Vegetarianism and Pregnancy

Most pregnant people avoid going vegetarian only because they are not sure if the nutrition is enough for themselves and the baby. It is certainly possible to get all the nutrients for the body during pregnancy through following a nutrition rich vegetarian diet. The diet needs to be well planned and carefully observed if you are transitioning from being a hard-core non-vegetarian.

Slow and smart is the way to go!

A nutrition rich vegetarian diet consists of a large variety of vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, lentils, beans, and nuts; along with eggs, milk and other dairy products. Canned fruits and vegetables, processed foods, fast food, highly processed junk foods are to be kept at arms length at all times, more so during pregnancy.

Most pregnant women are drawn into believing that eating loads of nutrition rich food is the way to go - nothing can be far from the truth. It is imperative that the food choices one makes during pregnancy are wise and a pregnant woman must understand that all she needs is about 400 calories more than usual and about 15 grams of extra protein. A healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby are the benefits of following healthy eating practices during pregnancy. Every bite that is taken is crucial and should be of value and beneficial to health.

When pregnant, the RDAs (recommended daily allowances) for almost all nutrients increase, but the most important are iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B-12. For complete vegetarians, who do not take even eggs, supplements of vitamin B-12 become highly essential.

During the transition from a non-vegetarian to vegetarian diet, it is important to get expert help from a healthcare professional. This phase sees the natural detoxification of the body and can prove to be rough if not handled properly. Since you would want to ensure that your baby is getting all the nutrients necessary and is developing at the normal rate, it is wise to make this transition smooth by going vegetarian a couple of days in a week at first and slowly increasing the number of days.

The protein that your body is used to obtaining from meat products needs to be gradually replaced with the intake of soy protein and plant based proteins. Prenatal supplements are a must and it is important to get plenty of fresh air and sunlight, while following an exercise routine without fail.

Careful planning, proper supplementation, keen observation, and expert guidance, can help with smooth transition to vegetarianism during pregnancy. Vegetarianism can be a non-toxic and cleansing experience and can mark a healthy beginning to the new life that is growing in the womb and can be the blessing to optimal health for life.