Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Pregnant Nutrition

Question:
Does anyone know of a good reference on getting good nutrition as a pregnant vegetarian? There doesn't seem to be much on this topic, and I am really quite surprised.

Answer:
I am a vegetarian with a 2yr old. I used Mrs Gooche's Vegetarian Protien Powder as a supplement and took extra calcium supplements. I have a hugely healthy baby boy (who is also vegan) and I suffered no ill effects. You're right, there is no literature out there. My ob sent me to a nutritionist who was basicaally useless as far as vegan advice, but a good health food sotre should be able to help. I was a vegan before I became pregnant, then I became a lacto-ovo vegetarian. That was 16+ years ago. I took a college nutrition class last quarter and the first thing I did was to check out the section on vegetarian diets when I got the book. I was pleasantly surprized to find that the text has some very solid and accurate information regarding this type of diet. So, I would start by getting a good book on nutrition. It will give you basic information that you will be able to build on. If you are having trouble finding books, like the ones listed in the previous post, let me know and I'll e-mail you the names of some good catalogs. Feel free to write me if you have some specific questions about vegetarian diets and motherhood. No quarantee that I could help but I'm willing to give it a shot. I've seen a few books out there. Three that I have and enjoy are: Pregnancy, Children and the Vegan Diet by Michael Klaper, M.D. Vegetarian Baby: A Sensible Guide for Parents by Sharon Yntema Vegetarian Mother Baby Book by Rose Elliot I have seen at least half a dozen other books in stores (varying from new age stores to health food stores to the big chains) so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding information. A commonly available book What to expect when you're expecting, by Eisenberg, Murkoff and Hathaway (Workman Press, N.Y.) has a nice diet & nutrition section with good ideas for a vegetarian or blended vegetarian approach.