vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

just wondering if there are any other veggie preggos out there. i have been vegan for over 2 years, but now i'm eating some dairy every day to make sure i get everything baby needs.

it'd be nice to chat about veggie pregnancy, or plans to raise kids veg...

anyone else out there? bueller???

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

we do a lot of vegetarian, well i should i am but growing up, i think about 80% of our meals were vegetarian, meaning, meat was never the main entree or the main dish.. so even if it was omitted, it would be a complete meal... that's just how that part of the world worked, so it was the norm. DH, on the other hand grew up with a vegetarian grandma and they rebelled when they went out..

now, i do cook and eat meat.. but we do veggie dishes a lot more often than an average family.. so i hope our kids will follow suit..

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

Before a few months ago I hadn't eaten meat in about 3 years. I do eat fish and dairy though. This pregnancy has me wanting chicken and the other day I had a few small bites of lamb chop. I don't eat a lot of chicken, just a little bit once in a while. When the baby comes I plan to not eat meat at all.

I'm not sure what I plan to do with my kids though, regarding whether or not I'll give them meat. I probably won't give them a lot of meat but I'm sure my family will HOUND me about not giving them meat at all. DH does eat meat and I occasionally cook meat for him.

It's SUPER annoying how people start monitoring what you eat because you're pregnant.

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

I'm not vegetarian, but this pregnancy has me wanting vegetarian foods. Except for the occasional chicken craving, I prefer pasta, fruit, and right this minute I am craving a lentil soup!

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

I got the book Skinny %#$@ Bun in the Oven. It has great recipes and other info!! GL

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

Normally (not prego) we eat vegetarian at a 3 week stretches without trying. We only eat organic poultry and fish. Being prego with twins my dr wanted me to boost the protein so i eat a lit more chicken.

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

Posted by eastny

I got the book Skinny %#$@ Bun in the Oven. It has great recipes and other info!! GL

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

I was vegan for years.These days, I'm much more lax. I am an octo lavo vegetarian (I don't eat meat, but eat some dairy and some animal products). Since I have been prego though, I have actually eaten meat a handful of times- if it looks good or my body wants it, I'll go for it as I'm in the mindset of not wanting to 'deny' the baby any nutrition or food he wants. (Probably silly, I'll admit) Meanwhile, I always eat a lot of beans, tofu & foods with protein to make up for the non-meat eating. I've actually (and quite sadly) had to cut out a large portion of my diet- soy- as I've read conflicting and negative info regarding it during pregnancy. I am a huge fan of Trader Joes/ Whole Foods/ morningstar/ etc meatless products but have had to forgo them these past few months.

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

Posted by JeanetteAndSteve

Posted by eastny

I got the book Skinny %#$@ Bun in the Oven. It has great recipes and other info!! GL

i didn't know they had come out with a bun in the oven book. thanks, i'll pick it up!

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

We are not veg, but the vast majority of our meals are. We do a ton of beans, nuts and some soy to make up for the protein. Fav meals incl: pasta with chickpeas, veggies, and cheese, homemade veggie burgers, and omlettes/frittatas. But I do enjoy a hamburger now and then! Can't even look at chicken since I have been preggo...

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

Im a vegetarian-- and this is my second pregnancy. I do eat dairy.

Now that I am feeling better, I am trying to lay off the carbs, but I pretty eat the same way-- making sure i get protein from other sources like beans, soy and dairy.

eta-- my 2.5 y/o is a vegetarian too, but I do let her try whatever she wants. DH is not veggie. She loves lox the best!

Message edited 8/13/2011 10:06:54 AM.

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

Re: vegetarian or vegan moms-to-be??

I am a vegetarian for 13 years, dairy only. My husband is the complete opposite. I would like my child to be veg but know it will be a fight from dh and family. I will let my child try all and make a decision when older.

My doctor is not worried at all about my vegetarianism during pregnancy.

As far as family not respecting your wishes, I can understand that. Most of the time you will be feeding your baby/child, not someone else. When someone else is babysitting you can send them with food. They may not listen, if you find out they didn't respect your wishes, you may not want to leave them alone with your child if its that important for you.

Your child too may end up choosing not to be a vegetarian later in life. You can keep them veg to the best of your ability and when they are old enough to choose they can tell extended family themselves, "No" when offered...or yes.

Will they see your family often? If its rare, lets say holidays only and your child is given meat - it may upset their stomach badly since they won't be used to it but if they see grandma weekly and she;'s always sneaking it to them they won't get sick from it but its still wrong of your family to do! I hope your family respects your wishes. Its easier that your dh is veg too.

congrats and good luck