Counseling the pregnant vegetarian

Underlying any successful counseling effort must be an understanding of the acceptable and unacceptable foods of the particular person being counseled, with the recognition that nutrient needs may be met in many ways. This knowledge base necessary for successful counseling along with an understanding of other lifestyle practices that may have an impact on health will be difficult to develop unless rapport is established. Nonjudgmental, accepting attitudes on the part of the health professional are essential to the development of relationships with those individuals who may be suspicious of traditional medical and health-care practices. Strategies for counseling with particular attention to the vegetarian are noted.