Special Dietary Considerations « Back to Group Discussions

[CrunchyMom05]

Anyone doing the GAPS diet, WAPF, Brewers, gluten free or something else? Our family eats GAPS. I am considering WAPF or Brewers minus gluten for myself.

[Jillgayle]

Paleo/primal. Although at 6 weeks I have several meals that were definitely not.

[GISDiva]

I followed a loose Brewer's diet last time around, once the holidays are over I hope to get back on the wagon...

[HeatherB]

My DD (youngest) is sensitive to dairy, soy, and gluten. In reality, I probably am, too. I haven't been avoiding any of them recently but will probably try that as we head into the new year (again). I've been totally GF/DF/SF for months on end, so I know I *can* do it, but doing so when in the midst of the first trimester may be really tricky.

[HeatherB]

Oh, and I don't really see any big improvements in my health or well-being when I'm off, so it's not like I have a huge impetus to go to the trouble... I do find I get some stomachaches from too much dairy or gluten, but that's it.

[somegirl99]

I am vegetarian (basically vegan), and also dairy-free (my allergy/intolerance), soy-free (my allergy), and gluten-free (for DS).  Very much a challenge, I have to cook virtually everything I can eat.
 

[carmen358]

I was a vegetarian (not vegan) for years before I got pregnant with my DD. Then I craved meat so much that I indulged. I am picky about the meat I eat and I don't like red meat.

I've been gluten free for about 6 years.

[CrunchyMama19]

I am vegetarian, and at home I don't do dairy or eggs either. However, we are with my in-laws for Christmas and it is next to impossible to be vegetarian while I am here. I am ok with that for a few days but they put meat in EVERYTHING. I try to eat around it but with my nausea I need to eat something every so often to fend it off so I am just making do this week. My in-laws are the sweetest people on the planet I think though so I refuse to be a pain and not eat what they work so hard to cook, it's how they show their love.

[thecoffeebean]

I was a vegetarian for years before I was pregnant with DD. But then I craved fish and I've been a pescatarian ever since. We have eight backyard chickens that give us a LOT of eggs, but they are piling up right now because they don't sound appealing!

[emily11megan]

I am vegan, this will be my first pregnancy without meat/eggs/dairy.  I also mostly don't consume white flour, sugar, oils or processed food (usually when out, at someone else's house, or feeling TOTALLY LAZY) With my first two kids, I ate tons of all that stuff, basically the standard American diet.  I was pretty uncomfortable and gained a lot of weight that took about a year to come off.  I was hypoglycemic, swollen, constipated, headachy.  I'm hoping that this time around I can avoid those troubles.  I've been able to avoid nausea so far, so we'll see.

I became vegetarian a few years ago after becoming disgusted with the taste of pork, then eventually all meat.  Then I stopped dairy because my nursling had eczema.  I had been suffering from eczema in my ear canals for a few years, and none of the MDs I saw suggested a link to diet.  When I stopped eating dairy for him, both of our eczema cleared up within a week, and I'll get mine back within days if I eat dairy.   He's still nursing, and he'll get diarrhea.  So, we were veg/df.  Then I got into the plant-based diet for health thing, and haven't looked back.  I'm starting not to even miss the food I don't have anymore.  I'm down to my pre-high school graduation weight!  With no exercise routine, just the usual kid running-after and some stretching/yoga once a week. 

Here's to hoping our diets do us good throughout these pregnancies!  I'd love to hear how everyone else's lives have improved through their diet changes, and updates as pregnancy progresses.  I think the importance of diet is SO UNDERSTATED in our culture. 

[FarmerCathy]

GF and mostly paleo since February.  Sugar free since Sept. 

I totally agree that the importance of diet is way understated and animal fats and organ meats of healthy grown animals on grazing land is also.  I don't want to start an argument just want to let you know what I've read recently.  Take it or leave it, that they both said veganism isn't ideal for growing children in the womb or not.  I just read that in two books recently and thought I'd pass it on.  One book was "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon.
 

[emily11megan]

I think with any diet (by that I mean long-term, not for short-term weight loss), it's important to do serious investigation into the healthiness of the food you eat.  It sounds like you've done that, and I have done the same.  I appreciate your concern, and I understand your longing to pass on the information you find vital to your decision-making.  I feel that too, sometimes very strongly.  I assure you that I have found many, many sources that I feel are credible to support a vegan diet throughout the lifespan.  My 2 year old has been vegetarian/near vegan since birth, and he has no growth or health issues. 

There are many conflicting points of view regarding diet, and I understand it is a source of passion, since it occupies every part of our lives. 

I'm glad we can respectfully have our differences, and I really do hope that our choices give us what we seek, which is obviously healthy bodies.

I'm so worn out by today (getting up before the sun to install a homemade swing set, then the fighting off the 18 tons of sweets that arrived in the mail...gotta start screening!), and my family is on their way here for a two week visit, so...no rest for the weary!  I'm starting to really "feel" pregnant at 6 weeks.

How is everyone else doing with their diet choices through the holidays?  Anyone's family give them a hard time?  Have to bring food so you can eat at get-togethers?

I'm hosting, so no problems this time!

[NotYourBuddyGuy]

This past year, we discovered my DH was intolerant to wheat, corn, and dairy.  My DS started developing some eczema issues after we weaned at 18 months, so we've recently taken him off of wheat and corn.  Thankfully his eczema cleared up - I might have cried if I had to take him off of dairy - the kid loves cheese and yogurt.  He wouldn't eat meatballs last night unless I sprinkled cheese on them.  Thank God for parmesan!

So, I end up being mostly wheat, corn and dairy free by default as well.  I add a little shredded cheese or parmesan, and have yogurt as a snack, but all shared meals are allergen friendly.

I'm so excited for the new allergen friendly cookbook I got for Christmas.  I think we're making allergen free mac & cheese for lunch and 2 different types of lettuce cups for dinner next week.