Is it possible to follow a vegetarian diet during pregnancy?


Whether you are a vegan, a lacto-vegetarian, a lacto-ovo-vegetarian or a semi-vegetarian, you will have to pay careful attention to what you eat to ensure you are getting the essential nutrients during pregnancy. Specifically you will want to maximize iron absorption by combining iron rich foods with foods that help with the absorption (e.g. eating your iron fortified cereal with a glass of orange juice). You will want to ensure you are obtaining adequate number of complete protein exchanges from legumes and grains and dairy foods, if applicable. Vegetarians are also at risk of developing deficiencies in vitamins B12, B2 and D, and calcium, iron and zinc. Make sure your doctor knows about vegetarian diet; your doctor may want to monitor your hemoglobin levels regularly.