Meghan Markle Ditches Plant Based Diet For Pregnancy Over Vitamin B12 Concerns

Looks like the royal medical team doesn’t believe Meghan Markle will get the B12 she needs on her vegan diet!

A report claims Markle has been advised to get back on meat “for the sake of the baby.” The Duchess Of Sussex has long been known as a vegan-friendly celebrity, right from her days on legal drama Suits.

Her semi-vegan or "vegan during the week" diet, along with her favourite foods, have been documented in several publications, including her now-shuttered lifestyle site, The Tig. (She’s also a big advocate for animal adoption.)

While every medical practitioner and nutritionist will tell you that putting more plants on your plate is the right thing to do, there’s always that niggling aspect of B12.  Which brings us to the question: can you follow a vegan diet while pregnant? The answer is: yes.

Busting The B12 Myth

Many vegan moms-to-be are often told they won’t get the B12 they need if they don’t eat meat. But is animal protein really necessary for B12?

B12 is actually made by bacteria, fungi and yeast. And since meat and milk are “decaying” substances, they are chock-full of it!

But the cleaning, washing and sterilization of vegan sources tend to destroy the bacteria and natural B12 content in it – which is why vegans are advised to take B12 supplements.

Naturally, pregnant women on a vegan diet will need to be more vigilant about their supplements to ensure their levels are in check. It’s also important to note here that B12 deficiency isn’t an exclusively vegan problem – even meat-eaters can suffer from it!

B12 deficiency can happen to vegans and non-vegetarians

Vegan Sources Of B12

You don’t need a giant steak or medium-raw burger. There are actually enough and more vegan sources of B12, starting with the humble idli and dosa (since they are fermented)

• Nutritional yeast
• Shiitake mushrooms 
• Fortified coconut milk
• Fortified nut milks
• Fortified cereals

Nutritional yeast is a good source of B12

So, there are enough ways to get B12 even while on a vegan diet. And thousands of vegan moms around the world have had successful pregnancies while staying 100% plant-based.

So perhaps the concern over B12 and pregnancy has more to do with conditioning, belief and what our own moms did before us?  Either way, it’s important to make an informed choice. So, arm yourself with info about your B12 requirements, vegan sources of it, and, as always, consult your doctor before you take a decision about your diet! 

*Always consult a medical professional before taking any decisions regarding your pregnancy and diet plan

Like this?

Read: I was Vegan for both my Pregnancies and they were Amazing

Read more: Are you meeting your nutrition values on a vegan diet?