Calories, how much do you stress?

Daniellemf1228 · January 2012

So i have mentioned in the past that I do worry tons about my weight and my doctor told me that as long as I am eating healthy if the weight still comes on then to not worry.

Today I seem to be up able to feel satisfied. I have eaten a lot but its all been fairly healthy. But the calories still add up.

Here is what I have eaten today:

Cereal (special k with low fat organic milk and a banana)

15 rice snacks

1 apple

1 fiber granola bar

1 1/2 cups carrots and celery with 2 T lowfat ranch dressing

Spinach salad with balsamic vinegar

4 Veggie chicken nugget things

It feels like all I have been doing today is eating and nothing is satisfying me?

What have you all eaten today? Do you all stress like I seem to be doing?

raynes · January 2012

When I look at that, almost all I see is empty carbs and processed stuff.

Where's the protein? Healthy fats? Those two things (while often being higher in calories) will help keep you feeling full longer.

Are you a vegetarian?

WildcatPrincess · January 2012

There's next to no protein and, for that matter, calories in what you've eaten. It's no wonder you're hungry. Simple solution, keep eating! I eat a lot of high calorie foods and rarely make my 2300 a day target, you'd be fine with more.

TKx2 · January 2012

I try to eat as healthy as possible, but I don't count calories and if I want a cheeseburger and cheese fries every now and then I have it. I'm all about moderation. Based on what you posted, I would try more complex carbs, protein and healthy fats. Try adding some peanut butter to the apple, a handful of almonds, or whole wheat bread/bagel/English muffin with peanut butter, etc. I've found those types of things keep me much fuller for longer.

vtwd40 · January 2012

I would definitely go for some more protein. Try hard boiled eggs. Or some greek yogurt. I love greek yogurt and you could make a smoothie with it if you want. Celery banana, or apple with peanut butter. Or some almonds are always a nice snack to munch on. I love some fruit too, but I find it doesn't cut it for as long.

Daniellemf1228 · January 2012

I guess I might sound naive but in reference to this being all processed and empty calories, other than the dressing and vegi chicken things, I didnt think this list was that terrible as far as processed foods go. There is alot of fresh fruits and vegetables on that list.

I am a vegetarian though now I am eating a bit of fish. For dinner I was going to have a sauteed vegetable mix I made last night with chickpeas and a whole wheat pita.

I guess I will need to include more protein like the hard boiled eggs or peanut butter, that would be a bit more substantial. I just worry about the fats and such. Almonds too, I used to eat them daily but lately have no desire to... hm.

erniebufflo · January 2012

I'm in a slightly different position as I'm carrying twins and trying to eat a high-protein, higher-calorie diet, but I try to focus more on variety and making sure I have a protein source in every meal more than counting calories. Breakfast is often eggs and fruit, lunch today was pizza and salad, dinner is things like pasta with eggplant and meat sauce or veggie fried rice with egg. I snack on cheese sticks and fruit a lot. Greek yogurt is also a great pregnancy food, as others have mentioned.

raynes · January 2012

Now, I might take the general "avoid processed food" thing farther than a lot of people, but the majority of the things you've listed are processed to some extent.

Daniellemf1228:
Cereal (special k with low fat organic milk and a banana) <-- processed (the cereal)
15 rice snacks <-- processed
1 apple
1 fiber granola bar <-- processed
1 1/2 cups carrots and celery with 2 T lowfat ranch dressing <-- processed
Spinach salad with balsamic vinegar
4 Veggie chicken nugget things <-- processed

The veggies are good, certainly, especially as they're good, colourful ones, but you need to add in some fat.

Dietary fat does not make you fat. Eating too much crap makes you fat, so don't fear that fat! Healthy fats found in things like nuts, eggs (eat the yolk!!!), avocados and higher fat beans are all really good for you, and you should be making sure to include them.

Since you're a vegetarian, I can understand the getting more protein isn't always easy. Good options (as the others have already mentioned) include eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts (more fat than protein there), soy, and cheese.

It might also be a good idea to invest in some protein powder. When I'm really trying to eat clean, protein powder is one of the few "bad" processed foods I still allow, as it really makes getting in the protein a lot easier. You can also find some good, less processed kinds too.

As you're eating some fish now, one of my favourite salads to have for lunch is baby spinach topped with canned tuna (chunk light tuna in water is best for mercury levels), tomatoes, avocado and balsamic vinaigrette.

Kaiene · January 2012

I don't stress too much. I do snack during the day, but it's generally things like fruit, yogurt, or low fat cheese. Sometimes I'll have a granola bar, or a fruit and grain bar too. I take leftovers for lunch, so I do try to make dinners that are somewhat healthy and have protein & veggies in them.

countdowntolockdown · January 2012

I'm not stressing about it, but I do try to watch it. Pre-pregnancy I was averaging about 1350 cals/day, after the BFP, I upped it by 300-500. That's the window I give myself. As of 24 weeks, I had gained 9.5 pounds. I weigh-in again on Wednesday. I don't think I've gained much more because my pants still fit my legs, just not my belly (if that makes sense).

As long as you're eating as healthy as possible, you shouldn't stress. Good luck!

shmoos · January 2012

I agree with everyone else that there is a lack of protein. I usually do eat a kind of junky cereal in the morning, but it is high fiber and I excuse it because it is iron enriched. I pack a small bag of nuts and dried fruit to snack on during the day. If lunch is not leftovers, then it usually includes greek yogurt. In the afternoon I usually have some fruit or veggies (apple and nut butter, ants on a log, veggies dipped in hummus or a white bean dip, has more value than ranch dressing). Dinner usually includes beans and whole grains, occasionally fish. Dessert is some fruit and cheese, or a sweet that I bake myself. I don't count calories, but I do try to eat fairly healthy, and I allow myself to splurge during the weekend. Instead of the fiber one bar, mix some fiber one cereal with yogurt. Add some cheese to the crackers, or some nut butter to the apple. Throw a hardboiled egg onto your salad, ot add some nuts or seeds.

harper818 · January 2012

here are some good boosters to your menu: p b or any nut butter, avocado, hummus, greek yogurt, add a good quality olive oil to boost your spinach salad and even some chickpeas or kidney beans to that salad too, oatmeal instead of the special k

greek yogurt is a snack i often turn to for a good fat full of protein. also adding some quinoa or oatmeal instead of the cereal will start you off being full. my fave go to breakfast is a piece of ezekiel bread with cashew butter.

you need fat. you do. just make it a good beneficial fat.

Mamasaurus · January 2012

Try adding more protein.

I am finding that yogurt is filling me up better than almost anything else. I have dairy issues, so I have greek yogurt or goat yogurt--don't know if that makes a difference.

BetterTogether1023 · January 2012

Definitely add protein if you can... whenever I have one of those 'nothing satisfies me days' protein does it. I was also told that while pregnant we need much more protein than usual. I usually watch what I eat, but don't limit myself too much. If I want something that is higher in fat for one meal, I balance it at then next.

Today I had:

mini wheats with 2% milk

peach Chobani yogurt

grilled ham and cheese wrap with spinach, tomato, peppers and olives

ETA: Banana

another Chobani yogurt and 2 chocolate chip cookies

2 glasses of Ovaltine- I guess I ate a TON of dairy today.... Indifferent

megilb · January 2012

Im a bad example because ive been having a lot of food aversions/severe heartburn combined with an insatiable craving for sweets so i lack a balanced diet. But that being said, i try to eat spinach or some sort of veggie/fruit smoothie drink, mixed with protein powder to get more nutrients in. I usually eat between 1600-1800 calories a day. But thats on the low side. I need to try to eat more like 2,000 calories. Today i had:

Glass of diet sparkling cranberry juice

decaf coffee with cream and sugar

1 plain wrap

1 slice of angel food cake

cadbury creme egg

and for dinner..ill have a turkey wrap and maybe 2 more cadbury creme eggs and a

glass of silk light chocolate milk

MalDR0418 · January 2012

Like others have said, you definitely need way more protein and good healthy fats. Those two are most important during pregnancy and you won't get them by eating low fat/no fat dressings and foods. Those are junk. Everyone else gave great suggestions and really you shouldn't stress over getting too much food, but not getting enough. If you're eating good healthy, high fat, high protein diet, then you'll gain as much as your body needs for you and your baby. Don't stress the weight gain.

It might help to make a menu plan for the week or even for the day before so that you get an adequate amount of what you need. Here are some things I try to eat for protein/fat intake:

-Mini quiches made in muffin cups for the week which are an easy thing to grab when I'm low on protein for the day

-Guacamole for dips

-Hummus for veggies or crackers

-Greek yogurt with fruit and granola

-Peanut butter on celery/toast/crackers

-Mixed nuts and trail mixes out in a bowl for easy access

-Canned tuna or salmon on crackers

-Cottage cheese (not the low fat stuff)

biblionerd · January 2012

You're pg. You NEED more calories and fats. You sound like you're in a dieting mindset instead of one of proper nourishment for your growing child. I'm not saying to pound chocolate shakes and scarf snickers all day, but being so concerned about gaining weight while pg isn't healthy IMO. Maybe I misread, but that's what it sounds like to me. If you're still hungry all day you're not eating enough of the right foods.

Tambcat · January 2012

I have never counted calories, so I'm not really used to thinking about my food choices that way. Except one afternoon, I had a package of Pop-Tarts and saw how many calories were in there and was like "holyshit." So maybe I'll try to consume at least half of those calories on a healthier way from now on. lol

Looking at what you ate, I think you need more fat. That should help you feel more satisfied.

6sour6grapes6 · January 2012

I eat the same as I did pre-pregnant, with some more fruits and veggies thrown it. I don't sweat it, and my weight is on track. the only thing I looked into was the lowest calorie non "skinny" syrup at starbucks.

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