The Sydney-based chef told women trying to 'reproduce' not to be vegan

Controversial Paleo chef Pete Evans has come under fire again after telling women trying to have children they shouldn't follow a vegan diet.

The TV personality, who lives in Sydney's eastern suburbs, told fans on Facebook not to follow the diet if they are 'trying to reproduce'.

Vegan mothers spoke out to urge caution over his claims, fuming he should not be giving advice on the matter because he is not a health professional.

Despite their fury, the 43-year-old maintained his position on Tuesday, telling Daily Mail Australia 'the most sensible approach' to pregnancy was a diet filled with animal fats and protein.

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Celebrity Paleo chef Pete Evans (above with his wife Nicola Robinson) has been slammed for advising women who are trying to get pregnant not to follow a vegan diet

The row comes after he was told to answer to skin cancer survivors who lambasted him for saying sunscreen was 'poisonous'.

The My Kitchens Rules star had warned fans against using conventional sunscreen which he said was full of 'chemicals' and promoted an unregulated zinc-based product on Facebook.

His comments towards veganism were given in a later post.

They were dismissed by mothers who shared photographs of their healthy children to prove him wrong on Tuesday.

Hayley Bray, who lives in Darwin, NT and welcomed her first child earlier this year, said she had never been told by doctors to abandon her vegan diet throughout her pregnancy.

'I disagree with his comments as I successfully conceived on my first try and delivered a healthy baby girl whilst being fully vegan.

'Also contrary to what Pete says, both my GP and obstetrician were extremely supportive of my lifestyle throughout the entire pregnancy and birth.

'Not once did they ever feel it necessary for me to consume any animal products,' the 23-year-old told Daily Mail Australia.

She urged other mothers to carry out their own research, also describing Evans's comments as 'dangerous'.

Hayley Bray, who gave birth to daughter Bodhi six months ago, said she would be hesitant to take the celebrity's advice 'on anything' and said it was 'dangerous' to do so without carrying out your own research

The 43-year-old was asked for his opinion of the vegan diet and gave the above response to fans on Facebook

'When it comes to diet and pregnancy you must do your own research and plan it well, no matter what diet or lifestyle you choose to follow.

'It is dangerous in any circumstance to follow his advice without doing your own research, vegan or not.

'He has been under fire before regarding his dangerous advice to feed infants a DIY "bone broth" baby formula, I would be hesitant to take his advice on anything.'

Health experts warned the public not to heed the 43-year-old's advice without doing their own research.

'The guy is dangerous. Pete Evans is a cook, he is not an anthropologist,' Robyn Chuter of Empower Total Health told Daily Mail Australia.

She added fans should not follow his advice based on his celebrity, insisting he was not qualified to speak about pre-natal care or pregnancy.

'He knows nothing about biology or human development but people take his advice.

'He is not a health professional, it's a phenomenon of the internet age where someone can get a huge following online.

'He is not qualified to address that subject.'

Grace Love, who has two children, said it was healthy to follow a vegan diet during pregnancy and even claimed it could lower the risk of complications.

IS IT SAFE TO FOLLOW A VEGAN DIET DURING PREGNANCY? The Australian Department of Health advises women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should follow a balanced diet of the five main food groups which include meat, fish and dairy. Those who do wish to follow a vegan diet however can find nutrients normally found in non-vegan foods in other sources. The Queensland Government suggests women increase their protein intake through nuts and seeds. Iron, which is vital to pregnancy and infant health and is rich in red meat, can be supplemented by lentils, peas and dark green vegetables. Evans suggests there is evidence to show animal fats and proteins, which cannot be supplemented, are healthy for expectant mothers and should be included in the diets of pregnant women. Associate Professor Mark Bowman, the Medical Director of Sydney-based fertility group Genea, said women needed a number of supplements during pregnancy but that these could be consumed even while following a vegan diet. 'If someone was on a vegan diet it would be challenging but not undoable,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Advertisement

'I have been vegan many years and have 2 beautiful children, both born at home.

'They are bright children, full of energy. All children are born vegan until we put something that is not into their mouth.'

Evans maintained his position on Tuesday, pointing to studies and articles which claimed animal fats and proteins were healthy for pregnant women.

Citing research carried out by German scientists, he said: 'The most sensible approach would be to include animal fat and protein as well as vegetables in the diet, rather than eliminating all animal protein and fats, especially when planning to bring the coming generations into this world to give them the best chance of a healthy start to life.

'It would seem it would be dangerous to not include well sourced animal fat and protein and vegetables of course into someone's diet who was pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.'

Associate Professor Mark Bowman, the Medical Director of Genea Fertility, a Sydney-based fertility specislist group, said while vegan mothers might be challenged to find all the nutrients they need during pregnancy, it was 'doable'.

'There are a set amount of proteins and nutrients you would need for a healthy pregnancy.

'Some are hard to get including Folic Acid. If someone was on a vegan diet it would be challenging but not undoable.'

He added women were best advised to ask their doctor for advice if concerned.

'Obstetricians, doctors and gynaecologists, know what supplements women need during pregnancy.'

On Monday Evans attempted to justify his remarks about sunscreen after being bombarded by angry skin cancer survivors on social media.

Appearing on 2DayFM's Rove & Sam for breakfast, he said he had merely been trying to 'share the truth' and was not telling fans not to wear any protection, but simply choose the right one.

'I'm not trying to make a point, I'm just trying to share the truth,' he insisted.

In a Facebook post he told a fan who asked him which sunscreen he used: 'Generally nothing as I keep an all over tan all year and don't stay out for super long periods in the sun.

The 43-year-old sparked fury earlier this week after telling fans to avoid using 'poisonous' popular sunscreen

Evans (above with his wife Nicola Robinson) said he used an unregulated natural product when he was in the sun

Skin cancer survivors, including ABC presenter Mark Colvin (above) shared photographs of their scars in response to his comments about sunscreen

'When I go surfing like I did this morning in Fiji when I was in the sun for four hours then I use a product called surfmud which is as good as it gets for shielding from the sun.

'The silly thing is people put on normal chemical sunscreen then lay out in the sun for hours on end and think they are safe because they have covered themselves in poisonous chemicals which is a recipe for disaster.

'The goal is always never to burn yourself.'

Last year Evans prompted outcry with his recipe for a bone marrow broth for babies.

The father-of-two said there had been no evidence to suggest the recipe was harmful to children but despite experts' claims it had the potential to kill a baby or young child.

It contained ten times the daily recommended intake of Vitamin A but, said experts, lacked other key nutrients that are vital to a child's growth.

Runny eggs and added salt in other recipes also attracted criticism. Evans has two daughters from his first marriage.

He recently wed former glamour model Nicola Robinson.