Protein requirements?

WeAreAllOne430 · Dec 1, 2010

Just curious as to how much protein you beautiful mama's all ingest daily (typically).
I'm vegetarian and finding it hard to hit the recommended (what is it) 75g daily?
I really should start to keep a food journal to see how much I'm typically getting...I feel so much more paranoid after the mc last year. My belly is only barely popping out and I keep worrying that it's because I'm not eating enough. I don't think I was showing too soon with my last one, but the second time around I thought you were supposed to pop more quickly?
If only I could hear that heartbeat or feel a sign that all is well and baby is happy and growing like a weed
 
My one friend kept telling me..you know I hear extra protein is good for for the babies brain development...
any thoughts on this?

Partaria · Dec 1, 2010

I asked my midwife this just the other day. She said not to get caught up in counting grams, just to but I am mega type A and I need that number.

She said to aim for around 60.

MamaChef · Dec 1, 2010

Maybe try adding some fish oils to your supplement routine if you are worried. Or are you opposed to that, being vegetarian? You could do hemp or flax oils too. I found the Clif Builder protein bars and they have 20g protein each so I eat one of those when I really feel like Im really lagging in the protein department. DH is vegetarian but will take the fish oil gel caps. We eat mostly vegetarian, but I do eat meat a couple times a week during my pregnancy.. chicken. I aim for 60g too and really focus more on keeping the sugars and white things down. My midwife has never harped on the protein numbers.

annaconda · Dec 1, 2010

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I regularly get the 75 but am not vegetarian.
 
I always have either eggs (2) for breakfast or a soy/whey protein smoothie...
protein of some sort for lunch and whatever else - be it veggies and/or grains or something more sinful.
and protein (baked tofu/fish/chicken/pork/turkey/beans) with veggies and maybe a starch for dinner.
 
I keep walnuts and raisins on hand as an emergency snack as well and that's great for instant protein infusion. Nuts, beans, nut butters, soy milk... and if you're not opposed to it, whey protein is packed with 22g protein per serving. 
 
I actually track my food sometimes for weight reasons and you never know... you might be getting more than you think if you're careful about portion accuracy.
 
However I've considered going veg for ethical reasons but I really need protein to function and am not that great at getting protein from vegetarian sources. Or... I could say, I wish I had more meals with veg protein sources.
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Partaria · Dec 1, 2010

I throw unsalted sunflower seeds on most stuff I eat nowadays. If they haven't been roasted and salted, they don't have a strong flavor, and it's a good way to add some instant protein to your meal.

MrsBone · Dec 1, 2010

do you eat eggs and dairy? that will help alot. There is no way I could be vegetarian this pregnancy. I cannot eat any grains, am sensitive to soy(non pregnant) and tomato products make me have heartburn and barf.

. Meat, eggs, dairy and veggies and fruit make up the bulk of my diet. I would get some greek full fat yogurt, and eat that. It's got a ton of protein. Eggs are also a winner. And don't worry about the cholesterol in the eggs, it's totally needed during pregnancy (and I believe non pregnant as well). Nuts, seeds, lentils, baking with almond/quinoa flour adds lots of protein to your meal. Can you handle beans okay? I can't right now but if you can, they've got protein as well. I wouldn't worry about a number, but I'd say at least 60 would be wise to aim for. Oh, and I totally expected to pop way sooner and get bigger this pregnancy but I'm already 18 weeks and people that don't know I'm pregnant can't even tell. So yeah, I don't think having more kids necessarily means you'll pop sooner.

jenofur · Dec 1, 2010

I'm a vegan and one of the things i'll eat especially on days when i'm just not feeling great and not eating too much are Field Roast Sausages. One sausage has anywhere from 23-25 grams of protein and they are DELICIOUS! <a href="http://www.fieldroast.com/fieldroast_sausages.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.fieldroast.com/fieldroast_sausages.pdf</a>
 
I don't keep track of what I eat usually but once in awhile I will calculate how much protein was in a dinner. A tofu dinner (teriyaki tofu, broccoli, stringbeans, bean thread noodles) I made a few weeks ago had close to 50 grams of protein in it. Keep nuts and nut butters around. Replace rice with quinoa which is high in protein. Maybe try and drink almond milks or whatever higher in protein milks you can find. I'm sure you'll do fine!

Crystalyn · Dec 1, 2010

Do these taste like or have the texture of meat? I'd like more ready-made protein options, but just can't handle them if they are similar to meat... it's a BIG mental block.
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jenofur <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282805/protein-requirements#post_16085570"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I'm a vegan and one of the things i'll eat especially on days when i'm just not feeling great and not eating too much are Field Roast Sausages. One sausage has anywhere from 23-25 grams of protein and they are DELICIOUS! <a href="http://www.fieldroast.com/fieldroast_sausages.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.fieldroast.com/fieldroast_sausages.pdf</a>
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Crystalyn · Dec 1, 2010

If you're lacto-ovo, greek yogurt and cottage cheese are two great sources of protein! I LOVE soup, so I often have a big dollop of greek yogurt in my pumpkin, squash or tomato soup

... or my tortilla soups.
 
Also - tempeh, seiten...

kristenburgess · Dec 1, 2010

I have aimed for at least 80ish per day in each pregnancy and it is one thing I have "counted" because getting a lot of protein generally means that mama is getting enough for baby and helps prevent many, many pregnancy complications.
 
Dairy, eggs, meats, nuts/seeds, beans, etc. are all great sources of protein. Whole grain bread also often has a surprising amount of protein so a sandwich can pack a real punch. 
 
I have always done the Brewer diet so I've gotten 4 cups of milk and 2 eggs daily which covers 1/2 of the protein requirement right there.

ibusymomto5 · Dec 1, 2010

I usually get about 75-80gm each day. Breakfast is usually a couple of eggs with toast and a glass of milk, Lunch is often a spinach salad with chicken or turkey, veggies, cheese, and nuts. Supper is usually a chicken breast, pork chop, or beef, with brown rice, potato or pasta, and a veggie. I have a snack or two of almonds or walnuts, or peanut butter with apple or celery everyday. Protein is easy for me, because I really crave meat and dairy during pregnancy. What's harder for me is grains. I know I don't get in as many quality ones as I should, because they are usually not appealing at all. 
I wouldn't worry about the not popping. It's probably just how your body carries a baby. I wish I was more like that! People always think I must be farther along than I really am or carrying twins, because of how big I get so quickly. I think it's just that I'm short and it has nowhere to hide.

MamaChef · Dec 1, 2010

I think that the fieldroasts and sausages are less like meat then quorn products. I really like them, but man are they expensive. I will say they do remind me alot of meat sausages tho, they have that ground texture.. maybe like the veggie sausage patties but more grainy, if that makes sense.
 
I make my own seitan and so highly recommend it proteinwise! I actually need to make another batch right now because we go through them so quick!
<a href="http://www.everydaydish.tv/index.php?page=recipe&recipe=109 " target="_blank">http://www.everydaydish.tv/index.php?page=recipe&recipe=109 </a> I use this basic recipe but then sub different seasonings or liquids. My favorite uses vegetarian Worcestershire, Better then Bouillon No Beef, fennel, garlic powder, onion powder.. they make crazy good hot dogs, or you can do bangers and mash with gravy ( I like to make a beer/sharp cheddar gravy).. or I do a thicker log and make philly sandwiches or french dips. For breakfast I have a chipotle version that I love with eggs and peppers. I made sausage with apples (I used the dehydrated kind) and sage, made a milk gravy out of caramelized onions and sauteed apples and served it over mashed potatoes, OMG so good. Ive also done garlic jalapeno.. MMm. Seitan is a huge protein source for us. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Crystalyn <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282805/protein-requirements#post_16085607"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
Do these taste like or have the texture of meat? I'd like more ready-made protein options, but just can't handle them if they are similar to meat... it's a BIG mental block.
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jenofur <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282805/protein-requirements#post_16085570"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I'm a vegan and one of the things i'll eat especially on days when i'm just not feeling great and not eating too much are Field Roast Sausages. One sausage has anywhere from 23-25 grams of protein and they are DELICIOUS! <a href="http://www.fieldroast.com/fieldroast_sausages.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.fieldroast.com/fieldroast_sausages.pdf</a>
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sillysmile · Dec 2, 2010

Thank you for the reminder about this and suggestions.. Meat has been really unappetizing lately and there's no way that I'm getting the recommended amount of protein

KarenMT · Dec 2, 2010

Oh wow, I am reading this thread and I probably don't get near as much protein. I am pretty much vegetarian when not pregnant but can't tolerate a lot of dairy. I've always eaten meat when pregnant as there's just no way I have enough of an appetite to eat pure veggie protein. It's only in the past week that the smell of eggs didn't make my stomach turn so today I had two hard boiled eggs as a snack. Lunch was just whole grain spaghetti with sauce- no meat. Supper was veggies, potato and a large piece of tilapia fish. For snacks I did about a half cup of almonds. This evening I had a yogurt and when I wake up at night I always have a large glass of milk. I try and not mix my meat and dairy because I was pretty anemic earlier in pregnancy an dairy can prevent iron absorption. In weeks past I've been doing a lot of protein smoothies with either hemp protein or soy protein. I think I need to get back to those otherwise I'm probably falling short about 20 grams per day.

tzs · Dec 2, 2010

i did the bradley thing last time and they recommend 70 grams including two eggs a day. i did the journal for a week and maxed out at 40 or so. not veggie but we keep super kosher so i only really eat meat maybe once a week and minimal dairy just because it's so expensive and hard to get. now that i have a kiddo i am more vigilant about having a protein with every meal and rely heavily on the eggs.

geekgolightly · Dec 2, 2010

I think RDA recommends ~ 0.8 g/kg for non-pregnant non-athletic adults, and I think that is rather conservative. Vegetarians and vegans might disagree with my assessment of RDA recommendations though!
 
Pregnant women need minimum 10 grams extra per day, per most sources I have read. But for the base recommendation it depends on your bodyweight, muscle mass, and level of athletic activity. RDA max recommendation is 2.5 g/kg OR approx 25% of intake.

annaconda · Dec 2, 2010

ditto on the greek yogurt - this stuff is AMAZING
eggs with yolks are also a great source of choline, b vitamins, folic acid, iron
 
brewers yeast (debittered) is a good source of b-vitamins and protein for vegetarians. It tastes like something though so I don't sprinkle it on things as much as I should. It's an option. I like a little in savory dishes.

jenofur · Dec 2, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by MamaChef <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282805/protein-requirements#post_16085834"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
 
I make my own seitan and so highly recommend it proteinwise! 
 
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Crystalyn <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282805/protein-requirements#post_16085607"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
Do these taste like or have the texture of meat? I'd like more ready-made protein options, but just can't handle them if they are similar to meat... it's a BIG mental block.
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jenofur <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282805/protein-requirements#post_16085570"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I'm a vegan and one of the things i'll eat especially on days when i'm just not feeling great and not eating too much are Field Roast Sausages. One sausage has anywhere from 23-25 grams of protein and they are DELICIOUS! <a href="http://www.fieldroast.com/fieldroast_sausages.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.fieldroast.com/fieldroast_sausages.pdf</a>
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 YES to making your own seitan! I make my own all the time and it really is a great protein.
 
As for the Field Roast I don't find them meat like at all. BUT I also haven't eaten a real sausage or meat anything in many many many years.

WeAreAllOne430 · Dec 2, 2010

WOW..thanks everyone for your suggestions and support!! <img alt="rocks.jpg" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/rocks.jpg" style="width:85px;height:52px;">
 
I am lacto ovo so I usually rely heavily on eggs..but I am not a huge milk drinker. With my last pregnancy I would do soy protein shakes every morning but I really don't want to do as much soy this time as I did last time...but perhaps it wouldn't hurt to do one every once in awhile.
I have been having yogurt ..but my diet has been horrible lately. Need to go shopping...mostly been eating grains/carbs UG
I guess it's finding the time to eat during the day..working from home is like a double-edged sword. I think I took much better care of myself when I was actually working in the office. Go figure!
 
I really appreciate the feedback and glad that I am not the only one that may be having issues reaching the recommended amount. I know getting enough is sooo important for both development and prevention of many pregnancy related issues (including eclampsia) so I really need to crack the whip on myself and start making it matter MUCH more than I currently am.

MrsBone · Dec 4, 2010

Not that I can even eat seitan, but how do you make it? I wonder if you can make it gluten free

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