Pregnant Natalie Portman Gives Up Veganism
Yes, it is possible to be healthy, pregnant and vegan. But still, Oscar winner and famous vegan Natalie Portman is not one to let her strict diet get in the way of pregnancy cravings.
The Oscar-winning actress, who is expecting her first child with fiance Benjamin Millepied, revealed that she's no longer a vegan.
"I actually went back to being vegetarian when I became pregnant, just because I felt like I wanted that stuff," the 29-year-old said during an interview with Atlanta's Q100 Bert Show (via UsMagazine.com).
So what finally did her in?
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"If you're not eating eggs, then you can't have cookies or cake from regular bakeries, which can become a problem when that's all you want to eat," she revealed. "I actually wanted eggs at the beginning and then they grossed me out after awhile."
Vegetarianism can have many health benefits for Portman and her baby. Vegetarian sources of protein are easier on the kidneys, and being a vegetarian can help prevent tooth decay -- a common problem during pregnancy.
The health-minded actress, who dropped an insane 20 pounds while preparing for her Black Swan role, may want to pay particularly close attention to vitamins and minerals. "All pregnant women need additional iron, calcium, folate, essential fatty acids such as DHA, zinc, protein, and 200 to 300 calories more than pre-pregnancy," says Martha K. Grodrian, RD, a nutrition therapist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
Another added bonus to going vegetarian during pregnancy: Fewer junk-food cravings.
RELATED: Your Guide to the Pregnancy Diet
Did you experience similar cravings while pregnant? Tell us!
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