Veg, pregnant, and craving meat

[Aerynne]

Anyone else had this problem? I don't want to give in. I have eaten meat during all of my other pregnancies. But I really don't want to this time.

It's one thing to resist cravings for sugary junk I don't need (although I honestly am not all that good at that, either, but if it were causing someone suffering like meat does, then I wouldn't want to). But I am eating dairy and eggs. And I know they cause suffering, too (though my eggs come from chickens from a guy I know and they are truly happy chickens). But I really would rather be vegan. I also worry about eating too much soy, especially if it's a boy, which, with these cravings, is somewhat likely.

There is part of me that wonders if I need meat or would at least do better with it. I am not anemic- my hematocrit is 40. I don't want to deprive my baby of anything he/she needs. Also I am super tired, but that's probably from being pg and eating far more junk food than usual, just because I can stand the thought of it.

I did find this article I liked http://www.vegfamily.com/vegan-pregn...y-cravings.htm

[itzj]

Anytime I craved it, I upped my protein. Eggs, cheese, beans, lentils, tofu etc. I ate lots of greens too. And I indulged my sugar needs.

[Aerynne]

Originally Posted by itzj

Anytime I craved it, I upped my protein. Eggs, cheese, beans, lentils, tofu etc. I ate lots of greens too. And I indulged my sugar needs.

Did upping your protein help the cravings?

I was just craving a big bowl of green beans so I figured I'd better indulge that one. They were delicious. I might just need more real food and less processed food. Processed fod is so easy to eat with m/s, though.

[itzj]

It did help. I'm not really a protein person, in general I eat a lot of pasta. So I just let the craving be an indicator of when I needed protein.

You wouldn't believe the amount of citrus I ate.

[Aerynne]

Out of curiosity, did you have a boy in that pg? I craved citrus, salad, and steak with ds. Craving the same things again.

[itzj]

Yeah, boy in the most recent one. With dd I had meat aversions, although I was still eating it back then. I still majorly craved sweets with both of them though. Most of my other aversions and cravings were the same as my girl, minus the meat. Oh and my meat cravings started more once I came out of the worst of the ms.

[Barefoot Bookworm]

I upped my protein as well with my other ones and with this last baby, I caved once because I REALLY wanted bacon.

[itzj]

Originally Posted by Lexi

I upped my protein as well with my other ones and with this last baby, I caved once because I REALLY wanted bacon.

I had to give myself some ethical pep talks after smelling it.

[Aerynne]

Originally Posted by itzj

I had to give myself some ethical pep talks after smelling it.

I'm definitely giving myself a lot of ethical pep talks right now.

[flowermama]

I was vegan during my fourth pregnancy, and I can't remember having any cravings (meat or otherwise), so I'm not sure what to suggest except to try comfort foods that are veg and perhaps meat substitutes sometimes. Also, well, maybe potatoes, fried, baked, or mashed? . . . I don't know if they work for anyone else, but for some reason potatoes are especially satisfying to me. Maybe because they are at least part of the meat and potatoes equation. haha!

Have you read any books about being pregnant and veg? Reading one might be encouraging and helpful to you. I've read that this one is good (it's about being vegan and pregnant):
http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Veg...0080260&sr=8-1

[Aerynne]

I am really loving potatoes right now! Of course my favorite way to eat them is with cottage cheese.

I haven't actually read a book about it. I always figured since I knew the nutrition side, I didn't need to. But a book might discuss the psychological side as well. . .