These vegan pregnancy books are, in my opinion, must-reads for any vegan pregnancy.
They cover a range of topics that will help you prepare for and feel your best during and after your vegan pregnancy.
Back when I was pregnant with my first child, there weren’t many vegan pregnancy books available for me to get my hands on. They simply did not yet exist.
So I relied on my information gathered directly from nutrition studies to determine what was best to eat.
But let me tell you; research papers make for some very dry reading material!
Luckily, the seven books below are much more pleasant to read.
Some of these books are strictly related to a vegan pregnancy while others cover other relevant plant-based nutrition topics.
For instance, how to rely on a plant-based diet to enhance fertility. Or to promote the proper growth and development of the whole family.
As a bonus, each is written by a licensed professionals in their field such as a plant-based dietitian or physician.
These authors base their recommendations on nutrition science and provide extensive lists of references to support their claims. This allows you to go straight down to the source, if you so wish.
Finally, they all promote a balanced way of eating, rather than diet extremes. Which in my view, is the cherry on the sundae.
So without any further ado, here are my 8 top picks for vegan pregnancy books in 2024.
Table of contents
- Your Complete Vegan Pregnancy: Your All-in-One Guide to a Healthy, Holistic, Plant-Based Pregnancy
- Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families
- The Plant-Based Dietitian’s Guide to Fertility
- Plant-Based Nutrition in Clinical Practice
- Vegan for Her
- Becoming Vegan: The Complete Reference to Plant-Based Nutrition (Comprehensive Edition)
- Eating Plant-Based: Scientific Answers to Your Nutrition Questions
Vegan pregnancy book recommendation #1: Your Complete Vegan Pregnancy: Your All-in-One Guide to a Healthy, Holistic, Plant-Based Pregnancy
Author
Reed Mangels, PhD, RD.
Publishing date
April 2019
What you need to know about it
This is one of my favorite vegan pregnancy books. It is written by a registered dietitian, and the info shared is science-based and legit!
This very comprehensive guide begins with an overview of the basics of a vegan diet.
It then dives into the specifics of a healthy vegan pregnancy. The chapters also include plenty of practical tips.
Examples include a section on vegan-specific food safety and another on how to respond to criticism from skeptical friends or family.
What I especially like about this book
I love that there’s a section that organizes all the info you need to know trimester by trimester.
This helps keep the focus on what’s relevant to you right now, so you can avoid information overload.
I also appreciated the list of additional resources to check out as well as the 54 yummy plant-based recipes included at the end.
Vegan pregnancy book recommendation #2: Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families
Authors
Reshma Shah, MD, MPH, and Brenda Davis, RD.
Publishing date
November 2020.
What you need to know about it
This book is written by a board-certified pediatrician and a registered dietitian and is aimed at plant-based families.
It covers what and how to nourish family members in all stages of life; from pregnancy and breastfeeding, all throughout adolescence.
So it’s definitely a worthy addition to your vegan pregnancy book collection! It also includes both science-based information and delicious plant-based recipes.
What I especially like about this book
I’m a fan of the chapters aimed at building confidence around a plant-based diet. They include topics such as setting the table, family meals, weighty matters, and raising a veg-leaning family. All well-worth considering when raising a vegan family.
Vegan pregnancy book recommendation #3: The Plant-Based Dietitian’s Guide to Fertility
Author
Lisa Simon, RD.
Publishing date
May 2023.
What you need to know about it
This book is written by a registered dietitian. It covers various issues ranging from pre-conception to delivery.
So it’s another worthy addition to your vegan pregnancy book library.
In it, you’ll find a discussion on the impact of animal foods on fertility, including PCOS and endometriosis.
It also outlines six distinct strategies you can use to optimize your fertility through your diet and lifestyle.
What I especially like about this book
The section on common fertility nutrition myths. I also appreciate that both male and female fertility is discussed, as both are required to make a baby!
Vegan pregnancy book recommendation #4: Plant-Based Nutrition in Clinical Practice
Authors
Shireen Kassam, MD, Zahra Kassam, MD, and Lisa Simon, RD.
Publishing date
October 2022
What you need to know about it
This book is inspired by the University of Winchester’s first plant-based nutrition course in the UK.
This course is led by Dr. Shireen Kassam and covers plant-based nutrition topics from birth to old age.
This one is more than just a vegan pregnancy book. Similarly to the university course, the book discusses the impact of a plant-based diet on various aspects of health. However, the section on vegan pregnancy and lactation is definitely worth a read.
What I especially like about this book
All chapters are backed by more than 50 scientific references each.
You’ll also find a chapter on plant-based nutrition for male and female health. This one covers fertility-related issues such as PCOS, fibroids, or endometriosis. It also includes diet recommendations for male and female fertility.
Vegan pregnancy book recommendation #5: Vegan for Her
Authors
Virginia Messina MPH, RD and JL Fields.
Publishing date
July 2013.
What you need to know about it
This slightly older book is written by a registered dietitian and a vegan chef.
You can see it as the vegan pregnancy book OG!
It offers chapters on a variety of health topics useful for before, during, and after pregnancy.
I particularly appreciated the discussion on how your diet can impact your hormones.
What I especially like about this book
I particularly liked the section in this book focussed on how to take your veganism beyond the plate. It’s a nice addition if you’re interested in integrating veganism into other aspects of your life.
Vegan pregnancy book recommendation #6: Becoming Vegan: The Complete Reference to Plant-Based Nutrition (Comprehensive Edition)
Authors
Brenda Davis RD, and VEsanto Melina, MS, RD.
Publishing date
August 2014.
What you need to know about it
This is also a slightly older book but nonetheless one of my favorite vegan nutrition books.
Fun fact: it’s often referred to as the encyclopedia for vegan nutrition.
This book is written by two registered dietitians and covers all you need to know about a vegan diet.
It comes in two versions; an express edition geared towards the general public, and a comprehensive edition geared more towards health professionals.
I prefer the comprehensive edition. It goes in-depth on each of the topics, but is arguably a drier read.
So if you prefer lighter reading, the express edition may be a better choice for you.
What I especially like about this book
The section on expecting vegans that covers pregnancy and lactation is a must-have in your vegan pregnancy book repertoire. It discusses weight, diet and supplements trimester by trimester. It also provides a sample menu for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Vegan pregnancy book recommendation #7: Eating Plant-Based: Scientific Answers to Your Nutrition Questions
Authors
Shireen Kassam, MD, and Zahra Kassam, MD.
Publishing date
February 2022.
What you need to know about it
This book covers all of the frequently asked questions about a vegan diet.
Sometimes, it’s hard to get a black or white answer to a question.
The answers in this book are based in science, and provide you with sufficient information to make-up your own mind regarding each topic.
What I especially like about this book
I loved the section on the common health concerns about vegan and vegetarian diets.
It covers questions such as “Can I have a healthy pregnancy on a plant-based diet,” “Will a plant-based diet affect my child’s development,” and “There are many published cases of children dying because of a vegan diet. What do you say about this?”
To sum it all up
A vegan pregnancy is currently not the norm.
Because of this, people in your life are likely to raise an eyebrow when inform them of your choice to eat an exclusively plant-based diet during pregnancy.
That said, a vegan diet can absolutely be appropriate for all stages of life, including pregnancy.
It simply requires some basic nutrition knowledge, guidance, and encouragement, all of which you can find in the eight books above.
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