Any vegan mamas out there?

[CrazyCoonz]

Hi,

I'm very early in my pregnancy but just trying to plan ahead. I'm vegetarian but making my way into being vegan. Still eating eggs a couple of times a week and the occasional bit of cheese. Using fortified oat milk and nutritional yeast for additional B12.

This is my second pregnancy (first ended at 14w with MMC) but my last pregnancy I was craving milk and cheese. Couldn't go anywhere near oat milk.

Any vegan mamas out there? Or anyone in the same position as me? We be great to find some support out there. I don't know any vegans IRL!

Hi
I am in a similar position to you - not pregnant but trying to transition from vegetarian to vegan! The thing I struggle with is milk in my coffee.... Almond just doesn't cut it for me.. Also trying to slowly convince my (voluntarily) vegetarian 7yr old to try other plant milks but struggling here too. He insists he doesn't like them. 🌿🌱😕 Any ideas welcome...

@CrazyCoonz
There are some groups on Facebook where they are lots of people in the same position as you:
Vegan Kids UK
UK Vegan Families

There are also general vegan groups such as Vegan UK to help you with support and inspiration.

Hope you can find all of the support you need!

@Savvyhorse44 DH & I have Oatly Barista in our coffee and soya milk in tea and cereal (but sometimes, I prefer my drinks black).

I would suggest getting as many natural sources of calcium / vitamin d / omega 3 into your diet as possible instead of just relying on fortified Products like plant milks or tofu.

All cabbage, wholegrain millet, nuts/seeds, figs etc. And don’t assume cheese will give you a lot of calcium - wholegrain millet (called bajra) can be pressure cooked down into porridge which has the same amount of fibre and calcium per 100g as several bowls of oats with milk. Just don’t eat loads of it as it contains phosphorus too.

Suggest you look up veg Indian recipes because usually in Indian food the addition of butter / ghee / milk / yoghurt is optional and just a matter of taste.

I'll go have a look at Facebook, thanks!

@Savvyhorse444 we love provitamil oat milk. Tested out a few and have been drinking that one for the last 18 months. Works well in tea and coffee and on cereal which some don't.

@CrazyCoonz Hiya, vegan mum-to-be here - I'm 35 weeks with my first, have been vegan for two years. Definitely join some FB groups - I'm on vegan food UK, vegan pregnancy and parenting. Both very helpful for meal ideas.

You really don't need to avoid fortified milks and tofu. There's so much scaremongering about getting the right nutrition - if you're already eating a variety of fruits, veg, pulses and grains you don't need to panic. Baby will take what it needs from you.

I would recommend taking a multivitamin containing vit d/b12 and an iron supplement, but then all pregnant women should be taking those anyway.

Good luck and enjoy your pregnancy

@GrumpyHoonMain sorry didn't see your message before. We really like oriental and Indian style cooking so I think that will be our staple diet for now really!

@aliensprig Thank you, I feel like my diet is well balanced but I'm a little scared about how the midwife might react. Last time I just told her I was vegetarian to avoid the conversation. Was yours okay with it? Did they suggest you see a dietician? I'm all filled up on supplements btw

I am veggie (well, pescatarian really but usually don't eat much fish and only a few types) but my husband is vegan.
We just buy unsweetened roasted almond milk most of the time.
I have however eaten more eggs and fish while pregnant for the nutrients. There was a couple of weird days when I craved lamb chops around 12 weeks, so ate more greens as figured it was about iron. Craving went and hasn't returned. Still eating more greens than usual, and I would say I eat a fair amount of them anyway. Broccoli seems to be magic and contain all the things! Plus v tasty marinated and roasted

Ahah no need for any more multivits then! No, my midwife was actually very supportive and said to carry on as I am (just with a little extra iron - I take Spatone). I'm pretty sure they see all sorts of people with different diets so I wouldn't worry about mentioning it :)