Vegetarianism During Pregnancy
There are many reasons why people decide to become vegetarian. Animal rights, health, and religion can all lead to the choice to live without meat. As with any dietary restriction, when a woman becomes pregnant, she may wonder if she should change her diet in order to keep her child healthy. Luckily, dietary changes are not always necessary for a mother and child to stay healthy during and after a pregnancy.
If you have questions regarding nutrition and pregnancy, contact the Philadelphia birth injury lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 215-238-1130.
A Balanced Diet During Pregnancy
Babies and mothers require a balanced diet to stay healthy during a pregnancy. As a vegetarian, it will be important to make sure you are getting enough of the following vitamins:
- Protein – Your body requires 71 grams of protein a day during pregnancy. Vegetarians will need to consume foods such as tofu, eggs, tempeh, and nuts to get an adequate amount of protein.
- B12 – This vitamin is found in virtually every kind of meat. Vegetarian alternatives that offer this nutrient include eggs and dairy. For women looking to avoid all animal products, they can consume fermented soy products like tofu, miso, and tempeh as well as dried mushrooms to receive B12.
- Calcium – This vitamin is one of the most easy to come by in a vegetarian diet. Soy alternatives such as soy milk, yogurt, and juices are often fortified with calcium.
- Zinc – Zinc deficiency can be dangerous for pregnant women. This vitamin is responsible for maintaining insulin levels, protecting a woman’s ovaries, and maintaining a strong immune system. It will be important to eat foods such as sesame and pumpkin seeds, yogurt, green peas, and crimini mushrooms to prevent this deficiency.
- Iron – Soy beans actually have more iron per ounce than red meat. Lentils and spinach also have a high concentration of iron.
Consuming the right food will be the best way to receive the nutrients you need during pregnancy. However, vegetarian prenatal vitamins can also help keep the body healthy.
Contact Us
Vegetarianism is possible during pregnancy, but it can be difficult to maintain. If a doctor fails to provide his or her patient with important information on proper nutrition during pregnancy, he or she could cause serious injury to the mother or her child. Contact the Philadelphia birth injury lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 if poor medical care has led to your child’s birth injury.