Pregnant vegetarian told no sugar of any kind! What can I make me and my family for dinner?

Question

Apparently no sugar means no sugar substitutes or white flour also. Am totally stumped.

Apparently this means no sugar of any kind, including substitutes or white flour. My doctor says my adrenals are overstressed and I need to cut out sugar, at least for now. I can still eat fruit, so I'm assuming natural sugars are ok.

Answer 1

Why were you told no sugar of any kind? If that also includes naturally occuring sugars like dextrose, that's completely unhealthy and near impossible.

Answer 2

Thats not true you can use natural subsitutes. You can also do without sugar and flour by stir frying vegetables, Cooking lentiloes, beens etc

Answer 3

You may need to cook separate meals for yourself and your family. I have to do this for myself and my husband. Why should he have to change his diet? The first two weeks will be tough, but your body will get used to not having any sugar. Make yourself lowfat meals: salads, soups, chicken, salmon, pastas (wheat pasta), fruits that are low in sugar, there's so much you can eat.

Answer 4

Told no sugar by whom? A Doctor? That's kind of strange.

Answer 5

How about steamed brown rice with olive oil and nutritional yeast, tofu...or scramble some eggs and add the rice into it with a little bit of cream cheese, top with fresh chopped tomatoes and avocado....

Answer 6

salmon with butter on it a little garlic and some cajun seasoning wrap it in foil oven 400 for 40 min and garlic bread and veggie on the side yum

Answer 7

Fluid

You may find that you are more thirsty during pregnancy. This is natural as fluid intake should increase. Never allow yourself to become over thirsty and include plenty of fresh water, dilute fruit juices, milk (soya or cow's) and herb teas. Drinks containing caffeine (tea, coffee and cola) should be limited and alcohol should be avoided altogether if possible.

Protein

Increased protein needs in pregnancy are usually met simply by the extra calories from more foods. Protein can be found in milk, cheese, eggs, soya milk, tofu, cereals, nuts and pulses. A normal variety of these foods will provide adequate protein.

Intake of dairy products and eggs should not increase dramatically. Some people believe that excessive amounts may sensitise the baby in the womb to allergies towards these foods.

Iron

The need for iron is increased during pregnancy, especially during the later stages. Anaemia, due to iron deficiency, is common in pregnancy whether you are vegetarian or not. Vegetarians should be especially careful to include plenty of iron in their diet as vegetable sources are not as well absorbed.

Good vegetarian sources of iron can be found in wholegrain cereals, pulses, green vegetables and dried fruits. Iron absorption is increased if taken with a good source of vitamin C, which can be found in fresh fruit and vegetables. Tea contains tannin which can inhibit iron absorption and should not be taken an hour before or after a meal.

Many doctors routinely prescribe iron tablets for pregnant women. Iron tablets may not be needed unless a blood test demonstrates anaemia. Iron levels normally decrease during pregnancy as the blood becomes more dilute. Some women prefer to take a natural iron supplement, such as Floridix, which is available from health food stores.

Calcium and Vitamin D

The body needs extra calcium during pregnancy, especially in the later stages, to enable the baby's bones to develop. Calcium absorption from the gut is more efficient during pregnancy and this should provide enough to meet requirements. Vegans and vegetarian women who consume few dairy products need to be particularly careful to ensure adequate calcium in the diet. Some vegan women, especially if they intend to breast-feed, may decide on a calcium supplement as a wise precaution, although with a good vegetable intake of calcium, it may not be necessary.

Good sources of calcium include green vegetables, almonds, sesame seeds or tahini, cow's milk, tofu, cheese, yoghurt, wholegrain cereals and pulses.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and can be obtained from sunlight, margarine and dairy products.

Folate

Folate is one of the B vitamins needed in increased amounts during pregnancy. Research has shown that a deficiency of folate during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Vegetarians should not be at risk as the best sources of this vitamin are green leafy vegetables, fruit, peanuts, yeast extract and wholegrain cereals.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential to the growth and development of your baby. If adequate amounts of dairy products, eggs and fortified yeast extract are included in your diet, then you should have enough vitamin B12. It is especially important for vegans to include a reliable source of vitamin B12 in the diet during pregnancy. Some vegan foods, such as certain brands of soya milk, margarine and soya products are fortified with this vitamin. If the vitamin B12 in your diet is unreliable, then a supplement is recommended.

Answer 8

how about dirt and water

Answer 9

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