Agghh, Nutrition...why did I look on fitday...am I nuts!

[Lay-Lay]

Howdy folks!

I suspect I may be pregnant. I am not 100% raw at this time, but I am near 100% raw. I have been adding a food item that is high in vitamin D and B-12 so as to be sure and get these.

I am trying to think for 2 not just my own raw foodiest self. I am well aware of ones who did 100% raw their entire pregnancy, but what about the 2 items I mentioned. I know sunlight is the best source for vitamin D, but it is winter now and well I am not laying out in this cold weather. Can I take a B-12 supplement and/or shot while pregnant?

Sigh....any suggestions are appreciated!

Also anyone who knows some SUPER sources for calcium that would be super. I have been eating large amounts kale, but still having trouble getting in calcium. Oh wait I just remember sesame seeds are good...I think. :confused:

Thanks and much raw love! :p

[Veganforlife]

Hey WOW! Congrads!!! Awwwww, a little Lay-lay - how cool is that?
Check this out:
http://dfwnetmall.com/veg/plantfoodshighcontentcalcium.htm

[Veganforlife]

How do you get enough calcium without milk products?

First of all, dairy products do not provide sufficient calcium. The countries with the highest dairy consumption are the ones with highest osteoporosis also! All dairy products are extremely acidifying in the body. Dairy is one of the most acidic foods on the PH scale. Calcium is the number one mineral the body uses to buffer against excess acidity, and there is just never enough calcium in any dairy you can eat to offset the acid-producing effect it has. Therefore, you wind up losing calcium when you eat dairy products, not gaining it, as it combines with the acids to remove them from the body. This is the explanation behind the interesting fact that all the countries which consume a lot of dairy also have a high incidence of osteoporosis and other calcium-deficiency related diseases.

On a raw food diet you get lots of calcium from various vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables such as kale, and also broccoli and sesame seeds,. This calcium is very bioavailable, and these foods are alkaline-producing, so the body can actually use the calcium it gets from them.

taken from: http://www.healthfree.com/raw_food_faq.html

[Lay-Lay]

Thank you veganforlife, its not official yet, I just suspect, you know! Anyway, you don't have any info on Vitamin D and B-12. I printed that list you provided. That is going to come in handing. Thank you!

[Sharon in Colorado]

Lay-Lay keep us posted! Perhaps soon you'll be having a little Lay-Lay-Layette!

[Lay-Lay]

Haha! I will!

[DeadNutrition]

Calcium: Dark green leafy vegetables, most nuts, and some other sources. (you might have to eat a lot of calcium-containing vegetables because sometimes it takes a while for these to absorb) Also, avoid foods high in phytic acid because this can attach to minerals like calcium and cause deficiency. Wheat is high in this but naturally-fermented yeast free breads contain 0 phytic acid; however, this isn't really raw.

Vitamin D - sunlight vitamin D can be stored in your liver for long periods of time.. I'm pretty sure it is fat soluble so make sure to eat fat - containing foods. Shiitake mushrooms (vitamin D2) contain this, most egg yolks, and some fish. You can buy purified fish oil (which I think contains no mercury, etc.) if you wish or you can also buy vitamin D3 capsules which are basically the same thing as the vitamin D in fortified milk. I'm pretty sure vitamin D is necessary for the proper absorbtion of calcium, so you should make sure you're getting this. Technically vit. D isn't really a "vitamin," it is more like a hormone.

Vitamin B-12 - meat, eggs, milk, fortified foods, some sea vegetables (although this is controversial.. I believe there are some bacteria obviously present inside the sea vegetable. However, most sea vegetables do contain heavy metals, which could harm a baby), barley grass, the Dang Gui herb, some insects (including termites.. but I doubt anyone is going to want to eat termites :p ) So, take your pick and eat whatever you feel comfortable with. IDK anything about shots, somebody else might know more about that than me.

BTW would that food item be eggs? That's the only thing I can think of with both D and b12.. (maybe shiitake mushrooms, though, not sure if those have b12 though) I actually do eat organic eggs, ostrich eggs, and even salmon eggs. It's all up to the person though; it agrees with me and I like them, so yeah. :D Eating insects is also a big thing where I came from, but I doubt anyone will agree with me on that one.

[Lunar*Fey]

If you are pregnant CONGRATS LAY-LAY!! That's very exciting. I get in about 1300-1700 mg of calcium a day according to fitday now. I have to be cautious about that too, being a growing teenager and all.
Here are some good sources that I enjoy whenever possible:

Poppy seeds (more than sesame seeds)
Kale
Oranges (also some other citrus fruits)
dandelion greens
sesame seeds, unhulled (I believe)
other dark leafy greens
figs (I like never get these but I love them and they are a source)
sea vegetables
broccoli, especially the stalks...they're the only part I like!

Also make sure you get your zinc! I would incorporate mushrooms and sea vegetables...I don't although I wish I could. A certain kind or two of mushrooms have a lot of zinc (important for growth/development, etc). Sprouted Legumes and grains have zinc if you eat them. Also nuts and seeds (poppy seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds I hear are especially higher)

[Kathy Fields]

If you think you are pregnant someone who I think might be about to help has the following site : http://www.attachmentscatalog.com/inspiration.html I came accross this site recently after hearing this lady in an interview talking about raw food and birththing. She would be able to advise you I'm sure on the stages of birth in relation to your diet.

Another brilliant site I just found yesterday put aside a lot of my fears about vitamin B12 and you can read a very comprehensive artical which references many sources on the following link:
http://www.living-foods.com/articles/b12issue.html

Hope this helps!