I am a vegetarian and just became pregnant. how do i get my protein in? are proteins shakes safe? i am 35. i have also stopped drinking coffee today.

Nutritionist: For something this important - I would encourage you to work with a nutritionist who is experienced with vegetarian diets. If you have a high caffeine intake - tapering off may be more comfortable. Congratulations.

Many choices: Protein shakes are safe. There are many sources of protein in vegetarian diets. Beans, brown rice, broccoli, spinach, even bagels. The normal protein requirement is 0.8 gm/Kg of body weight daily; perhaps 1.0 gm in pregnancy. There are a number of lists and protein-containing recipes online. You and the baby can be very healthy on a vegetarian diet.