Tips for a Healthy Vegan Pregnancy

Obie Editorial Team

Choosing a vegan lifestyle takes time and detailed attention to foods and ingredients. It can take years to learn the ins and outs of living a healthy vegan lifestyle while maintaining a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. When pregnancy happens, it may seem like that vegan lifestyle is the best option, but remember your nutritional needs are different during pregnancy.  If veganism is the only choice for you, follow these simple tips to ensure a healthy pregnancy from start to finish. 

VegetablesChoose Quality Foods and Ingredients
Some vegan experts claim organic and non-GMO foods are the best choices for the vegan lifestyle, but not all non-GMO foods are labeled and organic foods are sometimes twice as expensive as non-organic alternatives. It is a better option to choose quality fruits and vegetables over limp, discolored options. Poorly cared for vegetables can carry listeria, a dangerous bacteria. Wash all fruits and vegetables before cooking or eating to promote safety. 

Think of Your Food as a Palette
Choose foods that are all over the rainbow. This ensures you're getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need. Potassium-rich foods are extremely important as potassium is needed to keep the body properly hydrated. Foods high in potassium include bananas and avocado. Dark, green, leafy vegetables are another fantastic vitamin source with tons of folic acid. 

Don't Forget the Healthy Fats
You need fat in your diet just like non-vegans, but how do you get the right fat without eating meat or dairy products? Olive oil and avocado are great sources of fats and fatty acids. You can also choose other vegan oils like grapeseed if desired. 

Balance Macronutrients
You have to eat protein, carbohydrates and fat, but not in the way you may think. Choose one healthy source of each per small meal. Eat every three hours to maintain energy and ensure you're getting enough protein,, which can be difficult for some vegans. A great source of vegan-friendly protein are beans. 

A vegan lifestyle takes a lot of work and that workload increases when you're pregnant. You can achieve a healthy vegan pregnancy with attention to detail and a lot of little meals every day.