Vegetarian and pregnant

[Sydneysmum]

I don't know if there is anyone else around here who's vegetarian and pregnant (or veggie and breastfeeding) but I thought it would be good to compare notes.

I managed to make it through my last pregnancy without having to take iron tablets. I ate dried apricots and even molases in hot milk in the end just to make sure I was getting enough. I'm starting to slow down again now and I'm wondering if I'm anemic - so I'm going to ask the midwife when I see her tomorrow.

I'm already trying to do what I can - I eat plenty of pulses and grains with hidden nutrients like quinoa and pumpkin seeds. I know that people with nut allergies in their families have to avoid peanuts but I try to have some peanut butter on toast mid morning if I remember.

Not sure what else I can do - any suggestions?

 

[Tangerinedream]

Spatone is good for iron levels. It is mineral water with iron in, my midwife suggested it to me. It comes in a sachet the size of a tomato sauce sachet and you add it to a glass of fruit juice (OJ is best). It really helped me. You get it from chemists

Ooohh... MW also recommended dark chocolate for iron, the darker the better... what better excuse eh

 

[Sydneysmum]

Thank you, will ask the midwife about Spatone tomorrow. Have just had some Green & Black's mega dark chocolate so I may just go and have a few squares more...

 

[claireyfairey]

Hey I've been veggie for 11 years now, so am also trying to eat really well too. My first set of bloods came back with great results which I was so pleased with as it means I've been doing a good job keeping healthy!

I don't do anything special really, just try to eat lots of wholegrains and get my 5 a day - as well as eat plenty of protein (including fish occasionally - only introduced this during pregnancy) and drink plenty of milk. I took Floradix (from Holland and Barrett) at the start of my pregnancy which is a liquid iron supplement, but haven't taken it for a few months, but I think I will start again just to be on the safe side. It's safe to use in pregnancy That's a great idea about the molasses though, I might have to try that! My usual diet is like this:

Breakfast: Large bowl of branflakes with a serving of raisins (added by me - never enough for a fruit portion in sultana bran!). Semi skimmed milk.

Snacks: Apples/satsumas/Activia yogurts/caramel rice cakes.

Lunch: Could be soup and wholegrain bread/tuna or philadelphia sandwich with a portion of cucumber/celery/cherry tomatoes etc. Packet of crips occasionally. Followed by more fruit or yogurt and sometimes a chocolate biscuit.

Dinner: Pasta with tomato sauce and extra veggies/quorn sausages with new potatoes and vegetables/soup and wholegrain bread/occasional chinese or indian takeaway.

Snacks: More yogurt/bananas/biscuits etc

I eat LOADS!!!!!!!!!!!

C xxx

 

[claireyfairey]

Spatone is good for iron levels. It is mineral water with iron in, my midwife suggested it to me. It comes in a sachet the size of a tomato sauce sachet and you add it to a glass of fruit juice (OJ is best). It really helped me. You get it from chemists

Ooohh... MW also recommended dark chocolate for iron, the darker the better... what better excuse eh

As if we need an excuse for chocolate

Thanks for that, will look out for Spatone

 

[GBLiz]

im a lifelong vegetarian and when i had my bloods the midwife said she'd never seen such a high ferritin count 8)

not sure why cos my diet wasnt exactly balanced.

ive always eaten a high protein diet but i went off protein while i was pregnant

i'd stick with chocolate if i were you

 

[Hazel]

I was a veggie for 7 years (most of my adult life) and from about 10 weeks have had the most horrendous craving for beef. I was bleeding heavily for the first 15 weeks so put it down to that and lack of iron.

I think I will probably stay a carnivore after baby is born.

 

[trixipaws]

i dont eat meat and i couldnt eat nuts while pregnant or breastfeeding as my baby-daddy is allergic so i got almost zero protein! quorn and peas were all i got i think lol.
i just took my pregnacare tablets and veggie omega oil capsules (from morrisons) i was fine. i think u can get iron supplements should u need them