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Effects of Vegetarian Diets Upon the Composition of Human Milk

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Human Lactation 2

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Abstract

Nutrients of concern when vegetarian diets are analyzed for adequacy include: protein, iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, riboflavin, vitamin B-12 and vitamin D. With careful planning it is possible for a lacto-ovo-vegetarian to meet or exceed the dietary requirement for all nutrients. Since vitamin B-12 is found only in animal products, very strict vegetarians cannot meet their vitamin B-12 requirement through diet. In this review, the effect of diet on breast milk composition will be examined with particular emphasis on those nutrients likely to be inadequate in vegetarian diets. In addition, the effect of dietary fat on the composition of breast milk will be considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA

    Dorothy Ann Finley

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  1. Dorothy Ann Finley
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  1. Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C., USA

    Margit Hamosh

  2. University of Texas, Galveston, Texas, USA

    Armond S. Goldman

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Finley, D.A. (1986). Effects of Vegetarian Diets Upon the Composition of Human Milk. In: Hamosh, M., Goldman, A.S. (eds) Human Lactation 2. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7207-7_7

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