Good vegetarian diet

[warzonemummy]

I went for a scan today and looks like my baby is on the skinny side. Apparently I am supposed to eat better. I lost 4 kilos from my pre-pregnancy weight and then put three kilos back on. So in total I am 1 kilo down still from my pre pregnancy weight. Btw, I am on the higher end of the "normal" BMI.

Anyway, my question is: (I am vegetarian.) Are there any website where I can check what the correct portions are supposed to be for me. I have an idea of what I should eat but just not how much. some stupid website told me, amongst other stuff, I am supposed to be eating 4 portions of beans every day. That must a joke.

I HATE it when people make me feel guilty for not eating meat - I just can't eat it. It makes me puke :(

Bump. Im a vegaterian ttc.

your baby might just be small..... i wouldn't have thought what you eat has very much effect on the size of your baby unless you are seriously malnourished

being vegetarian should nto be an issue
ask to speak to a dietician, mw should be able to refer you

Hi warzonemummy

I'm also a vegetarian and am in the middle of a nutrition degree and so hope I can point you to the right sort of area to look.
The NHS/government has a website (fsa) which advises on diet: the eatwell plate is most often used and cited as it gives ideas on portion sizes and what constitutes a healthy meal. Here's the link:Eat Well Plate

Check out this place too:
British Nutrition Foundation the link takes you to the Briefing papers and you can download them there, this is a vegetarian diet one and also a nutrition in pregnancy one which I've found very useful. The papers are on the left hand side to download.

The best type of cooking I've found to be the most nutritious is indian. Lots of recipes for lentil and brown rice, complete protein without fat.
Hope this helps x

Are you eating the same as you normally do? You really don't need to eat much more or "better" in pregnancy if you already ate well to begin with. Might just be a small baby!

Thank you everyone!

lovemarmite do you think it is okay to throw a spoon of vegetarian protein in my juice every now and then? Your links are fab. I just printed the plate. I think I am doing alright. These people (doctors) are just being annoying!!!

I would think a vegetable protein juice drink works!
Other ideas also:
Soya is a really good protein and meant to have all the essential amino acids you need. However, some people can't digest soya properly and so making sure your diet is really varied and includes nuts, seeds and dried fruits e.g. apricots (which are also high in iron) and eat brown rice, beans, lentils, lots of veggies and fruit and if you eat dairy, then some natural yoghurt is great too.

One thing veggies can lack though is vitamin B12 but if you eat some eggs, a little dairy then you should be fine (if you want to get madly healthy, then spirulina is a great source) but a pregnancy vitamin like pregnacare has vitamin B12 too. Also essential fatty acids - hemp, flax seeds are good sources. I take a supplement though and so make sure we have it almost daily.
Not sure what you can get out where you are? maybe a package can be sent to you by a friend/relative to get a few supplements if you're concerned you're not getting enough of the right vits?
Hope the briefing papers help as I've found them quite good and easy to use x

You are a star lovemarmite
I will try your ideas. While I have not got much access to fancy supplements (I eat the standard multivitamins etc...) I have access to excellent home made clean yoghurt of which I got a bucket full today. I will now try rest of the ideas. I haven't looked at the papers yet but will do.

Can I interrupt the thread and ask where do you buy brown rice?

Hi Onelittlebabygirl
You should be able to get brown rice in all big supermarkets, it's on tesco online and waitrose. Also in health food shops too.
I tend to get the brown basmati rice as it's softer and easier to cook although it does take a little bit longer than white rice. It usually has a nuttier taste and after a while, when you get used to it, it tastes nicer than white rice... I think when I converted the fact that it is low GI i.e. it is really good for you, doesn't raise your blood sugar levels sharply like white rice, the taste got better knowing it was really nutritious. Okay, will stop banging on about brown rice now! Sorry

I'm vegetarian, and my baby is measuring a week ahead of my due date at the moment (26+2)

I've been eating lots of wholemeal pasta and things. I've also been bulking up on broccoli and spinach because I'm waiting to see if I'm anaemic. I can't face the thought of eating meat either, but if I have to for my little girl then I'll just grin and bear it :)

Morroccan food is nice, cous cous with lots of nice vegetables and things xx

Hi hipppieshake,

I bet you don't need to resort to meat to get your iron. Your mw may prescribe iron supplements if you're anaemic.
My iron levels were 'tops' as she described and I've been a veggie for about 7 years. With the green veg, some nutritional places advise taking more vitamin C at the same time as eating the green veg as the iron absorbs better. However green veg has vitamin C in it if not over cooked and so that bit of advice is a bit of an odd one.
Right, promise I won't give anymore advice as I don't won't to appear a 'know it all'... I have lots of learn and love hearing other people's advice, recipes etc too!

I love cous cous and have been into the giant one recently, yummy with baked beetroot.