Pregnant overweight vegetarian

Hello all.

I went to the doctor yesterday and had a blood pregnancy test done-positive!!

However, the doc suggested losing weight would help if I wasn't pregnant and expressed concern if I were to get pregnant. I am 5'8'' and 245 lbs.

I generally eat really well, but my body is really sensitive to sugar and gains weight quickly if I indulge.

How do I work on my weight while pregnant?

Any tips to avoid gestational diabetes?

Also, I am vegetarian. Anybody gone through a pregnancy vegetarian?

Thanks!
Christine

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Hi Christine

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!

It is never a good idea to try to lose weight when you are pregnant. Getting proper nutrition by eating lots of healthy protein and green veggies is essential for both you and your baby. The best thing is to eat at least 80 grams of protein per day to avoid pregnancy toxemia as well as 4-6 servings of green veggies a day along with plenty of healthy fats. Here is a great article about what to eat and how much

Being vegetarian limits your protein sources so it will be especially important for you to eat enough fish and eggs. Eating cold water fish like wild caught Soho salmon that is low in mercury as well as organic eggs from chickens that are allowed to free-range outside is especially important for you. I would also avoid tofu and other soy based protein since they contain estrogen-like hormones that may mess up your estrogen to progesterone hormone levels. Women are often already low in progesterone since we have so much estrogen in our environment. High estrogen and low progesterone is associated with miscarriage, something you may want to ask your doctor about.

Here are some tips for what to eat and why. Since you are having trouble with blood sugar, we suggest you try cutting out all the white stuff. Starches and sugar will cause your body to release too much insulin and your body may already be insulin resistant due to being overweight. Read Healthy Pregnancy Diet for more tips and links to great resources.


Gestational Diabetes can be a big deal. Here is an in-depth article about gestational diabetes that you should read. You can avoid it completely by controlling your blood sugar levels with a healthy pregnancy diet. This is always the best approach since keeping your blood sugar levels from fluctuating during pregnancy will help both you and prevent gestational diabetes complications for your baby.

Enjoy your pregnancy!

Hugs,
Arrington