My Plant-Based Family

So lets start at the beginning. My pregnancy.

Going into a pregnancy can be daunting and challenging in so many ways. Pregnancy while following a plant-based diet can present additional challenges. In my personal experience, most of the challenges stemmed from concerns and judgment from others.

I understand why people feel the need to be concerned, I really do. In our society, we are brought up to believe that we need meat and dairy to be strong and healthy. That a child needs meat and dairy to be strong and healthy. That a growing fetus needs the mother to eat meat and dairy to get the proper nutrients to grow normally. The big ‘protein’ word is frequently thrown around without it really being understood.

I have done a lot of research on the topic, and I hired a dietitian to guide me during pregnancy. If you are going through pregnancy, I would encourage you to do your own research and seek medical guidance as well.

Because, of course, we all want the same thing: for our growing baby to be as strong and healthy as possible.

In the beginning I experienced a lot of anxiety. Giving birth has always been daunting for me and I am someone who does not feel comfortable losing control of the situation, especially when it concerns by body.

Pregnancy and birth is all about losing control over the situation.

During my first trimester, I sought the help of an acupuncturist to alleviate my anxiety. It was my first experience with acupuncture, and I was already feeling anxious about my new pregnancy and nervous about being stuck with needles, which left me in a vulnerable state of mind.

Within the first few minutes of discussing my lifestyle and diet, it became quite clear she was not supportive of my decision to be plant-based throughout my pregnancy. She made comments such as “would you consider at least eating eggs and cottage cheese”. Instead of expressing my firm commitment to my decision, I told her I would consider it.

The point of this story is that people are always going to have their own opinion of the choices you make, especially during a pregnancy. It’s important for you to stick with what you believe and the guidance of your trusted healthcare team.

I am proud of myself for sticking with my beliefs and overcoming my fear of pregnancy and birth. I believe my overall health, including my dietary choices and daily exercise routine, contributed to my ability to relax into my pregnancy journey.

If you are seeking a dietitian to guide you through your plant-based pregnancy, I highly recommend Maya Bach. She helped me feel secure and at ease with my decision to stay plant-based. Maya provided valuable advice on enhancing my protein, healthy fat, and vitamin intake through simple adjustments to my meals. For more information, you can visit her website at http://www.mayabach.com and enter VEGAN15 to receive a 15% discount.

As mentioned earlier, I have done a fair amount of research on plant-based diets. I highly recommend the book Fiber Fueled by Will Bulsiewicz. You can find it on Amazon. This book is tailored for people with gut issues, but I believe it offers valuable insights for everyone. It also features some amazing recipes. If you are seeking a recipe book, the same author also has a fantastic cookbook available on Amazon.

Whole by T. Colin Campbell is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in understanding the research and studies related to a plant-based diet. The book provides easy-to-understand insights into why animal protein holds a prominent place in our diets. I would recommend taking the time to read it. Link to the book.

So, what are the most important things to consider when starting a pregnancy on a plant-based diet?

1. Maintain a diverse diet (explained below) with minimal processed foods, low sugar, and low sodium.
2. As with any pregnancy taking prenatal vitamins is important especially to increase folate intake. This brand is wonderful: Garden of Life Prenatal.
3. I found it useful to also take an iron supplement. Many women have a tendency to be deficient and pregnancy can take a toll or contribute to that. I particularly liked this one that includes vitamin C, as it aids in iron absorption: https://amzn.to/3MJnvv4.
4. Other nutrients such as B12, DHA, and Vitamin D may be recommended to you. Make sure you follow the guidance of a trusted doctor or dietician.

When I say diversity of foods, it is really simple: Eat the rainbow. You will get so many needed vitamins and minerals from eating a diverse variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains. This is another reason I like the book Fiber Fueled. The author talks extensively about “eating the rainbow” what vitamins are in what foods, and how to get the optimal nutritional value out of your foods. Seriously, the book is AMAZING.

“The single greatest predictor of a healthy gut microbiome is the diversity of plants in one’s diet.”
― Will Bulsiewicz, Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome

I also found it to be very beneficial to continue to exercise throughout my pregnancy. As long as you don’t have any complications and have doctor approval, staying as active as possible will keep your body strong and healthy. I continued to ride my bike, weight train, and rock climb.

Remember, the most important thing is to do what makes you feel healthy and strong. Everyone’s pregnancy is different and no matter what path you choose, there is almost certainly going to be ups and downs. Do your research, consult with a doctor or dietician, and if you feel like a plant-powered pregnancy is right for you, enjoy the journey!

Tiffani is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com