MOMs when and what do you eat?!

mirnb

Hi everyone...I'm having a hard time finding time/knowing what to eat! I ate like crazy while pregnant but I find I'm so busy with the boys and the day slips away and I've barely eaten! Any good quick snacks or meals that or your go to? Also my husband works shift work so when he's not home I don't feel like cooking a whole meal just for me! I know its important for me to stay healthy but I'm tired of trying to think up what to eat!

tootlebug

Well first of all I only cook once a week now. Unless its for my son. I'm too busy and tired at the end of the day now.

Secondly, sometimes I go whole days just having coffee in the am and then protein bars throughout the day....not ideal but not horrible either. Sometimes I don't eat a true meal until dinner. 

erinruns

I did oatmeal in the morning (which also is supposed to help milk production) quite a bit, or cereal or eggs.  I ate a lot of sandwiches for lunch, something quick and easy.  For snacking throughout the day, I had a lot of frozen foods that were quick and easy.  The egg/sausage/cheese jimmy dean sandwiches, the bagel things with the cream cheese in the middle, those sorts of things.  

Probably the most important is to have some snack ideas in your head, so that when you are hungry, you know what you can grab quickly. 

masked_rose86

While I try to eat healthy as a rule, some of that has gone out the window the last 5 months.  Luckily I am breast feeding and need the calories so doing frozen pizza isn't a big deal.

 Keep good snack items around.  I buy big jars of trail mix from Target which helps if had a chance to eat or get hungry.  We also bought bagels a lot for breakfasts, high protein Luna bars....  I also crave milk and sometimes make hot chocolate or chocolate milk.  You could also keep apples or cheese sticks in the refrigerator. 

As far as dinners,  we buy a lot of chicken (marinated in different things from the butcher) and just boil some rice or pasta to go with it.  

Take out is also your friend in the early months!  A lot of restaurant meals stretch to 2-3 meals which is nice! 

Breezy8407

I eat either oatmeal or cereal for breakfast and coffee of course. Lunch is always chobani Greek yogurt or cottage cheese and a protein bar. Dinner is usually more of a meal like something on the grill or a frozen make ahead meal. I miss cooking

Trail mix, nuts, yogurt, granola bars, string cheese, are all easy to grab snacks. 

hayleydeee

For breakfast I usually have a bowl of cereal and a protein bar. Then for lunch lately it's been leftovers from dinner the night before.

Recently I started following a cookbook where you make a ton of food in one day and then freeze it for the next month. It's been great because I don't like to cook, and I only really have to mess up the kitchen once. Because DD doesn't eat much, the two week meal plan lasts us a month.  

lmydogally

Only in the past month have I been able to cook sometimes.  I always have boiled eggs, string cheese and bananas in the house.  I eat a bowl of cereal in the morning and a weight watchers frozen meal for lunch.  The babies go to bed at 6 and that's when I eat dinner and clean bottles.  If my husband is home and I want to cook dinner, I prep everything when the babies take their afternoon nap.

PaprikaBug

Let me start by saying...I've been in your shoes and understand. I don't know what mother hasn't struggled with just eating:)

 

I'm breastfeeding so cooking is the number one priority after the babies. Make the crockpot your best friend:) 

For snacks

hard-boiled eggs, nuts, dried fruit, bread and butter, pb, cheese and fresh fruit is a must to have around.... These are things that you can grab in a second and eat with one hand.

 Breakfast

I have a go-to smoothie. milk, frozen strawberries(or any frozen fruit) 1 frozen banana(I always grab a super ripe bunch, peel and freeze as soon as I get home), a dash of vanilla and a dash of maple syrup if I want it sweet. This will taste like a strawberry milkshake and if you're taking any liquid supplements or anything you can disguise them well in this shake. 

My other go-to breakfast is an egg fritata of sorts. I grab whatever veggies/meats sound good(a strip of bacon/ham, a potato, green pepper, onion...) start sauteing on low with a lid on... when the veggies are soft I scramble 2-3 eggs and pour them on top. Now the beauty of this breakfast is you can just cover it and turn it off at this point... Then when you're children allow you can come and either eat it plain, with hot sauce and cheese or cut it into chunks and make a breakfast burrito with cheese, avocado, lettuce... and you'll have enough for the next day

Lunch/Dinner

Once a week I put pinto beans on to soak at night. Next morning I rinse them, put them in the crockpot, add water to cover an inch above, cumin, salt, chili powder, and a whole garlic clove. I leave my crockpot on whatever setting fits into my day(low if I can't get to it till nighttime ect). After the bean are done I will put some in the freezer, but most I will put in my large fry pan and mash with my potato masher until they're "refried"... no oil necessary. Just salt to taste. I also like to cook a large pot of quinoa or brown rice once a week. With beans and rice around I always have a lunch. Rice, with beans on top, avocado, cheeseand tomatoes, Bean and rice burritos, bean soup, bread with refried bean and mozzarella cheese melted on top(sounds weird, is delicious)... just google pinto beans for endless suggestions

One thing that's helped alot is meal-planning, and having one day for grocery shopping/prep... I make up a rough menu the night before and a shopping list, I leave the girls with daddy and go shopping the next day(eat before you go shopping), Once I'm home my husband helps put groceries away and then we wait until the girls nap... While their sleeping I wash lettuce, fruits and veggies, peel, slice, chop and mince the veggies into snack size, or ready to cook size. I hard-boil the eggs, and put beans on to soak. Another thing I just started doing which is amazing... Buy several pounds of hamburger and brown it all... Then freeze in meal size freezer bags... That way if you have frozen beans, browned hamburger, canned tomatoes...Chili! Browned hamburger, taco shell in the cupboard, salsa, shredded cheese... Tacos!

My husband hates helping in the kitchen, but I sat him down and made him realize how important it was for our health and our daughters health for me to cook... One, mother's need to take good care of their bodies and Two, we're the example that our children will copy when it comes to food. My husband now helps prep, clean-up and mostly just watches the girls for me so I can cook.

 

Look into freezer meals, and google when in doubt:) I started my whole process by making lists... I made a list of what snacks are healthy and that I will actually eat...don't make or buy something unless you will actually eat it. I made a list of 20 meals my husband and I both like and then organized them into "easy" "require more prep"... And...keep some super easy instant meals around. I always have a healthy top ramen and mac and cheese in my cupboard. I also love instant miso soup. And in my freezer... I always have raveolis, enchiladas, and a homemade stash of breakfast stuff... muffins, burritos... The biggest thing I make myself always have is washed lettuce... that way I can always have a salad.

 

I hope this helps... You are worth taking care of! Start slow...incorporate one good habit a week and don't overwhelm or guilt trip yourself. 

 

mirnb

Thanks so much for all the comments and suggestions! Beans are a good idea...I will try that!