[tracylt21]

I just saw the nutritionist yesterday...She indicated my protein intake is low and that it should be 60 g daily

I have been struggling with severe nausea and unable to stomach many foods...I generally follow veg diet...in the 3rd mo of my 1st trimester, I probably got only 20 g of protein...

Going forward, I'm gonna make sure that I meet the 60g of protein but I'm so worried that I did not get adequate protein during the 1st trimester (mostly the third month)...

Does anyone know about whether there could be potential damage to brain? I have taken mostly prenatal vitamin but missed some days due to extreme nausea

please help

[Rosario]

As a fellow vegetarian/vegan, when I decided to conceive I too was concerned about protein, but I think I found the solution, for me at least. Can you stomach smoothies? Put some light fruit in the blender along with some HEMP POWDER, which was lots of great protein, and SPIRULINA, which is one of the most absorbable, complete sources of protein known and was recommended by my midwife. If you can't find them at a local health food store you can online.

I started drinking a green smoothie in the morning with all kinds of goodies in it, and it seriously keeps me full until mid afternoon so it seems like i'm getting good protein. I just bought but haven't yet received "Vibrant Health, Green Vibrance" (ingredients here Vibrant Health, Green Vibrance, Version 9.0, 24.34 oz (690 g) - iHerb.com) because it had tons of great stuff in it and a pretty good amount of protein.

Now, I am definitely no expert, but I myself would not be "very worried" just concerned about protein intake, just do what you can to get it. There are many vegans out there who dispute the necessity of the very high intakes of protein during pregnancy that are typically recommended, and there are even women who only eat raw foods, basically produce, and have healthy babies. In my humble opinion, and others will disagree, your baby receiving a little less protein than recommended is certainly not worse than getting all those nasty hormones and pesticides from meat.

[journeybirth]

Originally Posted by tracylt21

I just saw the nutritionist yesterday...She indicated my protein intake is low and that it should be 60 g daily

I have been struggling with severe nausea and unable to stomach many foods...I generally follow veg diet...in the 3rd mo of my 1st trimester, I probably got only 20 g of protein...

Going forward, I'm gonna make sure that I meet the 60g of protein but I'm so worried that I did not get adequate protein during the 1st trimester (mostly the third month)...

Does anyone know about whether there could be potential damage to brain? I have taken mostly prenatal vitamin but missed some days due to extreme nausea

please help

My midwife always told me that whatever I could stomach during the first trimester was fine if morning sickness was bad. I wouldn't worry too much.

[vikingdoula]

The smoothie recommendation is great - and, while it is advisable to eat well (adequate protein) all through the pregnancy, 60 grams/day is probably o.k. for the first trimester. But by the time you get to 20+ weeks, your protein needs will be higher. Think about it: you're growing a baby. Tissue is built with protein. Inadequate protein intake puts you at risk for pre-eclampsia, which is a life-threatening condition - and almost always preventable through proper nutrition, more specifically, adequate protein intake. Once you get to 20+ weeks, do all you can to get a minimum of 80 grams/day. Every time you have a snack, include protein. Great snacks are almonds, hard boiled eggs, protein bars (watch ingredients), yogurt and cottage cheese (if you "do" dairy). Vegans have to be especially diligent to get adequate protein, but it CAN be done!