Pregnant and Vegan?

joemunson · September 2015

I wanted to see if there were any other pregnant vegan/vegetarian moms. We've already (total coincidence) gotten some people sending is articles about how veganism isn't good for babies, even though most medical professionals believe it's fine!
Please no hate on this thread. But definitely post here when you get that "well you're going to start drinking milk now, right?!"

lalala2004 · September 2015

Personally, I do see how it would be very difficult to get a well balanced diet while vegan without eating processed foods, which I find to be no better.

However, the person to discuss this with is your doctor, unless someone here is a nutritionist...

saladflambe · September 2015

I was vegetarian for a year and a half...vegan for 3 months, went back to vegetarian...I broke my vegetarianism and added seafood back into my diet as of 2 days ago. So, I guess that makes me pescetarian right now. I haven't decided if I'm adding other meat back into my diet yet. I think it's totally doable to have a healthy vegan pregnancy if you know what you're doing. I wasn't very good at being a healthy vegan. I did much better as a vegetarian.

joemunson · September 2015

lalala2004 said:
Personally, I do see how it would be very difficult to get a well balanced diet while vegan without eating processed foods, which I find to be no better.

However, the person to discuss this with is your doctor, unless someone here is a nutritionist...

I totally agree that processed foods aren't good, and I think that's what most people assume I eat- lots of boca burgers and fake chicken nuggets but (besides one binge eating of fake nuggets I attribute to the baby) I eat almost exclusively non processed and just recently started eating only raw foods at breakfast. In addition, my prenatal is raw vegan and the nutrients come from plants rather than chemicals.
I wasn't looking for someone to tell me being vegan was safe for me and my baby and I'm sorry if that was confusing. I know being vegan is the best choice for me and my baby, I was trying to create a safe space for alternate diet moms to express their feelings/frustrations/excitements.
That said, to my vegan/veg/pescararian moms- as someone who suffered HG last time I was pregnant (and not vegan) I've found eating a slightly cold banana every morning really helps my morning sickness be manageable.

saladflambe · September 2015

My biggest craving is Whole Foods vegan general tso's nuggets.... so, not gonna lie, I'm a processed food junkie. Although I've been doing well having at least one whole-food plant-based meal most days. I'm in love with Hungry Root.

mlexxxaaa · September 2015

If you have been able to maintain a healthy body thus far in your life, your baby should be as well! It'll be a lot more difficult once the baby needs to start to incorporate foods into their diet which almost always have dairy, but you should be able to make your own with a baby bullet no problem! You only need about 300 extra calories a day for baby and if you're healthy enough to get pregnant, you should be healthy enough to carry baby!! I just hope that you don't skimp on the prenatal vitamins because if you don't get that boost of iron, protein, and dairy through your vitamins; your teeth are going to KILL you with pain! Best of love veggie girl!

joemunson · September 2015

So true!! I try to focus on my calcium and iron intake because I know those are the big two my baby needs to be strong and healthy.
My husband and I have been talking for years about making our own baby food using a masticating juicer but it was prohibitively expensive! I'll check out the baby bullet, thanks!!

kmalls · September 2015

Off-topic, but making your own baby food is ridiculously easy! We just have a fairly generic food processor (Vitamix) and it's perfect. Steam veggies or boil and blanch fruit, purée in the food processor and you're done! Definitely don't need anything fancy.

shannonandy · September 2015

I'm a vegetarian. Non Veggies love to tell us we can't get enough nutrients and my guess is with pregnancy it will be worse! I downloaded the "The Green Pregnancy Diet@ and "your vegetarian pregnancy" and found both really helpful!

landonrae · September 2015

I'm vegan! (About 60% raw, never any processed foods) I've been very careful and worked closely with my OB and the nutritionists to make sure things are good, and they are! So happy this thread is here. Looking for support.

hippygipsy · September 2015

I'm a vegetarian, mostly vegan lady too! My bf's mom gave us a juicer so we made some awesome apple, lemon, ginger, spinach juice this past weekend! I love being a vegetarian and we will be raising our babe as such. Thanks for creating the board!!

vinerie · September 2015

I wish I had the willpower to eat vegan. But the cheese! Seriously, though, I think it's the most healthy way to live. Plant-based diets, y'all. We do a lot of various kale salads and vegetable soups ourselves; I suspect the hardest part of vegan/vegetarian while pregnant is getting the necessary protein. I've *read* that one is supposed to eat more protein while pregnant. What "more" is, I don't know. Good luck to you!

SaraJan2014 · September 2015

My sister has been vegan for many many years and just had a health baby boy in July. She added cruelty free eggs to her diet for pregnancy, watched her processed (soy) intake and even twice had frozen yogurt because she had a craving for it and figured it meant she needed the calcium. She never ate any meat and is being back to full vegan now but definitely did her best to be a little more flexible about it for the pregnancy.

vinerie · September 2015

I'm not vegan myself, but any vegans on here have some go-to, easy-but-tasty recipes you want to share? I made a vegan vegetable curry the other night that was really yummy and I'm always looking for more ways to cook with vegetables.

Sharra13 · September 2015

My sister is Vegan and recently had a baby. To be honest, we were all very worried about her during the pregnancy. She lost A LOT of weight during pregnancy and it was a little scary looking (she was skinny before, but looked more like Bella in the last Twilight movie near the end). She even added cruelty free eggs (from my grandma's home) to her diet to help. Luckily, she and the baby now seem to be healthy and my sister gained a little of her "normal" weight back.

Just be very careful and really watch what you eat. Add any cruelty free stuff you can to get those extra calories.

joemunson · September 2015

vinerie said:
I'm not vegan myself, but any vegans on here have some go-to, easy-but-tasty recipes you want to share? I made a vegan vegetable curry the other night that was really yummy and I'm always looking for more ways to cook with vegetables.

One way I add veggies is to put them into my spaghetti sauce- the easiest way is to throw in frozen veggies right into a pan, pour the sauce on top and let it cook away. So good!

@Sharra13 I'm sorry about your sister! Sounds like she wasn't watching her carb intake! Thankfully that's not my position, nor the position of many healthy vegans.
Some people mentioned calcium- when I want calcium I drink some fortified plant milk or have a handful of almonds, which technically have more calcium than milk, don't leech calcium from my bones and aren't breast milk intended for baby cows.

Sharra13 · September 2015

That spaghetti sauce trick sounds really yummy...

pixie253622 · September 2015

I am not Vegan but I have read a great book about eating vegan while pregnant. It is from the Skinny Bitch line. Goes over how to meet all nutritional needs and still eat vegan. I picked it up at B&N.

babymackey · September 2015

There is nothing wrong with staying vegan through your pregnancy don't let anybody make you feel like you're depriving your baby! I'm not vegan but admire those who are! Check out the book 'kind mama.' AWESOME read for all expecting moms but has a huge section on going vegan!! Highly recommend it!!!

joemunson · September 2015

babymackey said:
There is nothing wrong with staying vegan through your pregnancy don't let anybody make you feel like you're depriving your baby! I'm not vegan but admire those who are! Check out the book 'kind mama.' AWESOME read for all expecting moms but has a huge section on going vegan!! Highly recommend it!!!

READ IT IN ONE NIGHT!!! That book is totally in line with my mama values. I might not get to be a perfect crunchy mom but I'm sure gunna try!

MsIan · September 2015

joemunson said:

lalala2004 said:
Personally, I do see how it would be very difficult to get a well balanced diet while vegan without eating processed foods, which I find to be no better.

However, the person to discuss this with is your doctor, unless someone here is a nutritionist...
I totally agree that processed foods aren't good, and I think that's what most people assume I eat- lots of boca burgers and fake chicken nuggets but (besides one binge eating of fake nuggets I attribute to the baby) I eat almost exclusively non processed and just recently started eating only raw foods at breakfast. In addition, my prenatal is raw vegan and the nutrients come from plants rather than chemicals.
I wasn't looking for someone to tell me being vegan was safe for me and my baby and I'm sorry if that was confusing. I know being vegan is the best choice for me and my baby, I was trying to create a safe space for alternate diet moms to express their feelings/frustrations/excitements.
That said, to my vegan/veg/pescararian moms- as someone who suffered HG last time I was pregnant (and not vegan) I've found eating a slightly cold banana every morning really helps my morning sickness be manageable.

Do you think it's the lack of protein that's making me nauseous? I have horrible morning (all day sickness). I'm pescatarian, but it's been weeks, at least since I've had seafood. I was going to start my protein shakes again.

joemunson · September 2015

MsIan said:

joemunson said:

lalala2004 said:
Personally, I do see how it would be very difficult to get a well balanced diet while vegan without eating processed foods, which I find to be no better.

However, the person to discuss this with is your doctor, unless someone here is a nutritionist...
I totally agree that processed foods aren't good, and I think that's what most people assume I eat- lots of boca burgers and fake chicken nuggets but (besides one binge eating of fake nuggets I attribute to the baby) I eat almost exclusively non processed and just recently started eating only raw foods at breakfast. In addition, my prenatal is raw vegan and the nutrients come from plants rather than chemicals.
I wasn't looking for someone to tell me being vegan was safe for me and my baby and I'm sorry if that was confusing. I know being vegan is the best choice for me and my baby, I was trying to create a safe space for alternate diet moms to express their feelings/frustrations/excitements.
That said, to my vegan/veg/pescararian moms- as someone who suffered HG last time I was pregnant (and not vegan) I've found eating a slightly cold banana every morning really helps my morning sickness be manageable.
Do you think it's the lack of protein that's making me nauseous? I have horrible morning (all day sickness). I'm pescatarian, but it's been weeks, at least since I've had seafood. I was going to start my protein shakes again.

I get really bad morning sickness and I feel way better when I eat carbs. Carbs digest slowly so they stay in your belly for awhile and they break down into sugars you need to do stuff like think and be. I'm convinced the reason we feel sick in the mornings is because our bellies are empty and our blood sugar is low. Ever forget to eat and feel sick? When you're feeling sick try and piece of toast or cereal- fills your belly and gives you the necessary energy to make it through the afternoon!

Want a personalized experience?

Pregnant and Vegan?

Re: Pregnant and Vegan?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards