Introduction: Vegan diets are becoming more common these days, even among pregnant women. At medical examination they often ask if they can eat vegan even during pregnancy, and if this is appropriate for their child’s development. Experts confirm that a well-planned vegan diet based on a wide variety of plant foods and excluding all foods of animal origin is adequate at all stages of life, including pregnancy. Purpose: There will be a presentation on the vegan diet, the pros and cons of a vegan diet in pregnancy, and how gestational diabetes, hypertension in pregnancy, and anemia are related to the vegan diet. By publishing the results of the thesis, we will acquaint pregnant women how the vegan diet affects pregnancy, the fetus and the mother. Methods: We used a qualitative research method with a review of professional and scientific literature. We searched the existing scientific literature in English and Slovenian with the help of databases (PubMed, DiKUL, COBISS, Google Scholar). The literature is limited to the period of publication from 2000 to 2020. In searching for the literature, we used the following keywords: vegan, pregnancy, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, anemia. Results: Vegan diets can meet the needs of appropriate nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and can be an appropriate choice for all stages of life, including pregnancy, provided they are well planned. The problems were in people who did not follow an adequate nutrient intake. During pregnancy, the critical nutrients are protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine and calcium. Because of the growing interest in the vegan diet, healthcare professionals need to know the characteristics of a complete vegan diet in order to be able to advise women properly. The vegan diet is becoming more prevalent in the entire population of the western world, where these dietary patterns represent healthy dietary choices. Discussion and conclusion: A well-planned vegan diet is appropriate if it follows all the criteria, the consumption of a variety of plant foods is encouraged, attention is focused on potentially critical nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, B₁₂, calcium. It is an appropriate way of eating even in pregnancy, when all the necessary nutrients are included. Due to the growing interest, it is necessary to further investigate the effects of the vegan diet and also to inform healthcare professionals about the proper way to eat vegan. A well-planned vegan diet is appropriate if it follows all your nutrient needs. The consumption of a variety of plant foods is encouraged, attention is focused on potentially critical nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, B₁₂, calcium. It is an appropriate way of eating even in pregnancy, when all the mentioned necessary nutrients are included. Due to the growing interest, it is necessary to further investigate the effects of the vegan diet and also to inform healthcare professionals about the proper way to eat vegan.
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