Vegetarianism became popular in Russia years ago. However, a majority
of Russian nutritionists and gynecologists believe that this diet is
not suitable for Russians and absolutely contraindicated for pregnant
women. This is caused by the lack of protein-rich vegetables growing in
Russian climate conditions. Would pregnant vegetarians have to start
eating meat?
Lack of vegetarian tradition in Russia is caused by
the climate. Vegetarianism is a fashionable trend borrowed from the
warm East where climate is completely different.
Traditional medicine recognizes vegetarianism, but
only as a temporary diet prescribed to improve health. This diet is
only suitable for healthy adult people, since during religious Lent
children, sick people, and pregnant women were allowed to stick to
their regular diets.
Vegetarianism is harmful for pregnant women because
foods of animal origin rich in protein, vitamins B and D, calcium,
iron, and zinc, are required for the development of a healthy fetus.
Without these elements, a fetus may develop intrauterine degeneration
which could lead to serious consequences.
Even if a woman feels terribly sorry for cows and
pigs, by the fifth month of pregnancy she has to pull herself together.
According to OB/GYNs, this is the time when the fetus starts its rapid
growth and needs 3.4 ounces of protein a day, with 60% of it coming
from animals.
No matter how many various types of fresh fruits and
vegetables a woman’s diet includes, her body would still lack iron.
Iron contained in vegetables is not easily digested. In order to obtain
the same amount of protein you would obtain by eating four ounces of
meat, you would have to eat four pounds of apples. No pregnant woman is
capable of eating four pounds of apples, while everyone can eat a small
piece of boiled meat.
Iron is one of the most important elements. Lack of
iron leads to anemia (lowered level of hemoglobin), which means that a
pregnant woman’s tissues and growing fetus will not get sufficient
supply of oxygen.
Anemia may be caused by deficit of vitamin В 12 contained
only in animal products. Essential amino acids can also be found in
animal products only. Human body cannot synthesize them and must obtain
them from elsewhere. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.
They are essential at the stage of rapid fetus growth.
Vegetarian diet does not provide necessary amount of
calories, provided cakes and pastries are not a large part of such a
diet. An attempt to gain 2,500 calories a day from vegetarian food may
result in unpleasant sensations in the stomach, let alone other serious
consequences. It can lead to possible issues at a ferment level when
vegetarian food is not digested for both mothers and their babies.
Pages: 12
Join Pravda.ru forum to experience freedom of speech