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Pregnant and Newly Vegan... and worried
Started
by nikki moreland
on March 25, 2010
Hi... I am Nichole, and I am new to the whole Vegan "thing". My husband and I decided to do this a few weeks ago, and were recommended your book a few days later. I have a hard time gathering information on being a vegan while pregnant. I am 4 1/2 mo. pregnant and a stay at home mommy to my beautiful vegetarian one year old son. I am concerned about redasonably being able to get enough protein. I have a diminshed appetite during pregnancy (weird, I know) and I dont know that I can eat 4 cups of beans a day. Any tricks to helping increase protein intake? Also, I have been having a hard time with my energy level... I have none!! :) Any advice there?? Thanks soooooooo much for any help!
Yikes! My advice would be to talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about your eating concerns. the no energy thing could just be related to the pregnancy. I know i felt zapped for the majority of the nine months. However, if you typically have a reduced appetite then making sure you get the proper nutrients for you and the baby is the most important thing. Im sure itll all work out !
Udon noodles have 8 grams of protein per serving, almond butter 9 grams of protein per serving and Quiona has about 8 grams of protein per serving.
While I'm not pregnant, I have read a lot on veganism and these are some of items I have read that have high protein contents. Some of my favorite too!
Some breads have high protein content too.
Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!
Good protein sources include beans, seitan, tempeh, tofu, TVP, and faux meat. Also make sure you are getting a complete protein by combining legumes (beans) with grains/wheat. Ex. Peanut butter sandwich, hummus with pita bread, beans and rice, etc... google how to create a complete protein for other possible combos. Good luck!!
Good protein sources include beans, seitan, tempeh, tofu, TVP, and faux meat. Also make sure you are getting a complete protein by combining legumes (beans) with grains/wheat. Ex. Peanut butter sandwich, hummus with pita bread, beans and rice, etc... google how to create a complete protein for other possible combos. Good luck!!
Nutritional yeast is also great - it has about 8 grams of protein in only 1 1/2 tablespoons! I use it almost every day as a flavor enhancer to most of my savory dishes - from scrambled tofu to popcorn! Food for Life sprouted bread is protein-dense, and if you're really feeling in need of extra protein, you can always buy hemp protein or brown rice protein powder and add it to somy non-dairy milk.
Other great choices are the ones these ladies have mentioned - but the sky's the limit in finding ample protein sources that are vegan. Just google "vegan protein sources" and "vegan pregnancy", and see what comes from it.
Lots of luck to you, and congrats on your pregnancy!
- Lindsay, www.kissmyvegan.blogspot.com
I have been using hemp protein powder in a shake every morning since I got pregnant and it has been a lifesafer for getting in protein, lots of fibre, calcium, and fruits and veggies in one shot on a lowered appetite. I usually just use a banana, some hemp protein (2 tblsps), a half pear, a 1/4 cup frozen fruit (I like blueberries) and about a cup of vanilla rice milk. You could substitute any fruit/veg combo though and your milk substitute of choice. I also sometimes add a tablespoon of flax oil for added omegas!
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