It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. These diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood, and for athletes.

Jack Norris, Registered Dietitian and Executive Director of Vegan Outreach, has provided us with detailed information about vegan diets for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children. See also his specific vitamin B12 recommendations for different life cycle stages.

​For concise and general nutrient recommendations, please see Vegan Nutrition in Pregnancy and Childhood by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD and Katie Kavanagh-Prochaska, RD.  For more details, The Everything Vegan Pregnancy Book: All that you need to know for a healthy pregnancy that fits your lifestyle by Reed Mangels is a valuable resource.

Dr. Michael Greger provides additional tips for being a healthy vegan during pregnancy here.

​At the other end of the age spectrum, plant-based diets may help prevent age-associated diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and arthritis.

For helpful tips on healthy aging as a vegan, please see Dr. Michael Greger's recommendations for healthy aging, and preventing, treating, and reversing Alzheimer's and cognitive decline.  His new book, How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older, discusses the pathways thought to account for aging, diet and lifestyle recommendations to slow these pathways, how to preserve specific functionalities, and an actionable checklist that highlights specific foods, supplements, and behaviors that offer some of the best opportunities to slow aging and improve longevity.