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iron deficiency during pregnancy...approaching anemia
Started
by KK
on July 8, 2010
Jen, I was going to recommend The Natural Pregnancy Book as well! I'm finishing it up right now and love it (though we aren't pregnant yet)! I thought she had some great advice for getting iron stores up. She does recommend Floradix and cautions about iron supplements because they can cause and/or worsen constipation. It's definitely worth the read if you want to check it out, KK!
I just had to respond to this to anyone still interested. I was told that I was borderline anemic at 30 weeks pregnant. My midwife was great about allowing me to try nutritionally to get more iron in my body before trying supplementation. I have gotten so much grief about "flirting" with being vegan while pregnant but the midwife wasn't worried. She gave me a handout of food high in iron and hazelnuts was higher than beef liver (which is supposedly the best for iron)! Anyways, just wanted to let you know that there are lots of ways to get iron in a vegan diet: Hazelnuts, cashews, pistashios, dried fruit, fortified cereals, etc. I have noticed a huge difference in my energy levels when I started paying more attention to getting these in my diet. Just wanted to lend what I learned!
Emma,
good info! I'm not the op, but I'm pregnant and my iron levels are low too. And I've gotten a lot of flak about vegan diet too, so much so that I did start eating meat again, but just recently went back to vegan..iron levels were low after eating animal protein so it's not because of being vegan...
I really wish people would keep their mouth shut in regards to our own personal choices, when they aren't even educated. I just wish people could say, oh you look great, can't wait for baby instead of all the negative crap they say and comments on how I'm showing and what I'm eating and my birth plan and blah blah blah...ha ha, I'm venting..anyways thanks for info!
btw, how do you eat hazelnuts?
@ Kaetlin- Isn't it funny how people have a problem with eating healthy vegan foods of fresh greens, ect during pregnancy, but the woman that eats a gallon of ice cream is considered okay?!?!? I'm telling you, America is in the dark about so many things!!! To all the pregnant vegan Mommies- rock on!
@firefly--yes it's so annoying!! thanks for the support=) I should have just come here all along instead of listening to others, but then you start wondering and questioning and hoping you won't hurt your baby. Actually, my Dr. said it's fine, but when he said I had to eat 65 to 70 grams of protein, I felt like I was eating too much, and I had a strong aversion to beans and tofu, and am allergic to wheat so can't eat the fake meat stuff...I wish they made some without wheat/gluten. However, I'm good now, and eat tofu and beans so don't have to eat a ton extra to get those grams of protein.
Also, I couldve and should still get some good soy protein powder I wouldve been fine with that.
I used to be anemic as well. Burdock, dandelion and cooking in cast iron skillets are the best iron sources. There's info and recipes on all 3 in Alicia's book. I like burdock and carrot kinpira and dandelion in salads and soups. Good luck! :-) Message me if you don't have Alicia's book and I will find sites for recipes to link you to.
ohh nice! I am in favor of make your own treats instead of buying. I'll have to try it!
OMG! I totally miss nutella and can't wait to try this vegan version!
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