Any Vegetarian Mamas? - Page 2

[~minnow~]

Originally Posted by beckyphry

What do you guys think? If you suddenly started having cravings, would you eat meat to satisfy it?

Yes.

It's funny; I used to be really militant about it. I still feel strongly about vegetarianism ethically and aesthetically (or morally and politically), and I feel very strongly about supporting local organic humane farms if I do eat eggs or yogurty or... meat. It's terrible to eat fish given the state of fishing. But a lot of reading I've done while TTC after being all messed up from being on birth control for ever, as well as the fact that once I ate just a little bit of meat I got pregnant (who knows how direct the link was?), has sort of made me loosen up on my militancy.

I'd still try to address my craving with protein and fat and salt, but if I get a strong message that I want some meat, I'll have some -- the very best and best prepared that I can find.

I suppose this makes me kind of a ... lapsed vegetarian. I never thought that would happen.

allbrightmama: lol about the acceptibility of eating KFC every day.

[mommajb]

Hi ladies. My family is vegetarian.

I think of it as craving protein and when it happens during preg I tend to fall back on eggs and nuts, particularly walnuts. I need to watch the eggs because they can cause eczema flares for my 3yo, usually on her rear and then she walks around with her hands in her pants.

We do not eat fish but I do love the Moosewood cookbooks. My current favorite is Simple Suppers which has a yummy walnut pesto with tomato and raw garlic that we had last night. I may need to try roasting the garlic to remove the bite as the little ones didn'y enjoy it as much as I did.

During my 3rd preg I def craved salt and protein, I even caved once and ate an anchovy and olive pizza. I still can't believe I did it. The older kids (8 & 10) would surely call me on it now if I tried to eat any meat.

[kristen1978]

Originally Posted by ~minnow~

Yes.

It's funny; I used to be really militant about it. I still feel strongly about vegetarianism ethically and aesthetically (or morally and politically), and I feel very strongly about supporting local organic humane farms if I do eat eggs or yogurty or... meat. It's terrible to eat fish given the state of fishing. But a lot of reading I've done while TTC after being all messed up from being on birth control for ever, as well as the fact that once I ate just a little bit of meat I got pregnant (who knows how direct the link was?), has sort of made me loosen up on my militancy.

I'd still try to address my craving with protein and fat and salt, but if I get a strong message that I want some meat, I'll have some -- the very best and best prepared that I can find.

I suppose this makes me kind of a ... lapsed vegetarian. I never thought that would happen.

allbrightmama: lol about the acceptibility of eating KFC every day.

I'm relieved to hear that I'm not the only one who might be "lapsed." I've been vegetarian for years, and yet with this wicked all-day sickness and total loss of appetite, at times the only thing which has sounded appealing (and stayed down completely) is meat. I NEVER thought I'd lapse! I figured I'd up my regular protein sources, and that would be that. Despite my guilty feelings, I know I'm doing the best I can, and I thank the cow which has nourished my body.

This being said, I would welcome any tip/tricks you more experienced veg mammas have used to deal with meat cravings.

[beemama]

I don't really trust my cravings- I've wanted lots of things I've given up for health reasons... like chocolate covered donuts, soda & chicken planks from Long John Silvers (it has been at least 14 years since I've had LJS). I'm not giving in. The all day hunger/food adversion/nausea cycle has kicked in full force & I'm just doing what I have to do. (ask me again in a week )

[skydancer]

Also veggie

Hello!
It is so neat that there is such a pack of us. I too have been craving protein, but definately not meat. The problem is, any soy has been completely turning me off too. Also, randomly, I have a problem with lactose all of a sudden. I don't know if it was caused by drinking soy for so long or what. I did do other dairy (cheeses, etc.). In any case, that cured my craving for ice cream in about two nights. Now if I could only stop dreaming about pringles and McDonald's french fries. I haven't given in yet, but there have been some close calls!!

A little off topic... I have been eating a lot of nuts for protein. I read something once (long ago in another pregnancy) about increasing the risk of nut allergies to the baby by eating nuts while pg. Has anybody heard of such a thing, or am I just a little insane (in the temporary, hormonal way, of course)?

I look forward to getting to know you all! Hello Bee!

[MommyTo3]

Skydancer,
One brand I found that satisfies my craving for protein--and is not soy--is Quorn. They make frozen Chick-n-nuggets and also Naked fake chicken cutlets, out of something called mycoprotein. It is some kind of fungus, like mushrooms. I like those nuggets better than any soy nuggets. Even kids like them! For the naked cutlets, I just saute them in this salad dressing I get in Trader Joe's: Balsamic Vinegrette, and put them on a bed of lettuce and tomato! Way better than McDonalds with real chicken! (Just don't try this with another brand of dressing--I tried Newman's Own--which is usually great--and it did NOT work as a saute!)
Andrea
ps sometimes I am not a vegetarian when somebody offers me steamed mussels!

[lunamegn]

I've been getting occasional cravings for meat, but I figure it's a need for protein, so I try to eat a high protein snack. What sounds good to me is a cobb salad or a turkey club sandwich. I don't think i would eat it even if I was really craving it...

[skydancer]

Thanks, MommyTo3!

I will have to check out that Quorn. The salad idea sounds great! In the past couple of days I have been craving fresh greens and it will really hit the spot.

Oh yeah...I gave in to my Pringle's craving. Perhaps now it is out of my system.

[wordywanda]

I'm also a vegetarian and have been for 18 yrs now (although prior to that I fought not eat meat, it was when I was 15 I finally won my fight against my family and a KY culture that insisted that a healthy diet consisted meat). When I got pregnant before (ended in MC at 8 wks) my MIL was so concerned about my protein content (as well as the fact that I was planning a HB and anyother non-traditional idea I had researched and her friend's daughters weren't doing). This preg I bought Your Vegetarian Pregnancy by Holly Roberts and find it very helpful in validating my diet as well as offering creative ideas about amounts of food to satisfy necessary nutritional requirements month-by-month. I plan to not only use it myself but will also photocopy good parts that I hope will relieve my old-fashioned MIL's fears. NEXT will be the challenge of justifying my child being raised vegetarian (and this was my meat eating DH's idea--which I support 100%, of course). I'll have to buy her some Dr Spock literature supporting the vegan child's diet...even though I'm ovo-lacto myself . I was told by a BIL last preg that his "mom would never tolerate us raising that baby vegetarian." I'm trying to think positively, however I forsee some power struggles down the road (MIL sneaking meat in babe's diet, taking our babe to a Catholic church and splashing it with holy water, etc when she babysits).
As far as cravings-- I have been craving more protein--more in the form of Thai and Chinese food or veggie protiens like Quorn and Morningstar Farm faux-meat products and cheese, yogurt, etc. What's funny is that just about 30 min ago I was thinking about the spicy seasoning in sausage balls...something I haven't eaten since I was like 8 yrs old!! Too funny how the mind works. I won't act on it, of course--I may do some research on those spices and try to work up a veggie substitute version of sausage balls.
If anyone wants to share yummy tried and true high-protein recipes I'd love try them!!!

[mamas2atti]

I am a vegetarian too. Both of my previous pregnancies I completely craved meat (and gave in). This time dh told me I would have to prepare it myself because he won't do it. Out of shear laziness and unwillingness to smell food as it is cooking I probably won't have any this time. I am just eating tons of other protien to try to avoid it.

[mommajb]

After my big words... I have been craving meat (but not yet given in).

I could probably give in if it was fish but it has been pork and I cannot bring myself to do that to my body. Honestly I am a little worried that I would react poorly and I get sick or at least more digestively upset than the morning sickness leaves me.

The other big road block has been that I have worked so hard to educate my parents and others that I hate to send a mixed message. I mean they now understand that I do not want to pick the meat out of my food or have soup made with chicken broth, etc.

The intensity of the cravings seem to have passed for now. How about everyone else? How are you doing?

[beemama]

The intensity of the meat cravings has subsided.... which I'm thankful for. I was craving chicken like mad, I wanted it in every form I've ever had it in. I didn't give in, I almost got some quorn- which does taste super yummy- BUT, I'm somewhat allergic to molds and msg so I didn't want to have any kind of reaction.

I'm craving fruits now. I can't stand the thought of veggies right now, but I've noticed my cravings/aversions are constantly changing.

[beckyphry]

Thankfully I haven't had any meat cravings yet!

[MichelleW]

I was a lacto-ovo for 12 years, and about 2 years ago started eating chicken, fish & seafood. Since being preggie & being concerned with protein, I eat dessert tofus or some nuts (cashews, almonds, etc) as little snacks, or poached eggs for breakfast. Everyone, including DP, thinks I will crave beef, but I can't see how that would happen, as it's been almost 15 years since I had it & I never liked it ayways. I certainly wouldn't give in, in fear that it'd make me sick! (besides it appalls me anyways)

So far my cravings have been very healthy -- fresh veggies, cheese, flax toast, etc -- I am lucky, I know!

Not sure what kind of diet the wee one will have, as DP eats red meat about once a month (and it makes him feel ill), but I'm sure diversity will prevail! (some eggs, tofu, some chicken or fish, etc)

[stefka]

I've been veggie for about 15 years, BUT I ate some fish while pregnant and nursing DS, because I just couldn't satisfy my protein cravings any other way. And I'm already eating it again with this pregnancy. Funny enough, I don't feel guilty at all (and I'm the queen of guilt ). I've really worked to be better about listening to my body after a childhood of clean-your-plate-and-eat-what-we-think-you-should. So I'm alright being not quite vegetarian for a while when it makes my body feel so much better.

I did fight off the KFC cravings last time though... my favorite coffee shop was near a KFC. Walking past it nauseated me for 3 months, until suddenly one day I was DYING for it. Not even sure if that would count as "meat," so I talked myself out of it.

[mamas2atti]

Luckily (or unluckily) for me, the only thing on my menu these days is cereal or baked potatoes. I even had to dump my old stand-by, the bean burrito, today when I couldn't swallow it. How many more weeks until this disgusting nausea is gone? :