Going Vegetarian

KimberleyWilson2
KimberleyWilson2 Posts: 48 Member
edited November 28 in Food and Nutrition
I was a vegetarian for years, but every time I became pregnant I'd cave and eat meat, after my youngest, my daughter, I just continued to eat meat. She's seven now and has been telling me for months that she'd like to be a vegetarian. We don't eat a lot of meat anyways so it won't be a huge challenge, but I'd still love to have some friends who are vegetarian with kids. One of my biggest struggles will be keeping up my macros because I'm five months pregnant. I'll be logging my food and really tracking things to make sure I'm getting what I need. Also, any suggested websites for information about being pregnant and going vegetarian and/or going vegetarian with kids would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • CXE2017
    CXE2017 Posts: 13 Member
    Vegetarian here, I don't have kids but happy to join you on your journey :)
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
    I'm trying to figure out how a fetus can talk. Much confused.
  • JenD1066
    JenD1066 Posts: 298 Member
    Greetings!
    I'm vegan, with 2 kids- 14 and 6. Feel free to add me.
    What macros concern you?
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat wrote: »
    I'm trying to figure out how a fetus can talk. Much confused.

    She clearly has more then one child. She states she is pregnant but also states her daughter is 7 yrs old.


    Op , just be sure to get enough protein. Using mfp to track your macros is a good idea.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    If you cut out milk, cheese, and other dairy products, keep an eye on your intake of calcium. Having a baby can drain calcium from your body.
  • MaureenPBT
    MaureenPBT Posts: 1 Member
    I've been a vegetarian since I was 3 & had 2 healthy kids without ever eating a dead animal. (They did not become vegetarians, though; for me, it had to be a personal choice.) Anyway, all I can say is, "Eat a lot of cottage cheese." I ate so much of it that I thought I'd never eat it again after each one was born. But I still eat it and enjoy it. I also do NOT worry about eating all my protein. I've done that only once in 8 months--& I went WAY over on calories that day. Protein is over-rated; I am the healthiest person I know, & I usually get about 2/3 of the protein nutritionists say we should get. The meat lobby affects what goes in those nutrition guidelines anyway. Check out the story on NPR.
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  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    edited January 2016
    vinegar_husbands wrote: »
    Methinks this isn't a very good idea. Will she consider eating non-sentient mollusks like scallops?

    A macrobiotic diet imposes additional limits beyond veganism or vegetarianism. I wouldn't conclude that vegetarianism is harmful based on a study of a population on a macrobiotic diet.
  • jandw122912
    jandw122912 Posts: 66 Member
    I'm vegetarian. Have been for several years, including my entire pregnancy. My son is 10 months old now! So far he's vegetarian also, but he's just started eating solids... I think we will let him decide when he's old enough. Add me if you'd like!
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  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    edited January 2016
    vinegar_husbands wrote: »
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    vinegar_husbands wrote: »
    Methinks this isn't a very good idea. Will she consider eating non-sentient mollusks like scallops?

    A macrobiotic diet imposes additional limits beyond veganism or vegetarianism. I wouldn't conclude that vegetarianism is harmful based on a study of a population on a macrobiotic diet.

    The long-term effects of B12 deficiency in children are not exclusive to macrobiotic vegetarians, though. About 77% of adult lacto-ovo vegetarians have B12 deficiency, regardless of whether or not they follow a macrobiotic diet. I'm not sure how OP would feel about her daughter having to take supplements in order to be healthy.

    Given that B12 supplementation is recommended for many non-vegans and non-vegetarians as well (for example, those over age 55) and many of us in the West regularly consume fortified foods, I'm not sure why OP would object to any supplementation or fortified food that would ensure her daughter's health.

    It isn't like supplementation or fortification are limited to vegans and vegetarians. The majority of these products are sold to non-vegans and non-vegetarians.

    If OP regularly put sunscreen on her daughter, would you recommend against it because it meant fortification or supplementation became the best way for her to get vitamin D?

    Fortification and supplementation are simply tools to ensure we are getting the nutrients we need. People who are concerned about B12 intake can use these tools to ensure they maintain good health. Given that even some non-vegans and non-vegetarians have to supplement or eat fortified foods, forging veganism or vegetarianism for this reason seems extreme. What is the harm of supplementation or eating fortified foods?
  • Melmo1988
    Melmo1988 Posts: 293 Member
    I am vegan and have two kids, you can add me :)
  • KimberleyWilson2
    KimberleyWilson2 Posts: 48 Member
    We actually do supplements in our family. I'm also not going vegan, neither is my daughter (the seven year old), so we're still ingesting dairy and eggs daily. I really appreciate all the great information and respectful discussion on here! This site is wonderful!
  • LHWhite903
    LHWhite903 Posts: 208 Member
    Remember your protein! Aubergines (Eggplant), edamame (soybeans), legumes (peanuts, peas, beans), quinoa and mushrooms are all good sources of it, as are nuts and seeds. :smiley: Anything that tastes "meaty" or has a savory "umami" flavor has a good amount of protein.
  • KimberleyWilson2
    KimberleyWilson2 Posts: 48 Member
    LHWhite903 wrote: »
    Remember your protein! Aubergines (Eggplant), edamame (soybeans), legumes (peanuts, peas, beans), quinoa and mushrooms are all good sources of it, as are nuts and seeds. :smiley: Anything that tastes "meaty" or has a savory "umami" flavor has a good amount of protein.

    Thank you! I love egg plant and my kids readily eat it. We also do quite a few legumes (a least a solid portion every day) and we snack on seeds and nuts because we all like crunchy things.
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    Beans and greens!
    I love cooking veggie soups in the crockpot with beans and no you do not have to soak beans first!
    Cut the veggies, add water, and spices and dry beans then let it cook for all night and it's so good!
    Ezikeil bread with pnut butter and jelly is good!
    Salads with nuts and fruits!
    Stir frys with tofu.
    My mom raised us vegetarian, but now I eat fish but yes beans and nuts.
    Have fun!
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