A Veggie Pregnancy

Many vegetarian females worry about the effect their consuming plan plan may have on their developing child during maternity. However, with cautious meals preparing, there may be no need for concern.

"Vegetarian diets during maternity can provide the mother and child with all the proper healthy value they need," says Rachele Dependahl, RD, a nutritionist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Group in Beverly Mountains, Calif.

Dependahl, herself a expecting "pescatarian" (a vegetarian who consumes fish), worried that she would get meat-eating desires during her maternity, but the opposite happened. "Meat has been more of a turnoff than it has been in the past," she says.

Pregnancy and the Veggie Diet: The Pros 

There are many beneficial properties to keeping a vegetarian consuming plan during maternity. For example, vegetarian sources of proteins are easier on the renal system. And being a vegetarian can help keep corrosion — a prevalent problem during maternity — at bay. In addition, vegetarian consuming, in common, decreases the chance of the following conditions:

Obesity

Hypertension

Constipation

Heart disease

Type 2 diabetes

Cancer

Gallstones

Another plus to being a vegetarian, says Martha K. Grodrian, RD, a nutrition therapist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Oh, is that "most vegetarian females eat fewer unhealthy meals and a more consuming healthily plan."

Pregnancy and the Veggie Diet: The Cons 

While keeping a vegetarian consuming plan during maternity can be a proper and balanced option, it requires a little more attempt.

"It may take more work and effective meals preparing to follow a vegetarian consuming plan that is good and balanced during maternity," says Grodrian. "In common, the more meals a vegetarian omits from the consuming plan plan, the more difficult it is to meet vitamin needs." However, health products may be able to meet the increasing demand.

A lacto-ovo vegetarian (one who also consumes milk and eggs) can get all the healthy value she needs for a proper and balanced maternity through consuming plan and a multivitamin/mineral supplement. A vegetarian, on the other hand, who prevents all animal products, will need to take products of supplement B12 and metal and might want to take calcium mineral, zinc oxide, and supplement D, too.

Pregnancy and the Veggie Diet: Nutritional Recommendations 

Nutritional guidelines for expecting vegans are the same as for non-vegetarian females who are expecting. "All expectant mothers need additional metal, calcium mineral, vitamin b folic acid, fat such as DHA (which can be obtained in a vegetarian form), zinc oxide, proteins, and 200 to 300 calories more than pre-pregnancy," says Grodrian.

Specifically, expecting vegans should consume the following:

6 to 11 meals per day of bread, cereal, grain, and grain (choosing whole grain when possible)

four to five meals per day of vegetables

four or more portions of fruits

eight portions of milk products and milk products solutions (one cup of prepared renal legumes as a milk products alternative, for instance)

three to four portions of legumes and vegetable alternatives

two portions of omega-3 body fat for DHA (found in flax seed oil, peanuts, tofu, and omega-3 prepared egg, among other places)

Fats, candies, and unhealthy meals should be consumed occasionally, and expectant mothers should be cautious to avoid the following foods:

Unpasteurized soft parmesan cheesse (such as brie, Camembert, and feta) and unpasteurized milk products, because they carry the chance of listeriosis (a food-borne illness caused by bacteria).

Raw veggie seedlings and fresh unpasteurized fruit and veggie fruit juices, which can contain viruses like E. coli and salmonella.

Even though it may take a little more attempt, following a vegetarian consuming plan while expecting can eat well and balanced. "My pescaterian consuming plan has been easy to maintain," says Dependahl. "I have not faced any difficulties, because I love consuming fresh vegetables, tofu, egg, milk, and seafood."