{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]],"date-time":"2026-07-21T05:04:19Z","timestamp":1784610259088,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]],"date-time":"2026-07-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784592000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Nutr."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Vegan diets during pregnancy are commonly discussed regarding nutritional risks, often without differentiating between heterogeneous vegan populations. Empirical evidence on clearly defined subgroups who maintain a vegan diet throughout pregnancy remains scarce.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study characterized a highly selected subgroup of pregnant women adhering to a vegan diet, focusing on supplement use, information sources, counseling experiences, and perceived risks of micronutrient deficiency and overdosing.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>An explorative, cross-sectional online survey was conducted as part of the Vegan Diet and Dietary Supplements Study (VedieS). The questionnaire was developed from a scientific literature review, pilot-tested, and distributed via vegan, nutrition-related, and health-focused organizations and social media across German-speaking regions. Individuals adhering to a vegan diet (defined as a strictly plant-based diet excluding all animal-derived products) participated. The analysis was restricted to those reporting a vegan diet during at least one pregnancy. Supplement use, information seeking, and counseling adequacy were analyzed descriptively.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>In total, 801 individuals participated. Participants were highly educated and predominantly from urban areas (76.3% tertiary education; 79.6% urban). Adherence during pregnancy was largely consistent (90.5%), and supplement use was nearly universal (99.1%) with high compliance (79.1%), targeting micronutrients critical in vegan pregnancies, including vitamin B12 (77.8%), omega-3 fatty acids (76.9%), folic acid (73.8%), and vitamin D (67.8%). Scientific literature, self-identified by participants, was the primary information source (80.3%), whereas professional counseling was less frequent and often perceived as insufficient. Although 74.7% informed their gynecologist, only 16.1% reported comprehensive counseling. Despite high motivation and self-directed information seeking, considerable uncertainty persisted regarding micronutrient dosage, particularly overdosing, with 40.4% perceiving dosage guidance as insufficient. External influences, including the social environment (46.3%) and physicians (34.2%), were relevant sources of uncertainty.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Rather than a uniformly high-risk population, pregnant individuals following a vegan diet represent a highly informed and responsible subgroup whose main challenges relate less to dietary behavior than to structural gaps in professional counseling and access to consistent, evidence-based supplementation guidance. These findings underline the public health relevance of expanding nutrition training and counseling capacities among healthcare professionals and the need for clinical research using objective measures of nutritional status in vegan pregnancies.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2026.1866907","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]],"date-time":"2026-07-21T04:20:40Z","timestamp":1784607640000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Highly informed, yet undersupported: dietary supplement use, information sources, and perceived risks among pregnant vegans in German-speaking regions\u2014findings from the VedieS study"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Wolfgang","family":"Huber-Schneider","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna","place":["Vienna, Austria"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Karl-Heinz","family":"Wagner","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna","place":["Vienna, Austria"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ingrid","family":"Kiefer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety GmbH","place":["Vienna, Austria"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"670","DOI":"10.1080\/10408398.2022.2107997","article-title":"Vegan nutrition: a preliminary guide for health professionals","volume":"64","author":"Koeder","year":"2024","journal-title":"Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1266","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jada.2009.05.027","article-title":"Position of the American dietetic association: vegetarian diets","volume":"109","author":"Craig","year":"2009","journal-title":"J Am Diet Assoc"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"617","DOI":"10.1111\/nbu.70029","article-title":"Self-reported adherence to vegetarian and vegan diets, 2021\u20132023","volume":"50","author":"Gimpfl","year":"2025","journal-title":"Nutr Bull"},{"key":"ref4","volume-title":"Ern\u00e4hrungsreport 2025","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1677900","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2025.1677900","article-title":"Prevalence, motivations, lifestyle preferences, and basic demographics of omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans","volume":"12","author":"Wirnitzer","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Nutr"},{"key":"ref6","year":"2018"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-024-07123-5","article-title":"International expert consensus on micronutrient supplement use during the early life course","volume":"25","author":"Cetin","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Pregnancy Childbirth"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"112778","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nut.2025.112778","article-title":"Nutritional supplementation in pregnant, lactating women and young children following a plant-based diet: a narrative review of the evidence","volume":"136","author":"Herrero Jim\u00e9nez","year":"2025","journal-title":"Nutrition"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1098","DOI":"10.20960\/nh.05120","article-title":"Vitamina B12, \u00e1cidos grasos EPA y DHA durante el embarazo y la lactancia en mujeres con alimentaci\u00f3n basada en plantas [Vitamin B12, fatty acids EPA and DHA during pregnancy and lactation in women with a plant-based diet]","volume":"41","author":"Sandoval Leiva","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nutr Hosp"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1970","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jand.2016.09.025","article-title":"Position of the academy of nutrition and dietetics: vegetarian diets","volume":"116","author":"Melina","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Acad Nutr Diet"},{"key":"ref11","first-page":"60","article-title":"Update of the German nutrition society (DGE) position on vegan diet \u2013 position statement of the German nutrition society (DGE)","volume-title":"Ernahr Umsch","author":"Klug","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref12","year":""},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1046","DOI":"10.1111\/aogs.14778","article-title":"Adherence to different forms of plant-based diets and pregnancy outcomes in the Danish National Birth Cohort: a prospective observational study","volume":"103","author":"Hedegaard","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100338","DOI":"10.1016\/j.metop.2024.100338","article-title":"Strict vegetarian diet and pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"25","author":"Papadopoulou","year":"2024","journal-title":"Metabol Open"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3329","DOI":"10.3390\/nu16193329","article-title":"The Association of a Vegan Diet during pregnancy with maternal and child outcomes: a systematic review","volume":"16","author":"Meulenbroeks","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101094","DOI":"10.1016\/j.srhc.2025.101094","article-title":"Veganism during pregnancy: exploring experiences and needs of women following a plant-based diet","volume":"44","author":"Cnossen","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sex Reprod Healthc"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102916","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmedr.2024.102916","article-title":"Obstetric healthcare experiences and information needs of Dutch women in relation to their vegan diet during pregnancy","volume":"48","author":"Meulenbroeks","year":"2024","journal-title":"Prev Med Rep"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e170","DOI":"10.1017\/S1368980024001484","article-title":"Knowledge, attitude and practices of health professionals with regard to plant-based diets in pregnancy: a scoping review","volume":"27","author":"McLeod","year":"2024","journal-title":"Public Health Nutr"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1186\/s40795-025-01100-7","article-title":"Perceived motivators and barriers to consuming a plant-based diet: a qualitative research study","volume":"11","author":"Yang","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Nutr"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1827","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-18227-0","article-title":"The perceived experience of adhering to vegan diet: a qualitative study","volume":"24","author":"Khaledi-Paveh","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e240104","DOI":"10.1590\/1678-9865202538e240104","article-title":"Associated factors in adherence to plant-based diets in university students","volume":"38","author":"Triches","year":"2025","journal-title":"Rev Nutr"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1186\/s41043-024-00534-2","article-title":"Motivations matter: moral and health-related motives indirectly relate to differential psychological health indicators among vegetarians","volume":"43","author":"Dai","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Health Popul Nutr"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1072","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-025-08228-1","article-title":"Sources of dietary recommendations and adherence to clinical guidelines in pregnant women in Germany","volume":"25","author":"Hett","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Pregnancy Childbirth"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1395","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajcnut.2025.04.013","article-title":"Content of selected nutrients and heavy metals in prenatal multivitamins and minerals: an observational study","volume":"121","author":"Borgelt","year":"2025","journal-title":"Am J Clin Nutr"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"121255","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envres.2025.121255","article-title":"Heavy metals and phthalate contamination in prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements","volume":"274","author":"Gardener","year":"2025","journal-title":"Environ Res"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox15010057","article-title":"Dietary supplements in pregnancy and postpartum: evidence, safety challenges and a precision nutrition framework (GAPSS)","volume":"15","author":"Chen","year":"2026","journal-title":"Antioxidants (Basel)"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3632","DOI":"10.3390\/nu16213632","article-title":"Are maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy associated with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus? A systematic review of observational studies","volume":"16","author":"Kyrkou","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.1186\/s40795-024-00949-4","article-title":"Adherence to plant-based diet during pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes: a prospective birth cohort study","volume":"10","author":"Bazshahi","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Nutr"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1155","DOI":"10.1007\/s00404-025-08111-6","article-title":"Knowledge, awareness and recommendation on micronutrition during pregnancy-a survey of healthcare providers","volume":"312","author":"Hentrich","year":"2025","journal-title":"Arch Gynecol Obstet"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1381132","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2024.1381132","article-title":"The knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards a plant-based dietary pattern: a survey of obstetrician-gynecologists","volume":"11","author":"Landry","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Nutr"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e47971","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.47971","article-title":"The effects of vegan diet on fetus and maternal health: a review","volume":"15","author":"Palma","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"204","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jand.2024.08.001","article-title":"Vegetarian diets during pregnancy: with supplementation, Ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, vegan, and Pescatarian adaptations of US Department of Agriculture Food Patterns can be Nutritionally Adequate","volume":"125","author":"Hess","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Acad Nutr Diet"},{"key":"ref33","year":""},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"623","DOI":"10.1097\/AOG.0000000000003657","article-title":"Dietary supplement use and its micronutrient contribution during pregnancy and lactation in the United States","volume":"135","author":"Jun","year":"2020","journal-title":"Obstet Gynecol"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"491","DOI":"10.3390\/nu12020491","article-title":"Vitamin and mineral supplementation during pregnancy on maternal, birth, child health and development outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and Meta-analysis","volume":"12","author":"Oh","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"437","DOI":"10.1017\/S0029665108008732","article-title":"Assessment and interpretation of micronutrient status during pregnancy","volume":"67","author":"Wheeler","year":"2008","journal-title":"Proc Nutr Soc"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"160","DOI":"10.1177\/1753495X18766170","article-title":"Changes in biochemical tests in pregnancy and their clinical significance","volume":"11","author":"Teasdale","year":"2018","journal-title":"Obstet Med"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"107546","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cdnut.2025.107546","article-title":"Micronutrient biomarker selection and assay methods and performance in double-blind, randomized, controlled micronutrient dose response (MiNDR) trials among women of reproductive age and pregnant women in rural Bangladesh","volume":"9","author":"Bandyopadhyay","year":"2025","journal-title":"Curr Dev Nutr"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e13386","DOI":"10.1111\/jhn.13386","article-title":"A cross-sectional survey exploring knowledge, beliefs and barriers to whole food plant-based diets amongst registered dietitians in the United Kingdom and Ireland","volume":"38","author":"Metoudi","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Hum Nutr Diet"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1471","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina59081471","article-title":"Assessing health care providers\u2019 knowledge and practices of nutrition during pregnancy in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study","volume":"59","author":"Rizk","year":"2023","journal-title":"Medicina"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1361","DOI":"10.1002\/cl2.1361","article-title":"Effectiveness of nutrition counseling for pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries to improve maternal and infant behavioral, nutritional, and health outcomes: a systematic review","volume":"19","author":"Dewidar","year":"2023","journal-title":"Campbell Syst Rev"},{"key":"ref42","year":"2022"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Nutrition"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnut.2026.1866907\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]],"date-time":"2026-07-21T04:20:41Z","timestamp":1784607641000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnut.2026.1866907\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]]},"references-count":42,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fnut.2026.1866907"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnut.2026.1866907","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-861X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-861X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]]},"article-number":"1866907"}}