If you had told me five years ago that I’d be pregnant and turning down bacon, cheese, and milkshakes, I would have laughed all the way to the drive-thru. But here I am—a proud mama, a vegan, and yes, someone who made the (apparently controversial) decision to stay plant-based during my pregnancy.
Spoiler alert: my baby is thriving. And I didn’t sacrifice my values, health, or flavor to get here.
This blog might ruffle a few feathers. And that’s okay. Because sometimes, doing what’s best for you and your baby means challenging what everyone else says is “normal.”
Let’s talk about it.
“But You’re Eating for Two!”
The first time someone threw this gem at me, I was five weeks pregnant and sipping on a green smoothie. I remember it vividly because it was followed by a concerned side-eye and the whispered warning: *”Make sure you eat some real protein, sweetheart.”
Oh, the unsolicited advice.
The phrase “eating for two” is cute and catchy, but it’s often used as a free pass to overeat, overindulge, or overconsume foods that aren’t doing our bodies (or our babies) any favors. And if you’re not doing it the “traditional” way (aka meat, dairy, and all the cheese fries), people act like you’re putting your unborn child in danger.
But here’s the truth: eating for two doesn’t mean eating twice as much. It means eating smart.
And for me, that meant leaning into a whole food, plant-based lifestyle—something that had already changed my energy, digestion, and mood long before I was pregnant.
The Day I Said Goodbye to Pregnancy Guilt (and Hello to My Gut)
Let me paint a picture: I was eight weeks pregnant, bloated, nauseated, and basically living off crackers and ginger tea. Then one day, I tried a lentil and sweet potato stew with turmeric and kale—simple, earthy, nourishing. And I felt amazing.
My gut (literally) was telling me: this is what you need.
But of course, when I shared my vegan pregnancy on social media, I got hit with a wave of DMs: “Aren’t you worried about protein?” “How will your baby get enough iron?” “My doctor said vegan diets are risky during pregnancy.””
Here’s the thing—being vegan while pregnant is not dangerous. But being uninformed can be.
So I got informed. I read the studies. I talked to plant-based dietitians. I tracked my nutrients. And I learned just how much fear is rooted in outdated nutrition beliefs.
The Top 5 Myths I Got Told—and Why They’re Totally Wrong
Let’s break these down, shall we?
1. “You can’t get enough protein without meat.”
Oh, sweet friend. I got plenty. Between lentils, tofu, quinoa, beans, tempeh, seeds, and yes, my beloved smoothies, I hit my daily protein goals easily. Sometimes I was eating more protein than I did pre-pregnancy.
2. “You’re going to be low in iron and B12.”
Iron? Totally manageable. I paired iron-rich foods like spinach and lentils with vitamin C sources (hello, oranges!) to boost absorption. B12? I took a high-quality supplement. No drama. No deficiency.
**3. “Your baby will suffer without dairy.”
My calcium came from plant milks, tahini, almonds, greens, and fortified cereals. Turns out, calcium doesn’t only live in cheese. Shocking, I know.
**4. “Your cravings are telling you that your baby wants meat.”
Our cravings can be emotional, hormonal, or based on habit. I craved salty chips and watermelon—not a cheeseburger. And when I wanted comfort, I made my grandma’s vegan tomato soup and homemade sourdough.
**5. “You’re being selfish by pushing your beliefs on your baby.”
This one hurt. But I reminded myself: every parent makes choices. Some go paleo, some go keto, some go drive-thru daily. I chose a compassionate, intentional path rooted in health and values. That’s not selfish. That’s called parenting.
The Power of Owning Your Choice
I’m not writing this to convince you to go vegan while pregnant. I’m writing this because if you want to, you absolutely can. And you can do it confidently, without the fear-mongering, without the shame, and without letting someone else’s version of “healthy” override your intuition.
Here’s what helped me own this path:
- I surrounded myself with plant-based resources: books, communities, and professionals who got it.
- I tracked key nutrients like B12, iron, choline, omega-3s (hi, flax and chia!), calcium, and protein.
- I gave myself grace when I had rough days. Not every meal was Instagram-worthy.
- I reminded myself why I chose this in the first place: compassion, health, sustainability, and raising a child who starts life connected to all of that.
My Doctor Wasn’t Sure at First Either
Yup, let’s talk about this.
My OB had never had a vegan pregnancy patient before. She gave me a curious look at my first appointment and asked a lot of questions. But once I showed her my food journal, supplement list, and bloodwork results—she backed off.
By the third trimester, she was even asking me for smoothie ideas.
Advocating for myself wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it. And it taught me a lot about how conditioned even medical professionals are to push meat and dairy as the gold standard.
What I Ate in a Day (Because You Know You’re Curious)
Here’s a typical day in my second trimester:
Breakfast:
- Smoothie with almond milk, banana, spinach, flax, oats, hemp seeds, and pea protein
- A slice of avocado toast with cherry tomatoes and everything bagel seasoning
Lunch:
- Chickpea salad sandwich on sprouted bread
- Roasted carrots and hummus on the side
Snack:
- Almond butter with apple slices
- A few squares of dark chocolate (because joy matters)
Dinner:
- Red lentil curry with coconut milk, broccoli, and rice
- Side of cucumber salad with lemon-tahini dressing
Evening:
- Chamomile tea and a handful of walnuts
This wasn’t about restriction—it was about nourishment. And when you approach food from a place of love and trust, your body and your baby respond.
A Word for the Pregnant Vegans-to-Be
If you’re reading this because you’re curious, questioning, or secretly hoping someone else has done it so you can finally stop hiding your own vegan pregnancy cravings… I see you.
You’re not reckless. You’re not irresponsible. You’re incredibly brave.
You’re saying no to the noise and yes to your body, your baby, and your truth. That’s revolutionary.
So whether you’re fully vegan, mostly plant-based, or just exploring… you’re allowed to honor that instinct.
There is more than one way to grow a healthy baby. And no, they don’t all require burgers, bacon, and twelve pounds of cheese.
Final Thoughts (Before the Comment Section Blows Up)
Look, I’m not saying this path is for everyone. But I am saying it’s possible, it’s powerful, and it deserves to be part of the conversation.
And maybe, just maybe, by sharing our stories, we give other women permission to trust themselves, challenge the myths, and redefine what a “healthy pregnancy” really looks like.
So yeah, I skipped the milkshakes. I skipped the meat.
But what I didn’t skip? The joy, the nourishment, and the deep sense of alignment that comes from knowing I stayed true to myself every step of the way.
And if that makes me controversial? Then pass the tofu.
Have you had a plant-based pregnancy or are considering one? Let’s talk about it in the comments. The more we share, the more we shift the narrative.
Kristyn Medeiros 