Vegan Pregnancy?

MrsMoody2006 · August 2012

Anybody else out there eat a vegan diet? I've been eating vegan for about 15 months now, and plan to continue throughout pregnancy and BFing as well.

LiteraryFoodie · August 2012

I'm not vegan, but some of my close friends are and I know that she stayed vegan throughout her pregnancy and they now raise their daughter as a vegan. However, she had been vegan for almost a decade before she became pregnant so her body was very used to eating that way (though I don't know if that's relevant in your case).

Just make sure you find a practitioner for your pregnancy (OB or MW) that is educated on veganism and vegan nutrition for pregnancy. I'd also keep an eye out for a family practitioner or pediatrician who was like-minded. It also might help to consult with a nutritionist in addition to your OB or MW for additional information to make sure that you're accurately accommodating for the additional needs of particular nutrients that are often found in animals--mostly omega 3s and B12 (I think, I know it's one of the B vitamins). There are plant based supplements for omega 3s, but the body doesn't absorb them at the same rate it does from fish, eggs, or meat.

While, Nina Planck doesn't advocate for a vegan diet (she was one and then converted to a traditional/real/WAP diet), the information she gives in her book, Real Food for Mother and Baby, is a really thorough breakdown of which nutrients you need when throughout your pregnancy and different ways to get them (food, supplements, plant based, animal based).

From lurking on a few other boards, I've also seen vegan/vegetarian moms suggest to newly pregnant vegans not to be too hard on themselves and to grant themselves a little grace if they have a craving for something non-vegan.

Also, if it turns out that you do need to add animal products back into your diet, take heart in the fact that there are ethical ways to do this (buying local, pastured meat, local pastured eggs, kerrygold butter, wild caught fish.) Sometimes these resources are a bit harder to find (and more expensive) but they are out there :-)

Chocodoxies · August 2012

Hey vegan mommy! I have been vegan for three years. This pregnancy I was craving eggs, so I have gone veggie for that reason (it was not necessary but rather a choice I made). Being a vegan is a really healthy way to live your pregnancy! I am a member of thekindlife.com and though Alicia can been seen as a bit out there in the media, she is really so supportive and the community is filled with wonderfully caring and compassionate people who are there to help you through every step of your life. Whether you choose to be a full vegan during your pregnancy, or try some vegetarian options (they are not crazy vegan nutjobs who freak if you admit to eating outside the organic/vegan way), the community is a great source of info (recipes, insight, ideas, helpful hints, etc). If you need someone to chat with or just are looking for a fellow pregnant lady, feel free to pm me any time!

My doctor is very supportive of my diet, even admitting that I am a bit healthier on my test results than she herself is. She admitted that she wouldn't mind if I added cheese back into my diet, but didn't push it since she also admitted that a solid vegan diet was the healthiest choice. All in all, I have found that the least supportive people have been those that are not informed enough with regard to dietary needs, ie. family members and friends of friends. Best of luck to you, and like I said, if you need a friend in the vegan/veggie arena let me know!

Congratulations on your little one!

hoku82 · August 2012

I've been vegan about the same amount of time as you. I plan to continue eating a vegan diet. I saw a dietician right before I got pregnant who agreed I could have a healthy pregnancy and continue in a vegan lifestyle. I'm a little more than 9 weeks pregnant now and had my bloodwork done last week. I was told all my tests looked good and I was not anemic. I eat chia seeds in a lof of things (oatmeal, cereal, etc) which have a lot of omega 3s and other nutrients. My prenatal vitamin has a good amount of iron and B vitamins and all the other stuff we need (folic acid, etc) which is good back up for those days I have ms and don't feel like eating much variety....but I think I can usually get most of the nutrients I need just eating a good combination of healthy foods. I haven't had any cravings for any animal products so far.

I would recommend the book Skinny B*itch-Bun in the Oven. It is hilarous and they they endorse and highly recommend a vegan diet as well.

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