Vegetarian Pregnancy- Craving Meat!

my girlfriend had the same thing happen, also a vegetarian. She ate the meat and was glad she did. Her child ended up being allergic to many things, and ended up having to eat meat for protein. She felt that it was her bodies way of preparing her for what was to come (looking back, that is).

I've heard a lot of people say to not mess with a Mama's cravings, that it is the body's way of telling you what you need to eat. However...I always craved sweets while pregnant (never really do when not pregnant - I'd rather just have seconds of the main dish) but this last pregnancy I ended up with Gestational Diabetes and couldn't eat sweets, and hardly any carbs. So I'm not sure that you should feel driven by cravings.

You should really consider why you're a vegetarian. (I grew up one, and then ate meat starting at about 9 years old until I became pregnant with my first. I decided to give it up for health reasons.) There is no reason to eat meat during a pregnancy, you can get all the protein you need from vegetable sources. If you are comfortable eating meat during the pregnancy just to satisfy your cravings, then go for it, and don't beat yourself up about having "slipped up". I had a few times eating out with Diabetes where it was just easier to eat meat then find a low carb vegetarian option at the restaurant. It wasn't at all what I WANTED to do for myself or my child, but it was more practical for my health as vegetarian proteins are hard to find in restaurants.

I haven't read much on eating for your blood type and am not sure how much stock to put into that. I know that a balanced plant based diet is ideal for the body, and to base a diet on meat does not sound healthy - as meat is full of fat, cholesterol and no fiber, also full of hormones and disease. Obviously meat is a good source of protein and eating some with lots of vegetables is healthy, I guess my concern rises from the term "meat based".

Best wishes as you try to find foods to get you through pregnancy. Its tough even when you're not conflicted about fulfilling your cravings. ;)

After I had my first son I became a vegetarian to lose the weight and feel better. I was doing fine until I got pregnant again 3 years later. My body was craving meat also. Before I had a chance to say anything to my doctor I had accidentally ate bacon mixed in a casserole at a potluck luck dinner and noticed how much better I felt and more satisfied. I was craving meat as a substitute for protein, I started eating meat once a day throughout the pregnancy but stopped again after he was born, I wanted to make sure he was getting enough vitamins and nutrients, they also say your body will crave what you need in vitamins. Back then (12 years ago) there wasn't protein drinks though, so if you don't want to convert temporarily then try drinking a protein shake, they are very satisfying to me, but ask your doctor first to make sure it's ok for the baby. My guess is they would be fine, they are packed with good stuff. FYI, not talking energy drinks, just protein.

I was told that it's your body craving protein. Up your vegetarian proteins and see if that helps.

Hi J.---From my experience working with a Naturopath who has her PhD in nutrition, I would say that it would be fine to eat some meat now and then. Dr. Pam advocates a 90% plant based/10% animal based diet. This suggestion is based on long term research such as The China Study by T Colin Campbell, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dr. Dean Ornish. At our house, we eat vegan/vegetarian probably 4 or 5 nights a week, and have animal protein the other 2 or 3. Often, that meat is in a casserole or a soup our stew.

Be sure that you are using a good quality source of meat---animal protein really should be organic, if at all possible. Organic meat is healthier because the animals eat healthier. For example, grass fed beef has an optimal ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids, because they eat plants. Omega 6's come from grain, and while important for health, too much causes inflammaton in the body. That's why wild salmon is essential. They eat the small fish that eat the algae which gives us the rich source of omega 3's. Farm raised fish don't eat foods that give them omega 3's.

Dr. Pam does not think much of the Blood Type Diet, it is not based on long term research. I do know of people who say it makes a difference for them, however.

Be sure to eat lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. You will get lots and lots of protein from these foods and then supplement with your casseroles and stews. And be sure to eat AT LEAST 9-13 servings of f&v, if not more. Being pregnant, your body is generating tons more free radicals. If that is hard to do, give me a call and I can help with strategies to increase your fruit and veggie intake. I look forward to talking with you soon.

Good luck! In health, D. ###-###-####

Hi J.,
I am actually really shocked at several of these responses to your post. I am gathering that most are not vegetarian. If you are having cravings for meat, and whether it is due to pregnancy weirdness, iron or protein deficiency, you need to ask yourself why you are vege. If it's for moral/ethical reasons especially, you will find a way to curb these cravings as well as any other you may get pregnant or not. Try higher-protein and iron options like tempeh--it's also gummier to eat than, say, beans, so maybe it will "feel" like steak. Or maybe porto mushrooms. Anything is worth a try. I just hate seeing someone turn against their vege roots because of "cravings." Be strong, and yes, answer to your body, of course. Also, maybe this will pass since you are in your first trimester. Good luck, and congratulations!

Hi there!

I am not a vegetarian, but a woman I used to work with was and had the same thing happen to her when she was preganant! So did Phoebe on Friends, if you ever watch it :)

I do believe in listening to your body when you are pregnant. However, you don't say your reasons for being a vegetarian. If it is for health reasons, perhaps you can find some lean cuts of meat that will satisfy your craving, but you will still feel comfortable with. If it is for ethical reasons, then it will really come down to what you decide. I would say to be sure to not over-do it though, as your bady is not used to digesting meat now, so introduce just a bit at a time. You don't want to get sick from eating too much of it after not having it for so long.

Good luck, and congrats on the new baby!

I am also a vegetarian and was had four kids. I would sometimes crave meat during my pregnancy which totally surprised me! I trust my body and if I was craving meat, I ate it. Sometimes I would get sick thinking about it, but I dealt with it since it was for my baby. I would do anything for my baby and I ate the meat. And I am also 0 negative blood type! Strange! Good luck!

I sm not a vegetarian.. but during my pregnancy with my daughter i wanted steak and shrimp.. on thanksgiving day I had a snack of a big mac before thanksgiving dinner..I was actually quite concerned taht macdonalds would be closed on thanksgiving and I wouldnt be able to get a big mac,

I had very good iron levels during pregnancy. maybe because I ate red meat.

with my second pregnancy I wanted cookies and candy. other than that I didnt like any food.

I would encourage you to eat what you want when you are pregnant. If you are craving it I bet that is what you and the baby need at this point.

I do remember in my childbirth class we went around the room and everyone listed their cravings and red meat was the number 1 craved item...

It could be your body wanting the protein. Try a similar non-meat source with lots of protein and see if the cravings go away. also, vitamin B6 helps with the nauseau, I drank a lot of propel water which has a lot of B6 in it.

I am a vegan and craved meat while pregnant, weird huh... I have heard a lot about he blood type diet and my naturopath said that some things are on but over all it's kinda ridiculous... so many things didn't make sense... God didn't create us with a card telling us our blood type and a list of do's and don'ts with food. I don't have a real strong argument against it but over all I would not follow it... especially one that recommended a meat based diet.
Read "the china study" I am almost done with it and it talks alot about meat and just animal protein in general, a fascinating book, that it sounds like you may like due to being a veg.

Go get your iron levels checked and try a B-6 vitamin.

from the sounds of it your lacking iron. Its one of the things you get from steak. You might want to talk to your dr about it. If you bodies craving it I would eat it. you may like it and its good for your baby. Just cuz your a veg. doesnn't mean your baby will be. good luck

Hi J.,

I'm the farthest thing from a vegetatarian but I have read that while preggers, your cravings are usually telling you what your body needs. In your case it's probably iron explaining your craving RED meat as apposed to chicken. You will get that from your vitamins but sometimes you may need more than that. I would just eat whatever you would normally eat to get you iron (beans, spinach, etc.) Just eat more of it and see if that helps. This goes along with the "eat for your blood type" theory. Thanks by the way for that...now I know why I love steak too!

Your body will crave what it needs, especially when you are pregnant. You might try adding some protien to your diet, however you typically get it on a veg diet and see if the craving goes away.

Your body needs protein so as much as you may hate the idea of eating meat, maybe you should add some chicken into your diet for the duration of your pregnancy; after all, a healthy baby is what you're hoping to have right? Good luck!

I seem to remember hearing that if you craved meat during pregnancy you may be prone to Iron deficency...

Personally I crave Burger King Double Cheese Burgers. :-) Have for the last 3 pregnancys. And then immediately after labor I crave bread... Usually chase my hubby out to the BK drive thru for a Whopper. lol

But it could also be a consistancy thing... who knows. I tend to take the "If I'm craving it there is a reason" train of thought and although I don't allow myself to sit and eat a massive amount of food cause i'm craving it, If I want chocolate, I buy a small bar and split it with my 3 kids or eat a miniature bar. I allow myself 2 trips a week max for my double cheeseburgers and then follow up with a large salad for dinner. :-)

I am not sure if there are any vege foods with the consistency of a steak...

Congrats and good luck with your cravings! They can get annoying... lol

I'm not familiar with the diet but I wanted to congratulate you on your new little boy! I was a vegetarian until I became pregnant with my son. To this day I'm still not a fan of red meat but when I was pregnant with him I could not eat enough beef!!! Good luck and congratulations!

Hi J.,

I had exactly the same experience as you during my second pregnancy! I had been a vegetarian for about 5 years, and never craved meat during my first pregnancy either. During my second pregnancy, when my husband would order meat out, or I would prepare something for him and our daughter at home, I would want some too. I really did not want to start eating red meat again, so I would allow myself a bite or two of poultry or fish here and there, and eventually started eating all three again regularly(8 1/2yrs later, I still only avoid red meat). I had never heard of anyone else having a similar experience before, but maybe your body is just craving more protein. If you eat fish, you could try eating that more often, and maybe more tofu steaks too. It could just be something you'll have to deal w/ if you decide not to eat meat during this pregnancy. Good luck.

S.

Just eat the meat. your body is craving what it needs, especially the iron in the meat, low iron is shown to have a lot of problems for the baby. The amino acids are the buliding blocks of the protein, which your child needs to make the majority of his/her body parts you are literally making a human. If you do not consume the needed parts protien, fat (baby brains are a sac of fat at first so are the coatings for nerves) etc.. your body will automatically give what you have and take it from your parts to give to the baby, then there is not enough for both of you and you have cravings. You do not want to make your child out of junkfood, just healthy food. My doc had me eat 120 grams of protein everyday while I was prego, I was fine the whole time. I had to have a protein shake to get enough protein, egg whites have alot of protein, so does cottage cheese. I had alot of cottage cheese with my daughter and she ended up having a dairy allergy. One nutritionist thought I had too much, so keep it balanced where the proteins come from not just one source. Good luck you'll feel way better.The bloodtype diet is great I use it for my patients.