I don't eat meat, dairy and I am get a lot of grief from my siblings that I'm not eating enough protein simply because I refuse to eat meat. They have never heard of a woman being vegetarian and pregnant, those two don't go together in their eyes. Please post your success stories, I would love some reassurances that I am doing the right thing. Also tell me what were your favorite sources of protein during pregnancy? Thank you so much.
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I think you just have to be careful to make sure you get enough protein from non-meat sources (eggs, beans, tofu, etc) and calcium from non-dairy sources as well. It doesn't matter how you get the nutrients, just that you do get them.
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I certainly think its possible, but probably takes a lot of planning. Maybe you could make an appointment with a nutritionist to help you come up with good alternatives to be sure the baby is getting the nutrients it needs.
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Are you vegan? What did your doctor say?
Also, a lot of foods are protein fortified, like some frozen bagels, who knew!
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I certainly think it's possible. Heck, I'm not a vegetarian and all I could stomach were veggies and carbs in the first half of pregnancy. I think you'll need to come up with a meal plan, but def no need to change your eating to include meat or dairy.
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Like @mrsjyw: I had and mostly still have a total meat aversion during pregnancy. I ate lots of nuts and eggs. I think you'll be fine.
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I've been mostly vegetarian for nearly two decades. I do eat fish occasionally (once a week or less) and I eat dairy. I had a picture perfect pregnancy and a healthy LO.
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I don't get enough protein as a meat eater and I drink a small protein shake in the mornings and try to eat a lot of beans and eggs.
I also have heard that you get more calcium out of soy milk or almond milk than cows milk, so drink lots of that!
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I have a friend who was a vegetarian and had a very successful TWIN pregnancy (which requires a lot more protein intake than a singleton). It's certainly more than doable, I would just do a little research to make sure you're getting what your body needs!
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Its totally possible! You could download an app like My Fitness Pal to make sure you're getting enough protein and calcium, but you can derive a lot of it from non-meat sources like the ones the other posters have mentioned. One of my good friends is a vegan and is currently 36 weeks into a healthy pregnancy!
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It's possible! I know my midwife sees lots of vegetarians. I think @Arden is a vegetarian and she just had her healthy baby girl.
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i KNOW it's possible! i just took my lamaze class and one of the "mom to be"s was a vegan and she was at 35 weeks & baby was healthy! good luck! wish i could give you some better advice!
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I agree...I think it's totally possible! Just make sure you're getting enough protein rich foods like almonds or other types of nuts. I think @MamaMoose's suggestion on seeing a nutritionist would help a ton!
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I'm a vegetarian and have a happy healthy baby boy.
My SO is a meat eater and when we were getting together, he asked if I would continue to be vegetarian if I got pregnant. I told him that I would do whatever was best for my baby while still taking my beliefs into account.At my first prenatal appointment I discussed with my doctor and he had no issue with it, as long as I took vitamins.
During the first trimester, I could only stomach potatoes. Once I started feeling less sick I ate beans every day. Quinoa is also a good source of protein.
I took the rainbow light prenatals.
You can do it!
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Ooh yes. Almonds. I ate a lot of almonds.
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I was vegetarian for many years before I became pregnant with DS and I was told at every prenatal appointment that there was no need for me to eat meat during my pregnancy, however I wanted to (I guess it was a craving) and I ended up eating some meat. The entire time I nursed DS though I was strictly vegan with quinoa being our only protein due to his food allergies.
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I had a successful vegetarian pregnancy and a healthy baby boy. I did eat dairy but not much. I would add a smoothie in on most days with almond milk, banana, spinach, and vegan protein powder. Other than that I didn't think about my diet a whole lot. I just tried to eat a varied diet. I didn't track protein or anything like that.
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Oh sure, it's absolutely possible! Honestly, it's not even hard.
I'm a long time vegetarian and I just gave birth three weeks ago to a healthy (and big!) baby girl.
I ate plenty of beans and quinoa for protein and greens, sweet potatoes, etc for iron. My hemoglobin was stellar all through pregnancy and after, even after losing a lot of blood at the birth.
If you eat a balanced and healthy diet (not all vegetarians I know eat healthfully!), you and baby will be just fine.
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Both DH and I are vegetarians.
Honestly, I had some food aversions where all I could stomach was pasta, crackers and bread for weeks. I carried to 40 weeks and DS was a healthy 8lbs 2oz - big for me!
We're raising DS a vegetarian and he just had his one year blood test and everything is perfect. -
YOU GUYS ROCK!!!
I love this blog!
I feel so much relief hearing your comments!
God bless! -
@dallasgirl: The protein in non-animal products is actually more absorbable by our bodies. I've been a vegetarian for years and years, and the protein questions make me crazy. If you google foods that are high in protein, you'll find a ton. Also, as a vegetarian, you're likely eating way more folate and other vitamins than meat eaters. One of my besties is vegan, and she's 29 weeks into a beautiful pregnancy. Good luck!
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You've already gotten a ton of great comments, but I wanted to let you know that it's definitely possible. I gave birth to a totally healthy 10 lb baby while on a vegetarian diet. I really didn't plan much, either. I think it helps that we eat pretty well-rounded anyways.
My FIL is 87 and has a small Angus cattle farm (and has farmed his whole life). He doesn't understand why DH and I are both veg, but doesn't question it anymore! Good luck!
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I'm vegetarian too and have been thinking about this a lot since we're ttc! I've been reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and there's a lot in there about how to eat most healthily, including a whole section about being a pregnant vegetarian that's really informative!
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My Twinner did this and had a super healthy, perfect baby! Not the dairy part though- she's a vegetarian. I think like many have said it's about eating healthy and getting all the protein, calcium, etc. I don't think it would hurt to consult with your doctor and possibly a nutritionist/dietician to make sure there's nothing you should be adding or avoiding.
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I'm not a vegetarian, but entire cultures are vegetarian and they have babies. Of course it's possible. I have a vegetarian friend who had twins!
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I am a vegetarian and am currently pregnant. I have been a vegetarian most of my life. My doc has concerns pending I continue to take my vitamins. She is going to follow my by checking my hemoglobin to ensure I have enough iron. She is more concerned over iron then protein. I do eat dairy and usually eggs but they have not been my friend since getting pregnant!! I am also allergic to nuts so I can't get my protein that way, which is why diary is important for me!
Do you eat nuts? Tofu? Legumes ? Have you seen a nutritionist before? I saw one a few years ago and she was very helpful and informative. I took DH with me so that he could learn as well. She might give you other ideas and options to ensure you get what you need! -
Peas, rice, quinoa, beans, lentils, eggs, hemp, soy!
Quinoa, eggs, hemp are complete proteins!
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A close friend of mine from high school is a vegan and is about a million times healthier than me! I'm seriously amazed by the food photos he posts on FB, he makes some amazing stuff! I know that he used to work at Whole Foods and got a lot of inspiration there.
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