Vegetarians turning to meat!??

Question

I have been vegetarian for almost 10 years, except I eat some fish.  Since becoming pregnant though, I'm really turned off to the idea of eggs and fish.  I can't eat them.  I'm trying to eat nuts and beans to get my iron, but I have been craving steak.  And I'm worried it's because I am low on iron. I have thought about eating it, because if I need it for the baby, then I need it.... But I really don't want to get sick from eating meat again.  I have read that your body "forgets how to metabolize meat" after keeping it out of your diet for so long. I became a vegetarian because of the way animals are treated, but I guess I feel if my baby needs it then I can go against that for now.  Any other vegetarians have this problem??  And what did you do????

Answer

Ask your doctor to check your blood for iron or other deficiencies. It could just be a hormonal craving (we know those aren't always logical) but it could also be a deficiency which needs to be identified. I'm veg too, for almost 10 years now, and I wouldn't do it.

Answer

I've been a vegetarian for 17 years, and I was a vegan for 6 before I got pregnant and started eating eggs again (I'm allergic to nuts and develop an aversion to beans. Unless they're mashed up like in refried beans or hummus. It made protein hard to come by). Despite all that time meat free, the second my morning sickness calmed down and my appetite came back this week, I've been day dreaming about meat! I don't think I even know how to cook it. My husband (also a vegetarian) is very supportive and even said he'd go back to eating meat with me if I chose to and wanted support. I'm still so conflicted though.

Answer

They say if your craving meats or cheeses your having a boy ;) just an old wives tale x

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Before my first I was a vegetarian for 4 years. But when I got pregnant all I wanted was meat. I gave in by the 2nd trimester it didn't make me anymore sick than I already was x

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I can't imagine you really would want a steak if it was put in front of you after so many years... My midwife said most veggies she sees have better iron levels than their counterparts as they monitor what they eat better-perhaps try some meat substitutes to satisfy the craving before baby gets their first taste of meat?? X

Answer

gotta give in to those cravings, diffently believe it's your body's way of saying you need it. I look at it this way you would give up your most beloved things because it's best for your growing baby, that's pretty much the same thing. I was drinking green tea when I first become pregnant and all of a sudden it started making me feel funny afterwards. then I read that it keep important nutrients from going to the baby. your body is a funny thing and had its funny little ways to tell you what it needs or don't

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I was a vegetarian (less eggs and fish) for 5 years prior to getting pregnant and all I could think about was meat. It's the same with this pregnancy, I don't want anything else! I couldn't help but think that the baby needed it so I ate it. I didn't get sick. Do what you feel is best for you and your baby :)

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Bethany, I ate chicken during my pregnancy and during nursing. My doctor recommended at least one serving per day because I was feeling so sick and horrible. I didn't get sick at all. I did what I had to do and had a great, healthy pregnancy.

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I'm not a vegetarian but I love Morningstar farms brand of imitation meats especially the sausages!

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It's normal.. Maybe it is an iron thing.. But I crave steak to! I don't eat hardly any meat.. Fish sometimes.. And chicken rarely! But it's because we need the proteins and such. Maybe talk to your doc about taking iron supplements or eat more spinach (for iron and protein) because going that long without meat.. You will most likely only yak it up :( ew. I been trying to find ways to get what I need to.