Is it safe to eat a vegetarian diet during pregnancy?
A. Pregnant women should be especially careful about eliminating meat products from their diets. In a study conducted earlier this year, researchers at the University of Bristol found that mums who followed a vegetarian diet during pregnancy were five times more likely to deliver a baby boy with a birth defect. While the cause was unclear, researchers speculate that a compound found in soya may be to blame and that vegetarian women were more likely to eat a diet high in soya. To prevent problems like this, speak to your doctor or a nutritionist before switching to a vegetarian diet. Or, if you’re currently a vegetarian and are thinking about having a baby, consult your doctor about any special precautions.