Vegetarians?

boneslvr

So i just got a positive last night! i haven't been to the doctor yet (they are closed today...OF COURSE) so i'm not sure about my diet. I became a vegetarian about 6 months ago, i still eat fish though. I am obsessed with Tuna, I eat it every day for lunch....can I still have my tuna sandwhich today? Also - is anyone else a vegetarian? I want to make sure i'm eating the right things!

RoseMM

I don't know about tuna, but I've been a vegetarian for 20 years and my doctor was very supportive about being a pregnant (and nursing) vegetarian. Just make sure you are getting enough protein - your doctor might recommend protein shakes to supplement you! Also, they'll probably monitor your iron levels, so make sure that your prenatal has iron in it. Good luck! 

princesscm99

I'm a vegetarian and my doctors have had no problem with it, however my RE advised me to avoid canned tuna completely (I don't eat it, so I wasn't worried), because he said new studies showed that canned tuna contained more mercury than they said it did.

I think if you're eating chunk light tuna occasionally it's not a big deal, but that's just me.

If you're talking fresh tuna you can still have it once a week or so as long as it's cooked thru.

Normally I eat a lot of yogurt, lentils, quinoa, protein shakes, beans, and dairy to get protein so I really don't plan on changing anything.

Good luck!

princesscm99

Wow - I just re-read this, and that's a whole lot of tuna.  Definitely do NOT eat tuna every day, pregnant or not. 

J05Boiler

I am not a solid vegetarian but I don't eat much meat at all. I do eat several kinds of seafood though. I haven't talked to the Dr. about this yet so I'm not sure what they'll say. I am curious myself how to make sure I get all the nutrients I/baby need.

utlawgirl

I'm a vegetarian, too -- have been for about a year now.  So far, so good, but I have been craving fish off and on lately, so I may cave soon...  Just make sure you get enough iron and protein (which can be a challenge in the first trimester for omnis too, due to m/s).

Canned tuna is okay occasionally, but you definitely shouldn't eat it every day -- too much mercury. 

GrayGhost13

Here's a pretty good article about mercury in fish. (It's not as simple as yes or no; it matters what kind of tuna and how often you eat it.)

https://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/fishmercury.htm

As far as being a vegetarian, that's not really a problem. (I'm not officially a vegetarian, but I eat meat very rarely). Just make sure you're taking your PNVs and getting enough protein from non-meat sources.

ThePreggerLady

Congrats!!!! I have been a vegetarian for over two and half years now and my dr was not worried about my diet.  I do not eat fish though (never ate it much anyway when I was a meat-eater.)  Ask your Dr about your diet - they might reccomend eating more leafy greens and less fish, etc.... or I've heard even some taking an extra B12 or iron supplement because of their diet lacking in those,but ask your dr! You'll have lots of blood drawn too to make sure you doing good in your levels!

Mrs2DUCKSinLOVE

I've been a vegetarian for 9 years and my Dr is not worried. Just let your doctor know what questions you have regarding your diet and he/she will inform you want what limits you should make. Happy pregnancy!

vegandy

FYI, if you eat fish....you aren't a vegetarian.  As long as your  diet is balanced you're fine.  I was raised vegetarian and have been vegan 7 years and that didn't change with pregnancy.  I have no idea about tuna, but if you're concerned about your diet see a nutritionist.