Any vegetarian expectant mums?

[Tinwe]

Hello

I'm in my first trimester and struggling with nausea. Just wondered if there are any other veggy mums who might offer any advice about this or veggy diets during pregnancy in general?

Thanks

Thanks threelittleducks will ry to pick somee up although it's a journey to the local ALDI from here so I'll have to send DP on a mission.

Interesting news lulastic, are they labelled pregnant friendly? Who recommended them?

Hi,
Veggie here. When I was pg, here are a few things I found helpful

• tried to eat lots of nuts for protien. I craved chocolate so I made batches of a chocolate cake crammed with ground nuts. Also nuts in porridge (which I do now with my veggie kids).

When I couldnt face the amount of veg I thought I needed for vits, I got a juicer and realised you can get down any combination of vile green stuff if its mixed with apple juice and downed quickly. Plus of course you can make plenty of yummy fruit combos as well, and to suit changing tastes.

I ate loads of watercress for iron, nearly a bag a day (often with baked beans, which seemed like a good idea at the time). I ended up with great iron levels, to the extent that I was able to avoid a transfusion (after emergency c-section) because my iron levels were so healthy.

Tinwe, I was certain that they're not veggie but a quick google search seems to contradict this, so defs worth checking - wouldn't want to talk you out of a veggie option if I'm wrong!

I've been veggie for 13 years but love haribo-esqe sweets so have a constant search for veggie versions!

Sounds sensible and admirable egbok but can't imagine getting that much watercress down... to be honest the thought is making my stomach turn! Sorry! The nuts for protein thing I will try though. Tried porridge the other day and that made me gag (the consistency) so have abandoned that in favour of muesli which should be nutty too.

I can't for the life of me think why your midwife has told you not to take multi vitamins?? Assuming they are pregnancy ones of course. Did she give you a reason? She might have said they're not necessary, but they certainly won't do any harm.

I'm 31 weeks in second pregnancy and also a veggie. I took zita west vitamins throughout last one and this one so far and never had to worry about iron levels etc. I think as a veggie you really should take them to make sure you're not missing anything from meat / fish.

As far as food goes, eat what you fancy while you're feeling rough! Whatever you can face. I found mashed potatoes to be a saviour (the frozen aunt besides stuff and frozen peas = great quick snack)

Aunt bessies, not aunt besides!

Great idea, potato is something I can manage and that sounds convenient. Will look out for some pregnancy suitable vitamins too - you've all convinced me. Maybe my nausea will be helped by taking them too, like lulastic suggested

Am veggie too and now 27w+ pg... Though I was lucky not to face any morning sickness, I understand what you mean by not being able to get anything down. I felt better after having something with a low GI - wholewheat bread, pasta ... try smaller portions in greater frequency. Nibble something every 1.5 - 2hrs - even if it is half a biscuit or a piece of fruit. Oat biscuits like hobnobs are good, so are cereal bars. Lots of people seem to suggest ginger to beat nausea - never understood that! . Lemon is the best defense for nausea - lemon tea or lemon juice (juice of half lemon + equal hot water) is the v effective.

And don't worry - first trimester will fly by and you can look forward to eating yummy things soon! :o

Oh kosh just what I needed to hear! Have sent my dp out with a long list of suggested items to buy but think we have lemons already. Strange thing is that I now get a few hiccups after eating which makes my nausea worse.

Will make more effort to eat every hour and a half or so, has been getting up to 4 hours which might be too long from what people have said. 's just frustrating when eating is such hard work! Oh, I'm such a wuss!

DP has just returned with supplies and Lovehearts ARE vegetarian - woo hoo! Also a multi vit called "pregnacare" which is veggie friendly and has the right dose of folic acid in. Am feeling much more positive now too. Thanks ladies!

Hi,

I've been veggie since I was 14 years, Vegan for the last 5 years - now 8 weeks pregnant and my morning sickness is sooo bad. Couldn't go to work for a week, then was okay for a week, now not okay again.

I normally eat very healthy but at the moment have got real problems keeping anything down.

I do have to say I don't trust the medical profession that much, I know GPs have a lot to do, but telling me (at my second visit, because I was feeling too poorly) to eat lots of oily fish...hm I did tell him I was Vegan. Oh, and sick at the thought of any food, let alone oily fish!

Ice lollies seem to work, as sometimes does porridge. I do have real issues with the consistency of foods. Can't be too slimy or I won't get it down without lots of water.

I really hope this is getting better soon. Where's the pregnancy glow that everyone's one about?!

Oh, lots of sympathy vjoy!

I'm at the same stage as you - have you joined the "due May..." threads?

Might try the ice lollies, have heard that a few times, can't stomach porridge tho'! I can't get thro' anything acidic or spicy so I've been having lots of bland bread, but don't normally eat much bread so don't think my digestive system's enjoying it much (sorry TMI)!

Hi Tinwe
Didn't know about the May thread, although am due just at the end of April so not sure whether that rules me out of that one?!!

By the way if you don't eat gelatine and love hearts are out there is a sweet called 'millions' that might be a good alternative and it is completely veggie friendly.

Jx

Lovehearts were suitable for vegetarians (and vegans) last time I checked, so unless they have changed the ingredients, you can indulge guilt-free again. (I last checked (directly with Swizzels Matlow, and they sent me their list of which sweets in their range were vegan) in May 2009 as we had them as favours at our vegan wedding).

Vegan here (10+ years), pregnant (38 weeks), have had no morning sickness and no cravings for non-vegan things, been a pretty smooth ride.

Regarding nutrition, I've set up a website for vegan parents that you might find useful too, with a section on where to get your plant-based nutrients: www.veganparent.com.

Hope you all feel better soon, and good luck with everything.

vjoy, sorry you had a daft doctor. I've not experienced that at all - all healthcare professionals I've seen have been really supportive - well, either commenting that my choice is a good one, or, just not batting an eyelid, actually!

Lucky you AbFabT! No morning sickness! Will check out your site when I get back from work

JenniferR : some people have joined the May thread despite being due very end of April in anticipation that they will run over. 's up to you of course!

Sweet heaven here : www.sweetieworld.co.uk/vegetarian_sweets/

Haven't ordered anything from here, so no idea what they are like, but might give people something to look for elsewhere.

Thanks WalkTheDog will look into it...

Blending a morning smoothie helped me no end at the start as I totally went off of veg (if I had to cook it at home)

I also found that taking a combined vitamin/ omega 3 tablets helped to put my mind at ease.

Eggs are great for protein and other vits needed in pregnancy.

And one last one (personal preference) cottage cheese on marmite/ yeast extract rice cakes with baby plum tomatoes.... yummy!!

Hey I am veggie and currently 10 weeks, I'm really lucky that I haven't had any sickness yet, but my previous pregnancy (pregnant with twins but had a MC) I had awful sickness all day. Found mash potato, boiled eggs, cereal and cheese pasta only things I could keep down. Have you tried eating boiled eggs and also fruit, plus walnuts and cheese too?

i'm veggie and 39 weeks pregnant. sure this has already been mentioned, but it's worth taking pregnacare or similar as extra vitamin D and iron are recommended.

think as for the protein thing just eat healthy as you would do anyway and don't worry, it's a bit of a myth that veggies are 'protein-deficient'!

Hi all - thanks for the advice

mummygeorgie - still waiting for my veg friendly omega three to come by post as I ran out but will be taking soon. Used to love cottage cheese but gone off it a bit, may try again...

merlino123 - not keen on boiled eggs, a weird personal choice thing but having seen so many bloody eggs I prefer to break them open before I cook them. Eating a fair amount of cheese but getting a bit bored with it, enjoying cereal tho'. Mashed potato been advised a couple of times, will pursue that one soon

splashy just started taking Pregnacare as my midwife told me to stop taking multivits for some reason... after some discussion and reflection I decided to ignore her!