Vegan/vegetarian diet and human milk donation: An EMBA survey across European milk banks.

The nutritional adequacy of human milk (HM) from vegan/vegetarian mothers has been a matter of debate, and a variety of recommendations regarding the eligibility of these mothers as human milk donors exists. According to the latest evidence, HM from vegans/vegetarians is similar in its composition to that from omnivores, however, some differences may be observed regarding vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids concentrations. Maternal supplementation of these compounds has been proven effective in increasing their HM concentration. With this survey, we aimed to explore the practices currently in use in European human milk banks (HMBs) regarding potential donors following vegan/vegetarian diets. The online survey was distributed to European HMBs between January and July 2022. A total of 188 HMBs were contacted, and 118 replied (response rate 63%). Vegan and vegetarian mothers were recommended supplements of vitamin B12 to be accepted as donors in 27% and 26% of HMBs, respectively. Additional omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was required in 8% HMBs. In the remaining HMBs, these mothers were either systematically excluded or included regardless of supplementation. The dosage of the recommended supplements was extremely variable. Fifty-one percent of HMBs were following recommendations to guide their practice, national or local recommendations mainly. Great variability in European HMBs practices towards potential donors following vegan/vegetarian diets exists. Some of these practices can result in loss of donors and/or in potential nutritional deficiencies. Standardised evidence-based recommendations on this issue and their implementation in daily HMB practice are needed.

Characterization of the dietary and sociodemographic profile of a group of Colombian vegetarian women in childbearing age during the period 2021-2022 / Caracterização do perfil alimentar e sociodemográfico de um grupo de mulheres vegetarianas colombianas em idade fértil no período 2021-2022

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the dietary and sociodemographic profile of vegetarian women of childbearing age (18 and 49 years) from the Valle de Aburrá Metropolitan Area in 2021-2022 Methods Through an online survey, 232 vegetarian and vegan women of childbearing age (18 to 49 years) from the Valle de Aburrá Metropolitan Area were surveyed regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, amount of time following this eating pattern and, type and reason for choosing vegetarianism, physical activity, use of nutritional supplements and frequency of consumption of certain food groups. Descriptive analyses, association of variables with the type of vegetarianism and multinomial regression models were performed. Results A total of 232 vegetarian women were surveyed: 60.8% were between 18 and 30 years of age and belonged mainly to the middle class. According to the type of diet, 68.1% used an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet, 18.1% were vegan, 9.0% lacto-vegetarian and 4.8% ovo-vegetarian. Among the factors evaluated in their potential relationship with the different types of vegetarianism, it is highlighted that vitamin B12 supplementation presents a statistically significant association when using veganism as a comparison category. Conclusion According to the results, among young female adults the vegetarian eating style predominates, without significant differences as to the educational level, adequate levels of physical activity in most of the population; there was a higher prevalence of ovo-lacto-vegetarianism. Vitamin B12 supplementation was significantly higher in the vegan population, indicating that ovo-lacto and ovo-vegetarian populations may be at high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.

RESUMO Objetivo O estudo objetivou determinar a associação entre o perfil sociodemográfico e alimentar de mulheres vegetarianas em idade fértil (18 a 49 anos) na região metropolitana de Valle de Aburrá (Colômbia) em 2021-2022. Métodos Por meio de um questionário online, 232 mulheres vegetarianas e veganas em idade fértil (18 a 49 anos) pertencentes à região metropolitana de Valle de Aburrá foram entrevistadas sobre suas características sociodemográficas, tempo, tipo e motivo da escolha do vegetarianismo, atividade física, consumo de suplementos nutricionais e frequência de consumo dos grupos dos alimentos. Foi realizada análise descritiva, associação das variáveis com o tipo de vegetarianismo e modelos de regressão multinomial. Resultados Foram entrevistadas 232 mulheres vegetarianas: 60,8% tinham entre 18 e 30 anos e pertencem principalmente à classe social média. De acordo com o tipo de dieta, 68,1% tinham uma dieta ovolactovegetariana; 18,1%, vegana; 9%, lactovegetariana; e 4,8%, ovovegetariana. Entre os fatores avaliados em sua possível relação com os diferentes tipos de vegetarianismo, destaca-se que a suplementação de vitamina B12 apresenta associação estatisticamente significativa ao ter o veganismo como categoria de comparação. Conclusão De acordo com os resultados, entre mulheres adultas jovens, predomina o estilo alimentar vegetariano, sem diferença significativa observada no nível de escolaridade e níveis adequados de atividade física na maioria da população; há também maior prevalência de ovolactovegetarianismo. A suplementação de vitamina B12 é significativamente maior na população vegana, indicando um alto risco de deficiência nas populações ovolacto e ovovegetarianas.

Crecimiento en niños y en hijos de madres que adhieren a dietas vegetarianas: revisión de la literatura / Growth in children and in the offspring whose mothers adhere to vegetarian diets: Literature review

Introducción. La prevalencia del vegetarianismo aumenta a nivel mundial y no hay consenso acerca de si este tipo de alimentación es adecuado durante el período de crecimiento. Objetivo. Se realizó una revisión descriptiva de la literatura con el objetivo de conocer si los niños e hijos de madres que siguen dietas vegetarianas crecen de manera diferente a los niños con dietas omnívoras. Métodos. Se incluyen 25 artículos publicados entre los años 1995-2020, que describen el crecimiento prenatal, postnatal y desarrollo puberal en niños vegetarianos e hijos de madres vegetarianas. Conclusión. La escasez de estudios longitudinales y resultados en el largo plazo, la heterogeneidad en la clasificación y el registro de las dietas, además de deficiencias metodológicas, no permiten concluir que el crecimiento de estos niños sea diferente al de los niños que siguen dietas omnívoras. Se requieren estudios longitudinales en el largo plazo para contribuir a dirimir esta controversia

The prevalence of vegetarianism is rising worldwide and there is no consensus about whether it is adequate during the growth period. The objective of this descriptive review is to find out if vegetarian children and children born from mothers who follow vegetarian diets, grow different from those who follow omnivorous diets. Results. 25 articles published between 1995 and 2020 were included describing prenatal and postnatal growth and pubertal development in vegetarian children and children of vegetarian mothers. Conclusion. The scarcity of longitudinal studies and long-term results, the heterogeneity in the classification and registration of the diets, in addition to methodological deficiencies, do not allow to conclude that the growth of these children is different from children on omnivorous diets. Long-term longitudinal studies are required to help to solve this controversy

[Growth in children and in the offspring whose mothers adhere to vegetarian diets: Literature review]. / Crecimiento en niños y en hijos de madres que adhieren a dietas vegetarianas: revisión de la literatura.

The prevalence of vegetarianism is rising worldwide and there is no consensus about whether it is adequate during the growth period. The objective of this descriptive review is to find out if vegetarian children and children born from mothers who follow vegetarian diets, grow different from those who follow omnivorous diets. Results. 25 articles published between 1995 and 2020 were included describing prenatal and postnatal growth and pubertal development in vegetarian children and children of vegetarian mothers. Conclusion. The scarcity of longitudinal studies and long-term results, the heterogeneity in the classification and registration of the diets, in addition to methodological deficiencies, do not allow to conclude that the growth of these children is different from children on omnivorous diets. Long-term longitudinal studies are required to help to solve this controversy.

Introducción. La prevalencia del vegetarianismo aumenta a nivel mundial y no hay consenso acerca de si este tipo de alimentación es adecuado durante el período de crecimiento. Objetivo. Se realizó una revisión descriptiva de la literatura con el objetivo de conocer si los niños e hijos de madres que siguen dietas vegetarianas crecen de manera diferente a los niños con dietas omnívoras. Métodos. Se incluyen 25 artículos publicados entre los años 1995-2020, que describen el crecimiento prenatal, postnatal y desarrollo puberal en niños vegetarianos e hijos de madres vegetarianas. Conclusión. La escasez de estudios longitudinales y resultados en el largo plazo, la heterogeneidad en la clasificación y el registro de las dietas, además de deficiencias metodológicas, no permiten concluir que el crecimiento de estos niños sea diferente al de los niños que siguen dietas omnívoras. Se requieren estudios longitudinales en el largo plazo para contribuir a dirimir esta controversia.

Aquafaba proveniente da cocção do grão-de-bico (CicerarietinumL): características químicas, padronização do uso e aplicação culinária / Aquafaba obtained from chickpea cooking: Chemical characterization, standardization of use and viability in a recipe

Introdução: A aquafaba, proveniente da cocção do grão-de-bico (CicerarietinumL.), pode ser uma alternativa interessante para formação de espuma, sendo um ingrediente vegetal capaz de conferir características físico-químicas e sensoriais agradáveis a preparações culinárias veganas. Objetivo: Padronizar o processo de obtenção da aquafaba caseira visando aplicação em preparação culinária vegana. Material e Métodos: Após remolho dos grãos, foram utilizadas diferentes proporções de grão e água (v:v) durante o cozimento, totalizando seis experimentos. As amostras de aquafaba caseira foram analisadas quanto à capacidade de formação e estabilidade de espuma e os resultados foram comparados à clara de ovo, visando escolher a melhor proporção grão:água para desenvolvimento de uma mousse de chocolate vegana. As amostras de mousse padrão (clara de ovo) e vegana (aquafaba) foram submetidas ao teste de aceitação utilizando escala hedônica de nove pontos (n = 95 provadores não treinados). Resultados: A espuma da clara de ovo apresentou menor estabilidade (p<0,05), sendo que a aquafaba obtida a partir da proporção 2:3 formou espuma em menor tempo comparado aos demais experimentos. Essa mesma amostra não apresentou diferença significativa na formação e estabilidade de espuma em relação às demais, sendo então utilizada para elaborar a mousse vegana, a qual não diferiu quanto ao sabor (p>0,05) e apresentou melhores médias dos demais atributos avaliados, comparada à mousse padrão (p<0,05). Conclusão: A aquafaba caseira de grão-de-bico (Cicerarietinum L.), 2:3 (grão:água v/v) mostrou boa viabilidade para aplicação culinária em mousse vegana.

Introduction: Aquafaba is a by-product of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) that may represent an interesting alternative forproviding foam formation,at the same time as beinga vegetal ingredient that has pleasant physicochemical and sensory characteristics in culinary vegan recipes. Objective:Standardize the homemade process to obtain aquafaba, with the aim of using it invegan recipes. Material and Methods: After soaking chickpeas overnight, different proportions of chickpea and water (v/v) were used during the cooking process, in six experiments. The homemade aquafaba samples were analyzed with regard to foam formation and stability, and the results were compared to those of egg white, in order to determine the best proportion of grain:waterfor developing a vegan chocolate mousse. The samples of standard (egg white) and vegan (aquafaba) mousse went through an acceptability test using a 9-point structured hedonic scale (n= 95 untrained tasters). Results: The foam obtained from egg white presentedlower stability (p<0.05), while the aquafaba obtained from a 2:3 grain:water proportion formed foam more quickly, when compared to that obtained from other experiments. This same sample did not present any significant difference in foam formation and stability, compared to the other samples and was selected for the vegan mousse preparation, which did not differ in terms of flavor (p>0.05) and presented better means in the other features evaluated, when compared to standard mousse (p<0.05). Conclusion: The homemade chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) aquafaba obtained from a 2:3 proportion of grain:water(v/v) presented viability for culinary application in vegan mousse.