Modeling ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan USDA food patterns and assessing nutrient adequacy for lactation among adult females

Authors: Hess, Julie; Comeau, Madeline; SWANSON, KYLIE - University Of North Dakota; BURBANK, MANDY - Grand Forks Public Health

Submitted to: Current Developments in Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/17/2023
Publication Date: 11/20/2023
Citation: Hess, J.M., Comeau, M.E., Swanson, K., Burbank, M. 2023. Modeling ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan USDA food patterns and assessing nutrient adequacy for lactation among adult females. Current Developments in Nutrition. 7(12):1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.102034.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.102034

Interpretive Summary: Research Question: Can vegetarian models of the Healthy Vegetarian Dietary Pattern (HVDP) from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide sufficient nutrition during lactation, a life stage with unique nutrient needs? Key Findings: The results of this food pattern modeling study indicate that adaptations of the HVDP for ovo-vegetarian, vegan, lacto-vegetarian, and pescatarian preferences can provide adequate amounts of most macro- and micronutrients, including nutrients of concern, during lactation.

Technical Abstract: Background: Among its recommended dietary patterns for Americans, including lactating mothers, the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) includes a Healthy Vegetarian Dietary Pattern (HVDP). However, the DGA does not provide guidance for adapting the HVDP for vegetarians who avoid dairy (ovo-vegetarian) or eggs (lacto-vegetarian), eat fish (pescatarians), or avoid all animal foods (vegan). Objective: To determine whether models of the HVDP for different vegetarian diets could provide sufficient nutrition during lactation, a life stage with unique nutrient needs. Design: Adaptations of the HVDP were developed at the 2200 and 2400 kcal levels using similar methods to the 2020 DGA. We compared these models to both the original HVDP and to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for women ages 19-30 and ages 31-50 during lactation months 1-12. All models were developed both with and without the addition of a multi-vitamin and -mineral prenatal supplement, commonly taken by women throughout lactation. Participants/setting: n/a Intervention: n/a Main outcome measures: Ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan adaptations of the HVDP Statistical analyses performed: n/a Results: All models (original HVDP, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan) at all energy levels met the Adequate Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs). Like the original HVDP and other dietary patterns in the DGA, the vegetarian adaptations in this study did not contain enough vitamin D, vitamin E, or choline to meet DRIs across all models and energy levels. With the prenatal supplement added, the models did not contain enough sodium, vitamin D, or choline. Some models also contained less than 100% of the DRIs for sodium, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. Amounts of all other micronutrients met DRIs. Conclusions: Adaptations of the HVDP can provide adequate amounts of most nutrients, including nutrients of concern, during lactation to meet the needs of mothers during this life stage.