like Natalie Portman and ballet stud Benjamin Millepied can do the same.

But I’m not here to judge the Black Swan star.  She is a huge idol among Hollywood’s starlets, however, I am here to tell you why a vegan shouldn’t have to alter their moral standards in any instance, even during transitional times such as pregnancy and sickness.

In a 2009 Huffington Post article, Ms. Portman herself wrote why Jonathan Safran Foer’s book Eating Animals had changed her from a 20-year vegetarian into a “vegan activist.”  She explains her initial insecurities when going 100% veg and why, through reading Safran’s words, she decided to finally dedicate to the switch.

“I say that Foer’s ethical charge against animal eating is brave because not only is it unpopular, it has also been characterized as unmanly, inconsiderate, and juvenile. But he reminds us that being a man, and a human, takes more thought than just “This is tasty, and that’s why I do it.” He posits that consideration, as promoted by Michael Pollan in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, which has more to do with being polite to your tablemates than sticking to your own ideals, would be absurd if applied to any other belief (e.g., I don’t believe in rape, but if it’s what it takes to please my dinner hosts, then so be it).”

Although the idea seems to be unpopular amongst our traditionally culture-driven nation, that dosen’t mean it isn’t better for you, the world, or your baby.  If your morals are to strictly subside from animal products, then that action alone is what makes one an activist.  By making exceptions, one would not give a very good case for their cause.

What People Think About Vegan Pregnancy

I decided to take it to the streets to see what the public would say.  When walking the streets of Philadelphia, I compiled some interesting information of my own:  I asked random passers-by what they thought of a woman sticking to her vegan diet while pregnant.  And these are the eclectic responses that I got:

Corner of Walnut and 15th, Philadelphia, PA
3:20-4:15 p.m. April 9, 2011

How do you feel about a vegan woman going through pregnancy without changing her diet?  If this a negative or positive idea?

“I don’t think that’s healthy for the child.  Wasn’t there a case where some parents forced their kid to eat vegan and they ended up dying?  I wouldn’t dare do that, but if a doctor is heavily involved, it could potentially be done, but overall, I don’t think that’s the smartest thing to do.”
-42, Michael, Real Estate Broker

“I think  that vegetarian and vegans have a better diet, so why not? I don’t know anything about it but, I mean, for someone who’s already a vegan they probably know a lot more about it then me so they can do it.  I’ll leave it to them, but if they think it’s good for their baby, they know what’s good.”
-26, Natalie

“Sure, why not?  Veganism is blowin’ up, so I’m sure that if a pregnant woman is already going to doctor’s appointments and getting guidance during her pregnancy, there’s bound to be vegan options for everything.  Just look at this city- you see vegan restaurants everywhere- even cocktails and beers which I didn’t even know weren’t vegan before.  Everything is being catered to the life style, why shouldn’t pregnancy be I guess.”
-19, Hanna, Art Institute student

“Eh, seems alright to me.  The only thing that would matter to me would be if her boobs still got larger.  Do they even have much information on that?  Maybe if there isn’t much information, it couldbe dangerous to do it.”
-20, Mark, Gap Employee

“I want my wife to be vegan, because I’m a vegan.  But when the time comes, I’m going to do a lot of research and I’ll do whatever it takes o have a healthy baby.  I’ll read some Dr. Spock.  Dr. Spock is a pregnancy doctor and pediatrician who went vegan in the mid 90’s to become healthier, and eventually was inspired to write a book that is still basically known today as the bible for vegan pregnancies.”
-20, Eric, Temple University Student

“I have no idea but it sounds like it would be alright.  You can still breast feed?  Okay, then there really is no difference until the baby is older.  That’s fine then.”
-45, Baskin, Business Owner

“Hey- whatever they do, they’re probably gonna do it right.  If they can take care of themselves every day and are healthy , it should be easier to feed the child once born.  They just have to make sure they’re eating everything they need while pregnant.”
-37, Debbie, Mother

“That’s a weird question, you don’t get that every day.  Well, I have no problem with meat or anything, so I don’t see why anyone would wanna do that.  Oh, they want to be healthier?  I’m not sure if that’s healthier at all.  Just be normal.”
-24, Will, works at Applebee’s

“I know a couple who raised a vegan baby.  She’s probably more energetic and insane than most babies, and she hasn’t had any health problems.  She’s a toddler now and is a healthy weight.  I think, if it’s a good relationship and both parties are willing and really want to do it, then it’s totally safe.  You should do it!”
-Emile, works at Milkboy Cafe and attends Graduate School

“That’s very interesting.  I don’t know much about it except for what you just told me, but it would be neat to see different perspectives on this- good and bad.  I have a feeling most people would be quick to put it down, but after being educated about it, they would realize it’s beneficial and healthy.  I’m interested in learning more about it.”
-52, Cindy, Teacher

Two of the 10 interviewed vetoed the idea, while the rest said it was the mother’s choice or were pro-vegan.

Needless to say, these responses blew my mind.

My precognition was that many people would dismiss the idea immediately.  I didn’t even explain to them the benefits of vegan pregnancy beforehand: these opinions were based solely on their previous knowledge and impressions.

The Truth About Vegan Pregnancy

So, then, are the “feelings” of wanting to eat eggs and non-vegan baked goods really side effects of a vegan diet?  Dr. Greenfield seems to believe you should listen to your body when pregnant no matter what,  but isn’t this actually a dangerous belief?

Example: it’s late at night and you’re craving ice cream.  You inhale an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s Late Night Snack and after  the milk-coated chocolate-covered potato chips sit in a pile of caramel-swirled bile while you sleep overnight, you awake with a terrible stomach ache and walk around the rest of the day bloated, slowing you down at work.  Your entire day is affected because your body was lyin’ to you, and you just had to listen.

Listening to your body is certainly not good medical advice.  People (especially women.. especially pregnant women!) naturally have cravings that are hard to control.  But they must plan and be conscious of what they’re putting into your body, whether pregnant or not.  Pregnancy is a responsibility that you must be ready to combat, and if you’re a vegan chick who wants to stand by their implications, then you should take the time to research how to raise that child in a vegan womb.  Vegan pregnancy may not be a popular idea to some,  but those people who fiercely disagree are not educated about the benefits of raising a child vegan.

In fact, healthy pregnancies result from vegan women.  One of the vegan diet’s main health benefits is aiding in disease-prevention, maintaining a healthy weight, and blasting the body with vitamins from a diet balanced in lots of fruits and vegetables.

So when I consulted MayoClinic, one of the most legitimate medical sources available to the public, I typed in  “vegan pregnancy” into the search bar.   The only negative side effect listed was Vitamin Deficiency Anemia.  There are 3 vitamin deficiencies that can cause anemia: folate, vitamin b12, and vitamin C.  The most concentrated sources in existence of folate are fruits and leafy green vegetables.   Citrus fruits are the best sources of vitamin C.

However, the top 10 sources of vitamin B12, according to whfoods.com, include braised calf’s liver, foie gras, octopus, and 5 types of fish- how un-vegan!   However, a warning is given at the bottom of the page due to the high content of saturated fat and cholesterol that in these foods that, if not eaten in small amounts, can lead to serious health risks.  The life threatening compounds of mercury found in fish is extremely dangerous for babies as well, and although the omega-3 oils are good for a growing womb, those same oils can be found from plant sources such as walnuts and flax seed oil which are free life-threatening toxins for both mommy and baby.  It’s better to get b12 from these sources as well as fortified cereals, tofu, and soy or nut milks.

So Natalie hun, for the best of the baby and for you, why not be vegan?  In her essay, Portman explains,

“Foer… reminds us that our food is symbolic of what we believe in, and that eating is how we demonstrate to ourselves and to others our beliefs: Catholics take communion — in which food and drink represent body and blood. Jews use salty water on Passover to remind them of the slaves’ bitter tears. And on Thanksgiving, Americans use succotash and slaughter to tell our own creation myth — how the Pilgrims learned from Native Americans to harvest this land and make it their own.
And as we use food to impart our beliefs to our children, the point from which Foer lifts off, what stories do we want to tell our children through their food?”

Interesting point.  If the young star is publicly displaying her vegan beliefs, she is going against what she initially sought to portray herself as.

Many women are vegan, healthy, happy and active.  They are not sickly, underweight, or constantly hungry.  If their diet have improved their livelihood without a human inside their uterine lining, why would it fail to further improve that women’s life as well as the life of her unborn child?  Well-plann­ed vegetarian diets are appropriat­e for individual­s during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescenc­e, and for athletes.

So while we’re bummed that Ms. Portman ditched her vegan diet for cravings, she’s still rocking a vegetarian diet, which still gains our respect and love.  Cheers to a healthy, happy baby for Portman and her boo, Benjamin Millepied!

Learn More About Vegan Pregnancy

Here are some links a resources for those who are preggers or want a deeper look at healthy vegan pregnancy!

Skinny Bitch: Bun In the Oven

Yes, even I, a 19 year old with absolutely no hope in being pregnant any time soon, have read this book.  The same punchy Freedman and Barnouin duo, back with a baby-nourishing vegan vengeance.

Vegan Peace Blog’s Guide on Vegan Pregnancy

Comprehensive source of links to vitamins, nutrition, and superfoods- an all-inclusive survival guide

Vegan Peace Blog’s Guide on Raising Vegan Children

Source of links to infant formula, nutrition, and everything you need to know on raising healthy, vegan chil’uns

Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care

Pediatrician Dr. Spock went vegan in the early 90’s to improve his health.  He found that he could apply the diet’s benefits to pregnancy and children, and this is his bible.  In fact, Dr. Spock’s was the second highest selling book next to the Bible.  His latest edition focuses on his lifetime of work in the field and suggests the best diet for children is meat and dairy-free!’

 

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Reigning from Philadelphia, Marissa Oswald is a vegan advocate living in a college student’s body.  Working toward a B.A. in Journalism and English at Temple University, she is an art and entertainment writer at PhillyBroadcaster.com, online personality of website, Veganatrix, and intern at CITYSPACE real estate agency.  All of these things combine her love for the arts, sustainable living and design, and people.  But her diet is what’s most important; it affects her lifestyle and the way she interacts with the earth and all other living beings.  After reading Skinny Bitch and taking a trip to Kenya two years ago, Marissa has dedicated herself to a life-long goal to live without harming any other life and plans to serve you as an unfiltered source of expertise on cruelty-free food, health, beauty, and social issues.  Marissa is also very enthusiastic about dance, poetry, long distance running, juice detoxing, raw food, and puppies.  If she took you out, she’d probably take you to a farmer’s market, a yoga class, a kayaking excursion, then finally, her kitchen- if you’re lucky.  This chic is ready to take on the world; one portobello burger at a time.