vegetarian/vegan diet during pregnancy

[BibaKaur]

When you follow a strict meat-free and egg-free diet, you get many questions as to how do you meet your protein and iron needs during pregnancy. I would like to share a resource that explains what we might seem to be missing in our diet and how to compensate for it.

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/veganpregnancy.php

please share more resources that you think are helpful!

[jkvlondon]

if you can try to think in terms of maximum nutrition for each mouthful rather than empty calories , because it is so easy to gain weight because you are not satisfying your nutritional needs , you will keep feeling 'hungry' until you hit the right mineral vitamin combo . I personally used to avoid caffeine as it made morning sickness worse that included chocolate . Avocados , coconut , walnuts , almonds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds and a daily brazil nut give vital fats , if you want to get more omega3 and proteins take chia seeds daily  added to drinks such as lemon ginger water in the mornings or a fresh fruit/greens smoothie. 

[jkvlondon]

another tip in the first trimester you will find your body doesn't like raw greens as these have substances which are not so good for the baby and you, so lightly steam or stir fry these and remember to rotate your grains  and greens/veg to ensure a good coverage of micronutrients . Drink lots of water to help take the strain off your kidneys and liver.

[BibaKaur]

On August 5, 2016 at 4:02 AM, jkvlondon said:

another tip in the first trimester you will find your body doesn't like raw greens as these have substances which are not so good for the baby and you, so lightly steam or stir fry these and remember to rotate your grains  and greens/veg to ensure a good coverage of micronutrients . Drink lots of water to help take the strain off your kidneys and liver.

Great point about the raw greens. I actually never knew that. Such are the little helpful things you come to know when you get advice from others!

in the first trimester everything is so messed up with the body that it is hard to decide what is good and what is bad for you. It is always helpful to do a little research and get advice from those who have similar experience. 

[jkvlondon]

When I had my daughter I was raw vegan so I learnt through experience of gestational diabetes and pure control (totally perfect) of blood sugar through diet I still haven't developed type 2 though the stats say 60% of GD sufferers will get it within two years , Isher Kaur is  8 years old so eat clean and keep off insulin is my tip . Before that I had twins so I really had to think hard about nutrition cos of the lack of space on board that's when i first ate extra loads of healthy fruit and veg , including healthy naturally unprocessed fats despite their two month early arrival (32 weeks on borderline for lung development)  they came home within three weeks only needed to fatten up. Now they are 6 foot 1 giants so something must be good with the diet . Another thing that's great, if you eat lots of different fruit and veg your kids will remember the tastes and not be fussy .My lot fight if I don't put enough green veg in front of them , love their dhals and beans (I must say it made me wonder if I just had freakily good luck cos everyone else complained their kids don't like fruit and veg) .