Too much protein?

[xconformist]

Okay, so...i think it is really funny that the majority of people think vegans don't get enough protein, because i just realized i am getting WAAAY to much!

This is my first pregnancy, and i am carefully charting everything i eat via www.fitday.com to ensure i am getting all my vitamins/minerals, etc. Anyway, I realised that i am getting about 80-100g of protein a day! I should only be getting about 67 tops, so does anyone have any suggestions?

I mean, protien is in everything! It's not like i munch on fake meats all day long, lol. I just am worried that i'll be harming my baby *frowns*

Thanks!

[frenchie]

Well, from what I've learned, it's important to get 75-100g of protien a day while pregnant. This is what I was taught in my Bradley Birth classes. Studies have shown that women who get 75g min a day have a 0% chance of pre-eclampsia/toxemia. Those studies were conducted my Dr. Bradley himself, along with another Dr. (can't remember his name) At any rate, they recommend animal products of course, but don't shun vegetarian/vegan diets either. They just stress the importance of proper nutrition, including enough protien. Just my 2 cents.

[xconformist]

Well, i just made an appt. with WIC (that is a place that helps low income people out with food, etc.). I get to meet with a RD on Friday and discuss my eating. I"m a little worried what they'll say about me being vegan, but i know what i am doing is healthy...so whatever. But i will ask them what they say about protein.

Registered Dieticians have much much more authority on what is safe amounts to eat, etc, over Medical Dr. Most Doctors only take 2 hours of nutrition, which hardly qualifies them to tell me what to eat!

[5xblessed]

That's too funny, I just charted today's diet on fitday. Let me warn you that a vegan diet is often considered a "risk factor". Just smile and go ahead and do what you know is healthy. And mention you use fortified with B-12 products, that will make the dietitian much happier :-)
Lisa

[xconformist]

Thanks! Oh, i am totally aware that the vegan diet is considered a risk factor. That worried me a bit, and i did decide not to tell the RD's that i was vegan, but then they told me i had to record ALL my food for a day and bring it in to show the RD! So i mentioned i was vegetarian and allergic to dairy (which isn't totally a lie, i *am* lactose intolerant). I mentioned i used calcium fortified soy products, etc. etc.

Then the lady was all, "oohhh...our dieticians are gonna love you!"...but she sounded like she was being nice...not rude or sarcastic. I just hope that they'll let me get calcium fortified milk or soy cheese instead of dairy products! But either way, i still get the beans, peanut butter, juices and cereals!

[frenchie]

I found out the name of that Dr. I spoke of, his name is Thomas Brewer. Dr. Bradley and Dr. Brewer specifically studied nutritional needs for a pregnant women and growing fetus. I guarantee you the two of them had more than just a couple hours of education in that arena. Also, the opinion of a dietician is relative....my Bradley instuctor told me how she met a dietician that balked at the fact she breastfed her son for so long...he's only 18 months right now.
I don't believe for a minute that 80-100g is too much, nor do I believe it will harm your baby. Of course I'm only relating to my experience, and several friends that have followed the same diet.

[Attila the Honey]

I agree that it doesn't really sound like *too much*, at least not so much you have to worry about it being harmful. I think high protein diets can tax the kidneys, but that's more like atkins dieters that live on steak and bacon and eat 100s and 100s of grams of protein a day, not 20g extra.

But, I'd love to know HOW you get that much protein and what you eat!

I am a vegetarian and I never ate very much dairy etc. at all, but when I was about 5 months pregnant I really started having trouble with swelling and my BP shot up. I did some research and started eating the brewer diet (vegetarian style), which is about about 100g of protein a day. I no longer have *any* swelling and at my last visit my BP was 125/75, back in the normal range.

However, eating alot of protein has meant eating alot more dairy than I want. My eczema is suffering. I don't like all this dairy, in fact I've been vegan in the past and I try to at least lean more towards a vegan diet so this is a real pain.

for more info on the brewer diet: http://www.blueribbonbaby.org

[frenchie]

High protien foods.....nuts, raw wheat germ, beans, fortified cereals (Back to Nature has one with 12g per serving) soy yogurt...I wasn't vegan while I was pregnant, but I also ate eggs and a bit of cheese. Tofu is a great source of protien, fat and calcium. I made pudding, miso soup, "egg" salads and breakfst burritos with tofu. Give it a try!

[capersmama]

Thanks sooo much for posting the fitday.com site! My midwife was worried about my protein intake because of being vegan. I was flying blind there for a bit ..worrying about how much proteing I was actually consuming. I had NO idea how to figure it out in corolation to what I was actually eating.

According to the fit day site..I am actually easily consuming 100-115 grams of protein daily. WHEW! What a load has been taken off my shoulders :-)

Has anyone noticed if the proteing levels sound about right? I just want to make sure there aren't any oopses..lol

My midwife has suggested aiming for no less than 90 grams of protein a day.

Again.. www.fitday.com is a wonderful help. It breaks down the daily menu into calories (which I dont want to gain too much with this pregnancy..lol..I had JUST joined a weight loss group when I foundout I was pregnant..lol..I told dh he was affraid Id get too skinny so he had to stump my diet plan..lol) and all the other nutritional facts. WONDERFUL site! :-)

[capersmama]

Question..what is the recommended daily calorie intake for pregnancy?

[frenchie]

It's supposed to be 500 more than the daily recommended which is 1500-2000 I believe....so I would say 2000-2500 would be the recommended daily for a pregnant woman. I got about that...some days a bit more because of the occassional junk food (naughty naughty!!)