Suppliments

One question I frequently get is, "Do you take a pre-natal vitamin?"

Most of the information I've seen lately, say it is better to eat a healthy diet and get your vitamins from the food you eat. I think, particularly on a raw diet, it is easy to get the vitamins you need, because you aren't destroying them in the cooking process. However, it takes time to make sure you are covering all your bases.

Here are some of the areas of concern for a raw vegan:

B12
Vit.D
Probiotics
Omega Fatty Acids

For B12 and probiotics, I eat fermented foods, like vegetarian Kim Chee. Also for B12, I eat Spurilina.
For Vitamin D, I don't use sunblock and get some sun.
For Omega's, nuts and seeds, like flax seed.

Much of this is still debated, so it's an individual decision.

If cows are healthier if they are free range and eat grass and not as much grains, so should we.
How is it that they get their calcium?
Chimps diet is composed mostly of green leaves and fruit. (Green Smoothie book by Victoria Boutenko).


Two things I will do differently with baby#3...
1. Not be so eager to feed solid foods
2. Nurse for longer

B12 and cholesterol are very important for a growing brain and baby. Breast milk will supply those necessary nutrients if the mother eats well and if the baby gets breast milk for a long enough period of time.

How long should you nurse? La Lache League says for 3 yrs. When I first heard that 6 yrs. ago, I felt the same way. But now, I'm older and wiser, and see that for a vegan baby, that's a must! Hay, it's not like they have to be attached to your boob. You could just have a feeding in the morning or one at night. Or you could pump and put the breast milk in a sippy cup. The most I nursed my other kids was 1 yr, so for me it will be quiet a jump. But at least I'll have the peace of mind that she is getting the nutrients she needs for the rest of her life!