Non-vegan pregnancy cravings

[zscaler]

Have any other vegans gone through pregnancy and has serious cravings for non-vegan food items?

I’ve never struggled with cravings for animal products since I went vegan - never really missed cheese or anything. But since I fell pregnant I am OBSESSED with the idea of eating cheese, and nothing is filling that hole.

Did anyone else go through this? If so, how did you managed the cravings? Did you find something else to satisfy the cheese lust?

A quick google brings up lots of threads of women who have experienced the same problem

vegfamily.com/vegan-pregnant-and-craving-cheese-how-to-fight-the-urges/

www.inhaleexhalerun.com/blog/confessions-of-a-pregnant-vegan-i-ate-cheese

I gave in and ate the cheese. And continued eating it until DS was about 6 months old. Sorry, probably not the answer you were looking for.

Calcium supplement in case you are craving calcium and something salty to eat.
I'm generally a fan of 'have what you fancy' during pregnancy but as a vegan you just need to work through each element until you work out what your body is craving. Good luck and congrats!

Your body is telling you what it needs. Eat it.

I craved lentils for months in my first pregnancy. I didn't even know that lentils are rich in iron, but somehow my body did and compelled me to eat them every day.

Thank you everyone! So far I’ve managed to resist, but that may not last 😩 I may be vegan but this baby definitely didn’t. I’ve added lots of salty, umami and calcium rich things to my shopping list for tomorrow so hopefully something else will scratch the itch!

*isn’t not didn’t!

Honestly, just eat some cheese 🤷

I did - for fish in first trimester, and cheese from time to time. I just had lots of savoury, umami things, and made sure I was getting calcium and healthy fats. I've been vegan for 5 years, it wasn't an option for me to suddenly stop - plus, dairy doesn't agree with me! That said, I wouldn't judge someone for having their non-vegan craving, pregnancy is hard enough

How's it going OP? I was thinking of you today as I ate salty feta. Have you been able to find something to fulfil your craving without reaching for the dairy?

Hi @ODFOx I’m ok thank you! I’m still craving cheese but have managed to keep them at bay with a range of things (very salty avocado toast, lemon and garlic breadcrumbs on pasta, pesto made with nutritional yeast). They aren’t quite hitting the spot but they’re enough to help me resist. I’m 10 weeks now so hoping the cravings will maybe ease in the next few weeks.

@zscaler I'm now 16 weeks & back to eating my usual healthy whole food plant based diet! Cravings all vanished. I hope the same happens for you