Organizing Your Life Through Your Pregnancy - Part 2
The third trimester can be a hectic time. You're running around trying to get everything ready for the big day. Read Monica's advice on how to stay organized during the end of your pregnancy.
"At this time we do not have an option for vegetarian meal planning. You can click on any item on the meal plan and select from some vegetarian options as a substitute." -- TANYA_BABYFIT - 11/26/2012 1:11:22 PM
"How do I set this up in my meal plan to not include meat?" -- CHANIAUTIMMARIE - 11/26/2012 11:41:13 AM
"Oh, I've learned that lesson the hard way! (I now make puddings from scratch with soymilk, and they set up fine.) The article has been amended." -- STEPF_BABYFIT - 7/7/2008 9:54:53 AM
"Don't use soy milk to make instant pudding - it won't set up! Trust me, mine just turned into soup :-(" -- SUNSHINE81 - 7/7/2008 12:05:02 AM
"There are usually vegetarian socieites with websites in most countires - certainly the UK & US - that have meal suggestions and advise on getting enough protein. Many Indians have been vegetarians for countless generations, and meat is not essential during pregnancy." -- WINTER_D - 1/20/2008 6:53:16 AM
"I am vegan and am eating soy. The follwing was taken from: http://www.soyfacts.com.au/faqs. html#12
A hypothetical concern has been raised about consuming soy during pregnancy due to the presence of naturally occurring isoflavones in soy foods. Under certain circumstances, isoflavones can provide weak oestrogen-like effects according to animal studies and research in human adults. However, it is important to understand that these substances are not real 'oestrogens' and there is no evidence that babies born to mums who consume soy regularly during their pregnancy have increased health problems.
When a pregnant woman includes soy in her diet, isoflavones cross the placenta and reach the developing baby - in the same way as other nutrients do - according to studies on Japanese1 and Indonesian2 women who regularly eat soy foods. This transfer of isoflavones occurs in both animals and humans. However, to put this into context, during pregnancy a baby in the uterus is bathed in a sea of estrogens coming from the mother, which are much more powerful than the isoflavones derived from soy foods. To guard against too much exposure, the foetus has high levels of a protein called alpha-fetoprotein. This protein strongly binds oestrogens and isoflavones to reduce their hormonal potency and keep the foetus protected3.
Women in Asia, as well as many vegetarians in western countries, have been including soy foods in their diets for centuries. These women don't stop eating soy when they become pregnant and they give birth to healthy babies with good long-term health statistics.
It is important that women eat a wide variety of nutritious foods during pregnancy. Including legumes, such as soybeans and soy foods, is one way to provide a good source of protein, fibre and minerals.
There is no evidence that eating soy foods during pregnancy will result in any harm to a developing baby. REFERENCES:
1. Dalais FS, Meliala A, Wahlqvist ML, Maternal and cord blood phytoestrogen levels in Indonesian women, Third International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease, Oct 31-Nov 3, 1999, Washington, DC, USA. 2. Adlercreutz H, Yamada T, Wahala K et al., Maternal and neonatal phytoestrogens in Japanese women during birth, Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:737-743. " -- MAGGIENSCOTTY - 1/22/2007 9:31:40 PM
"I have been a vegan for almost 3 years now. Along with the diet change I did a lot of cleansing so that I wouldn't pass anything to my baby. Meat and dairy products have a way causing certain conditions of the body that many people say to be hereditary, so I wanted to make it a point to change all that I can so that I can have a healthy child. Things like Exema, Asthma, bone deficiencies, or any deficiency for that matter, Jaundus, and on and on are caused because of the eating habbits of the mother. I think that if you are going to do soy, do it in moderation. Sometimes using tahini in the place of soy milk per se, you will get almost the same taste with more of a sesame swing to it. You have to be careful with this too though because it contains lots of oil. But maybe you can alternate. Soy is always a better alternative to milk because it doesn't cause heart disease and you know what you're getting. But try tahini with honey for shakes and smoothies, and even peanut butter!" -- TSIDEMAH - 9/21/2006 1:58:47 PM
"I ate a lot of soy with my last pregnancy - (i'm veggie too) and she was FINE! I plan on eating soy again - and NEED my Light Soy Milk in the mornings... I also heard, however, that there are risks for baby girls and ovarian problems in mothers who consumed too much soy... So i guess, to play it safe, i don't have an excess of soy every day, and try to include lot's of beans and other veggie/non soy proteins in my diet... " -- JENNYDOM - 9/18/2006 11:16:01 PM
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