Question for vegetarians re cravings

[Minnie_me]

Hi all

Just wondered if any of you are having cravings for meat or fish. I have been vegetarian for about 10 years now - don't eat meat or fish - but over the past week I have been really craving a tuna mayo sandwich and the craving simply won't go.

I am sorely tempted to just try having one and see what happens (have had severe sickness so to be honest if there is something I want I do try and have it but this one is causing me a dilemma).

Has anyone else been in a similar position and if so what did you do? They say you crave what the baby needs so I am torn........

My other craving is golden delicious apples - easy!

Thanks for your replies

Sally xxx

 

[Jojo-Mummy]

Im not a veggie but I seen a thread about this some time back. Most woman were saying their craving meat/fish. Go with what your body is telling you, you need. And ENJOY

 

[forget me not]

By the time of my second pregnancy I had been veggie for over 15 years and all I could think about was chicken. I eventually gave in and had the best tasting chicken curry of my life! I never went back to being veggie because by the time the pregnancy ended I was hooked and I love to cook a roast dinner now. My friend also gave in to her cravings but went back to being veggie after the baby was born.
I'd say go with your gut instinct, there is no right or wrong in this situation. I doubt a craving is really what the baby needs otherwise people wouldn't crave coal and cotton wool and other such strange things!! xxx

 

[aob1013]

It's because your body needs protein. It needs it to grow your baby. Fish is good for brain development. It won't hurt, and buy some organic produce if that makes you feel a bit better. That's what we do xx

 

[M&S+Bump]

I'm a meat eater but my sis-in-law was veggie before becoming pregnant, and not only did she crave meat, she craved it in the most disgusting forms lol - burgers, sausages, pies etc. She just went with it and has not reverted back to 'full' vegetarian even after having had Sophie - she still eats mainly vegetarian food and doesn't eat much meat but does have fish and chicken quite regularly.

I'd say if the worst you want is tuna mayo (me too lol - can't get enough of it) then go for it.

 

[Natasha87]

Hi!
I wouldn't call myself a "full time" vegie, but I prefer veg option over meat. Anyway, since being pregnant my body has wanted to eat more meat so I go with it. As long as it's not processed meats etc it will do your body and the baby the world of good! Xxx

 

[Minnie_me]

Thanks ladies, I think I am going to give in to it. The way my taste buds are behaving I will probably want something totally different by the weekend so I am sure a couple of tuna sandwiches won't hurt!

 

[cherrybug]

Hi, I'm not vegetarian but most of my friends are. One of my friends craved fish when she was pregnant and ended up getting fish and chips regularly - which she totally enjoyed. She still doesnt eat meat but does still have the odd fish supper from time to time. Its a difficult shift if you've been a strict veggie for years but your body is obviously calling for it!

 

[hb1]

I have been full veggie for 17 years and considered going pesketarian for the protein from fish but tried a salmon dish and didn't like it - the taste or the texture - I think it might have been different if I was craving it tho.

Now I get my protein from nuts and pulses, egg ( perfect protein ) and cheese.

If it bothers you maybe look out for responsibly sourced tuna.

hx

 

[popat]

I hadn't touched meat for over 17 years but in my first trimester I really craved chicken. I gave in and had it once. Ever since then the thought of it makes me feel sick.

I think you should try your tuna mayo and see how you feel.

Good luck!

 

[KellyC75]

I think it really depends on why you are a Vegetarian

I have been a Vegetarian for 20 years now & love the smell of my Hubbys KFC....But would never, ever eat meat or fish again, no matter how strong my craving was

 

[PixieBelle]

Your body does tell you what it needs and I think bean's needs come first for all of us at the moment. I am a veggie and have had some cravings but I have been able to work out that it wasn't actual meat or fish I was craving but rather protein, fats and oils. So I topped up with extra things like eggs, pulses, nuts and avocado and have been fine since. But that's me, the idea of biting into tuna or chicken or any such thing makes me feel quesy so for me I had to figure out what bean needed and substitute. If you can eat it and feel good then why not!

 

[trumpetbum]

Do what makes you feel better.
In the long run if you will feel ok about it then it won't have done any harm in the grand scheme of things.
I personally just couldn't do it, like Kelly. I craved quarter pounders, so I made up a Quorn burger as close as I could and that helped. I craved bacon and had some Quorn bacon rashers instead.
I looked at my protein and iron intake to see what might be missing, reorganised my diet and since then haven't had any meat cravings. While your body doesn't need meat or fish to grow a healthy baby, listening to what your cravings are telling you can be important and find an alternative meat free source if you don't want to eat meat or fish. Your body has no idea you're a vegetarian

 

[Karmci]

Hiya,

Hubby and I have been full vegetarians for 2 yrs ( no meat including fish and dairy) and since becoming pregnant i have seriously been craving chicken. I tried to fight it for a while but i noticed i was really weak all the time. I spoke with someone who has his PHD in nutrition ( He is a strick vegetarian) and he informed me that the cravings r due to what my body is lacking. He gave me advice for alternatives to chicken. But didn't tell me to stay away from it, just cautioned about the bad fats associated with meat eating.

So long story short, i started eating chicken. Now i notice i don't crave it so much and will choose tofu or tvp over it any day. Go with what ur body tells u. However, for omega 3's avocados r a better choice to fish and the fat in them r healthly fats like in nuts.

Hope this helps

 

[pinkneon]

Hi all

Just wondered if any of you are having cravings for meat or fish. I have been vegetarian for about 10 years now - don't eat meat or fish - but over the past week I have been really craving a tuna mayo sandwich and the craving simply won't go.

I am sorely tempted to just try having one and see what happens (have had severe sickness so to be honest if there is something I want I do try and have it but this one is causing me a dilemma).

Has anyone else been in a similar position and if so what did you do? They say you crave what the baby needs so I am torn........

My other craving is golden delicious apples - easy!

Thanks for your replies

Sally xxx

Hi. Yes I often have cravings for meat. To be honest I have given into this craving a few times which makes me feel so guilty but also seems to help with sickness!! Protein is really good for sickness for some reason ...!

 

[winterleaves]

I've just been eating lots of Quorn fillets for protein! Luckily I Haven't really had any cravings, though I still wouldn't eat meat even if I did. I know plenty of veggies that have stuck to a veggie diet throughout pregnancy and had healthy babies.

Just do whatever you are comfortable with. xx

 

[KellyC75]

I know plenty of veggies that have stuck to a veggie diet throughout pregnancy and had healthy babies.

I had my 1st Son 18 years ago & was Veggie, he weighed over 8lb

My 2nd Son weighed nearly 10lb

Both very healthy....

 

[pinkneon]

My doctor did tell me that eating meat (but not red meat) might be good for me and my cravings but also cos my iron levels keep getting too low - even with iron tablets - so for me that is part of the reason I have been eating meat ...

 

[starrybean]

I think it really depends on why you are a Vegetarian

I have been a Vegetarian for 20 years now & love the smell of my Hubbys KFC....But would never, ever eat meat or fish again, no matter how strong my craving was

I am in the same boat, there are times where the smell of something with meat in has smelt so nice, but I could never bring myself to eat meat again.

It's totally up to you though and how you would feel afterwards

 

[Water Baby]

I was veggie for years until about a year ago when I met my bf and started for a food manufacturer. I'd been made redundant previously, lost a business and was really on my uppers. It was actually cheaper for me to eat meat that I could purchase from work.

I still only eat meat but do feel it gives me a better balanced diet for bubs. I really don't think I could of stuck being veggie and pregnant.

Even when I was a strict veggie I still ate fish.

Have a tuna sarnie, we wont tell ;o)