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Long Time Vegetarian Prepares for Pregnancy

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Dear Savvy Vegetarian,

I have been a vegetarian for more then 15 years but I have just tipped the thirty mark and heading towards trying to have a baby. I need help on what type of supplements I should be taking not only because I am a vegetarian, but getting just a little older each day and again wanting to think about having a baby. I would like to think of eating better in general. Hope you can help. E.

Advice From Savvy Veg:

Dear E.,

If you've been a vegetarian for 15 years, and you're in good health now, you should be in good shape for it. On the other hand, if you were completely confident, you wouldn't have written. Obviously, you want to make sure that you are in good health now, by getting a thorough physical checkup, including blood tests for iron, folic acid and Vitamin B12 levels.

I'm not a big fan of dietary supplements being consumed daily, because I think they can be provided by our food in a more holistic, synergistic form, which is better absorbed and utilized by the body. However, not everyone agrees with that. If tests show that there is a deficiency in some area, short term use of supplements might be good.

To me, a key factor in good vegetarian nutrition is eating organic food. If you haven't gone organic, this would be a good time, to clean toxins from your body in preparation for pregnancy. I'm a very strong advocate of organic food. See What is Organic Food and Why Should We Eat It? My own experience, and that of many vegetarians I know, as well as the research I've seen, indicates that organic food has much higher levels of all nutrients, as well as better taste. Plus, you're not eating herbicides and pesticides.

There are other things besides eating organic food that will help to clean toxins from your body, and generally improve your health in preparation for pregnancy:

1. Herbal Supplements specifically for de-toxing, such as MAPI's Elim Tox
2. Herbal preparations such as those recommended by noted herbalists Susun Weed (The Childbearing Year) and Rosemary Gladstar (The Complete Family Herbal)
3. Exercise, such as walking, swimming and yoga practice
4. Drinking plenty of water (be sure to add trace minerals to R.O. water)
5. Eliminating processed foods, soda, caffeine, sugar, alcohol etc from your diet

Here are some recommendations for reading material and links:
Be Happy, Healthy And Vegetarian While Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Book Review: The Childbearing Year, by Susun Weed
This book is particularly good for herbal advice on preparing for pregnancy and getting pregnant, ie, fertility I also refer you to: Vegetarians, Are You Getting Enough Vitamin B12?

In the Resource section of Savvy Vegetarian, under Vegetarian Diet, in the books section, you'll find a review of 'Becoming Vegetarian' by Vesanto Melina et al, a very useful vegetarian nutrition reference for all vegetarians. Also in the SV Resource Section, under Women's Health are many references and reviews to articles, books, sites and magazines about childbearing and pregnancy.

Many women I know, from ages 18 to 40, have had healthy vegetarian pregnancies and have given birth to beautiful healthy children. That is what I want for you. I applaud you for being wise and caring enough to make sure that your body is ready for pregnancy. I wish you a blissful pregnancy and motherhood.

I would love to hear from you how things are going in the baby project. I have three grown daughters and three grandchildren, and the subject is dear to my heart.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions

Judy Kingsbury,

Savvy Vegetarian

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