How to Be A Vegetarian During Pregnancy

Are you a vegetarian and pregnant? There can be many questions that run in your mind in this period, especially if you should carry on being a vegetarian.

It is obvious that a pregnant woman's nutritional needs will increase during pregnancy. You will need roughly 300 extra calories per day during this period. But how can you keep yourself and the baby inside you healthy while being a vegetarian?

Get plenty of protein

Your need for protein will be increased by about 30 percent (10-16 grams) during this pregnancy period. You can get plenty of protein from food like soy, beans and legumes. Just make sure you have at least one such item in your every meal.

Vitamins and supplements

Vitamins and minerals are a part of everyday life even if you are not pregnant. In this fast pace world of lifestyle, we are actually eating less food with nutrition we need daily. Thus supplementing nutrition with vitamins intake is a natural step. Pregnant woman will need a well balanced nutrition diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

You can actually get most of your recommended nutrition with your vegetarian diet. For example, for calcium, you can take foods like broccoli, calcium-fortified soy milk and tofu. Taking dark colored vegetables help too.

Foods like nuts, seeds, breads, beans and cereals are rich in iron. Iron is an important mineral especially at the later part of your pregnancy period. You need twice as much iron when you are pregnant. Insufficient iron may result in premature delivery and a baby with a low birth weight.

Other vitamins needs are folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B-12. Vitamins B12 is important if you are the type of vegetarian that do not eat eggs and dairy product.

Often times, it can be difficult to measure if you have been getting the daily dose of nutritional value that you need per day. The solution to this is taking necessary supplements as an add-on to your diet.

Water and exercises

Pregnancy exercise is good for you and your baby. Working out daily will ensure that you don't get so much backache which can increase during the last few months of your pregnancy. Also, do remember to get some sunlight. Sunlight can stimulate your body to produce vitamin D naturally. As usual, keep yourself dehydrated throughout your pregnancy by drinking 8 glasses of water daily. Odd but true facts, drinking more water actually helps to get rid of pregnancy swollen feet and ankles symptoms.

Eating a variety of nutritional foods and amount, your vegetarian pregnancy period should be an enjoyable journey. The other most important thing to do is consult your doctor to be sure you are getting everything right and your baby is doing fine.