How much are you REALLY eating?

NavyFlyer · May 2014

I'm worried I'm not eating enough, but I'm just not hungry still at 17 weeks! I eat 3 meals and a snack each day, so I try to make them "count" by picking different food groups. But when I read articles about how many servings of X,Y,Z you need a day, there is NO WAY I could eat that much!

Anyone BTDT moms have experience with this?

I'm eating turkey sausage and a banana for breakfast, PB&J on wheat and berries for lunch, a low fat string cheese for snack, and a reasonable dinner.

ohioloveyou · May 2014

I am definitely eating more than that at 14 weeks. But I ate more than that when I wasn't pregnant.

I have a banana for breakfast, cereal midmorning, lunch varies from a frozen meal to a pj&j or leftovers, an apple for a mid afternoon snack, sometimes a smoothie for another mid-afternoon snack, and a hopefully healthy dinner. Lately I've been adding an after dinner snack too - an orange or a milkshake (I'm worried about calcium intake, so I'm saying milkshakes are A-OK).

themiss · May 2014

I eat more than that, usually, but protein and calcium are two concerns of mine.

I've been having issues with proteins most of the time, and don't ever get enough calcium, so I'm starting to pack yogurt with berries and nuts for a snack.

Honestly, people can't always eat perfectly. I eat a TON of veggies everyday through a vegetable smoothie every morning for breakfast, and I know that offers a ton of the vitamins and nutrients I need.

Just try and do the best that you can. Eat lots of greens!

LightBright515 · May 2014

I know I'm not eating enough. I woke up and made a salad at 2:30 this am cause I felt bad for not having any veggies yesterday.

It's very hard for me to eat the way they want me to. My life just doesn't work that way 85% of the time.

BreandMikewedding · May 2014

ohioloveyou said:
I am definitely eating more than that at 14 weeks. But I ate more than that when I wasn't pregnant.

I have a banana for breakfast, cereal midmorning, lunch varies from a frozen meal to a pj&j or leftovers, an apple for a mid afternoon snack, sometimes a smoothie for another mid-afternoon snack, and a hopefully healthy dinner. Lately I've been adding an after dinner snack too - an orange or a milkshake (I'm worried about calcium intake, so I'm saying milkshakes are A-OK).

I love all your snacks. It made me laugh!

I am eating about half to two thirds of what I was eating before I was pregnant. I just can't eat as much when pregnant. I was this same way and ate the same amount with ds and he was 9lbs 12 oz at birth and very healthy so I don't worry about it. I think every body is different and can eat different amounts of food during pregnancy. I struggle to get in enough fluids because I get so full from them! I say eat until you are full and try to get a variety of vitamins. I also agree that milkshakes have calcium and snickers is an excellent source of protein from the nuts.

MrsSinner402 · May 2014

I'm not eating much differently than I was before I was pregnant. I add one additional snack during the day and that's it. I usually do a small bowl of cereal and a banana for breakfast, a lean cuisine or leftovers for lunch, an apple, almonds, and string cheese for my snacks during the day. Dinner isn't always the healthiest, but I normally don't eat after dinner either. Occasionally (like last night) DH and I will go for ice cream. Since conception I've gained about 11-13 lbs. I'm hoping I don't gain too much more than I need to.

megaddie · May 2014

I'm not eating that great:(. I'm still getting sick at 17 weeks, and too much food makes me vomit. Of course, too little makes me sick, too! I rely a lot on Greek yogurt and fruit and cheese because those are the only things I seem to be able to eat right now...looking forward to bring able to eat some greens without getting sick--although I did make some brown rice and spinach that I enjoyed!

DreadGamerWife · May 2014

While my meals are smaller than before, I have added in both a morning snack and afternoon snack (sometimes two afternoon snacks) to help balance out. Morning snack is normally an ounce of cheese and a cup of fruit smoothie (banana, frozen berries, almond milk, and flax seeds). Afternoon snack is normally along the lines of half of an english muffin with PB on it with a handful of nuts on the side. If I need something else when I get home (but before dinner), I will grab a handful of animal crackers and some more cheese. I am also thinking of adding a post dinner snack, but currently heartburn acts up too much if I try to. Essentially, each snack has both protein and carb in it.

ohioloveyou · May 2014

@dreadgamerwife your siggy fajitas are making me hungry. :-)

French76 · May 2014

MrsSinner402 said:

I'm not eating much differently than I was before I was pregnant. I add one additional snack during the day and that's it. I usually do a small bowl of cereal and a banana for breakfast, a lean cuisine or leftovers for lunch, an apple, almonds, and string cheese for my snacks during the day. Dinner isn't always the healthiest, but I normally don't eat after dinner either. Occasionally (like last night) DH and I will go for ice cream. Since conception I've gained about 11-13 lbs. I'm hoping I don't gain too much more than I need to.

Pretty much this exactly for me, too. No lean cuisines for me, though. Just can't do it and those never last more than a few hours for me.

Coles404 · May 2014

I'm eating less than before I got pregnant. I usually eat a small breakfast at 8am: cereal and banana or oatmeal with a banana or strawberries, a small snack at 10am-ish, like cheese or nuts. A semi decent lunch- just depends on what's going on at work. I usually bring mine and they maybe eat out once a week. I have an afternoon snack at 3pm similar to my morning snack. Where I really struggle is dinner. DH works nights and I'm pretty tired that DD gets leftovers and I just pick at fruit or a baked potato. I've started tracking my food in my fitness pal so I can make sure I get enough protein and calcium too. I eat very little meat so I try to make an effort.

MrsL2B · May 2014

I'm eating a lot. Some days I'm ravenous and eat almost twice as much as I ate pre-pregnancy, which was about 1,200 calories. Most days it's in a more reasonable range of 1,600-1,800 calories. I eat lots of protein and fiber-filled vegetables.

ashie0610 · May 2014

I find the food guides on what to eat during pregnancy a little overwhelming too. It sounds like you're eating enough to keep you full and not going overboard with indulgences. If your doctor isn't worried, I don't think you should be either.

I'm eating a lot better this pregnancy. I think the fact that I now keep more fresh fruit on hand for DS is helping that along. I eat pretty much the same as I did pre-pregnancy, but with slightly bigger portions and I'm trying to add in extra fruit and veggies here and there. For example, my breakfast is usually either eggs & toast, oatmeal, or whole grain waffles. Now I make sure I'm adding berries, cantaloupe, or whatever fruit I have on hand to those too.

narabug · May 2014

I'm eating about the same amount that I was before, but much more often since I can't eat as much at once without making myself sick. And like a pp, if I go very long without eating that makes me sick too. I feel like I'm always putting food in my mouth. I'm trying to make sure much less of it is junk food though. Not that I succeed at that every day.

raynes · May 2014

These days I feel like I'm always hungry. I finally am actually starting to WANT to eat veggies again, so that's good, though I do rely on my smoothies to help with protein level and some added greens.

AmandaJean12 · May 2014

I'm in the "eating less than before" boat too, because I stunk at portion control with meals I loved before and now I'm just super full before I can get a second helping.

I just can't obsess over those guidelines. I have enough to stress about right now. I take my prenatal vitamin, I avoid everything I'm supposed to avoid and I try to make health choices. For me, that's enough.

knicoletti · May 2014

MrsL2B said:

I'm eating a lot. Some days I'm ravenous and eat almost twice as much as I ate pre-pregnancy, which was about 1,200 calories. Most days it's in a more reasonable range of 1,600-1,800 calories. I eat lots of protein and fiber-filled vegetables.

Same. I don't know what it is but I am constantly hungry. I am trying to keep it reasonable and spent way too much time on the interwebs yesterday trying to determine the appropriate amount of calories. Ugh. I am trying to track my calories but it seems to only frustrate me more. I am so hungry all.the.time. if I don't eat I feel like I am going to puke. Like, right now. I need to eat because I feel so sick.

golfingdarwinfish · May 2014

I eat little to no meat so protein consumption is a major concern of mine, especially because seafood has become a lot less appetizing. Even if I'm not hungry I force myself to eat a FF greek yogurt BID. I've also consumed hand fulls of spinach (not my finest moments) while standing in the kitchen in an attempt to force something healthy down because all I want are carbs.

NavyFlyer · May 2014

Thanks for all the responses. Seems like the general trend amongst opinions is protein and calcium is key. Definitely need to up the protein, but big chunks of meat = gross right now. I think I'll start adding some nuts into snacks.

Heartwood0519 · May 2014

Why did my doctor not tell me what I should be eating?! All the info I've gotten says what I should be staying away from. Please tell me I'm not the only clueless one when it comes to this...

I usually eat pretty healthy in general, but the past few weeks, the salads I normally love don't sound good. I've been having chicken with potatoes or cauliflower most nights for dinner, I usually eat a PB sandwich for breakfast and lunch is usually a Lean Cuisine, unless I'm out and then it's just eating whatever I feel like (which has been this week.. Subway, Jimmy John's, fruits and veggies.. )

I guess I haven't been eating that bad. Maybe I've just got all the junk food in my head from what I ate over our vacation last weekend...

femail · May 2014

I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling. I feel like I don't eat enough, either.

A typical day looks like this for me:
Breakfast- 1 or 2 eggs on toast
Lunch- leftovers from the night before or something out (like a sandwich or frozen meal)
Dinner- meat and starch and usually a veggie (although Its hard for me to eat veggies when pregnant)

I only sometimes find myself eating snacks. Today I have a snack bar and a cupcake lol.

I do also drink a ton of organic 2% milk and water throughout the day and limit my coffee to half a cup 2x a week or so.

[Deleted User] · May 2014

I usually eat eggs and turkey bacon in the morning, a cup of strawberries or greek yogurt for a mid morning snack, grilled chicken and veggies for lunch, a muffin or diced green peppers for an afternoon snack, a banana for the drive home, and a healthy-ish dinner. I did the same pre-pregnancy, minus the muffin and banana.

I'll be honest, some days I want Chick Fil-A for breakfast, Taco Bell for lunch, and Whataburger for dinner. I try to eat pretty healthy, but if I feel sick and the only thing I can keep down is the fast food.. I do it. Not every day, but I don't beat myself up over it.

I've never been this hungry before, but if I feel my body needs food then I eat.

lct2008 · May 2014

You can get protein in other ways too though

I try to have my snacks have a good amount of protein. Like celery and pb or cheese and nuts, veggie and cheese, Greek yogurt etc. You don't have to shove meat down your throat

especially since the sound of that right now makes me want to hurl. Yuck.
Anyway I couldn't tell you how much I eat since I'm still getting sick. I just eat whenever I'm hungry and just try to make it good choices. With the occasional treat

pushgal84 · May 2014

At 17 weeks I too feel like I'm not eating enough. I'm just not hungry. I focus on protein and calcium too and figure any vitamins I'm lacking will be covered by the prenatal vitamin. I haven't gained any weight yet, which I'm thankful for since I started about 50lbs overweight. At some point I know I'll have to start eating smaller more frequent meals.
For breakfast: strawberries, half a large bagel with cream cheese, and 2 veggie sausage patties.
Morning snack, usually a yogurt or granola bar.
Lunch is by far my biggest meal of the day and I don't eat it until about 2pm. Sub sandwich, bean and cheese burrito, tacos, burger, whatever sounds good. OR if I bring my lunch, leftovers, fruit, yogurt, side salad.
By dinner, I'm not really hungry. I'll usually eat a little bit of whatever I make for DH and a handful of grape tomatoes. An hour or so after dinner I'll be hungry and have ice cream.

pushgal84 · May 2014

NavyFlyer said:

Thanks for all the responses. Seems like the general trend amongst opinions is protein and calcium is key. Definitely need to up the protein, but big chunks of meat = gross right now. I think I'll start adding some nuts into snacks.

I had some issues with big chunks of meat too. I opted for meals ground turkey and beef or meat that was disguised (like breaded chicken). If you're worried about protien and calcium, think cheeses, yogurt, etc. I was vegan for a few months awhile back and I lived on avocados, which are a great source of protein! My favorite was a toasted chibatta bun with avocado, mayo, sriracha, and a sprinkle of salt.

pinkshades05 · May 2014

I'm definitely eating more, but there were some days where I was eating significantly less than usual (like Easter--I'm normally a dessert fiend but only had one slice of cake). Eat when you're hungry and eat until you feel satisfied. Just make sure you're eating a balance meal and not all ice cream and you shouldn't need to worry.

femail · May 2014

pushgal84 said:

NavyFlyer said:

Thanks for all the responses. Seems like the general trend amongst opinions is protein and calcium is key. Definitely need to up the protein, but big chunks of meat = gross right now. I think I'll start adding some nuts into snacks.

I had some issues with big chunks of meat too. I opted for meals ground turkey and beef or meat that was disguised (like breaded chicken). If you're worried about protien and calcium, think cheeses, yogurt, etc. I was vegan for a few months awhile back and I lived on avocados, which are a great source of protein! My favorite was a toasted chibatta bun with avocado, mayo, sriracha, and a sprinkle of salt.

Mmmmm sriracha!!

AppleGrapeMSTK · May 2014

I was on a very strict low-carb 1200 cal/day diet for about 5 months prior to getting pregnant. The moment I stopped the diet, I gained 8lb back, which was fine. But now I have lost that 8lb again, and I am starting to get concerned.

I eat toast with butter and jam for breakfast, drive thru for lunch, and left overs for dinner. I will usually eat some fruit, an avocado, or a candy bar for a snack. I never worried about my calories because sometimes I had two lunches

but I honestly dot think in eating so little that I should be losing weight.

pushgal84 · May 2014

@Nicb13 Sometimes I feel like I could eat that much and my eyes are so much bigger than my stomach these days!

NavyFlyer · May 2014

theresat858 said:

Are you sure that you know what a "serving" is? If you are talking about the US govt recommendations "servings", everything is ridiculously small. For instance, most commercial bread: 1 slice = "2 servings" of bread. A "serving" of fruit is half of an apple or banana. Half.

Guess I knew that in the back of my mind but didn't think that much. That's actually really really helpful. That means a PB&J is 4 servings of grains!!!

VMRRN23 · May 2014

When I read the title of your post I thought " if it's not nailed down I eat it," ha! I thought this was going to be a dessert every night confession thread.i try to have a glass of milk with each meal (8 grams of protein for 8 oz) and a chobani yogurt for a snack (I think 12 grs of protein). It's an easy way to get 4 calcium servings and 36 grams of protein.

ladybug0088 · May 2014

I "graze" most of the day. I'll eat some cut up fruit (watermelon, strawberries and cantaloupe usually) at lunch and then an hour later eat some yogurt raisins and then an hour after that eat a banana, etc. I prefer to just graze...I have a 20 minute lunch teaching and am a slow eater so this is just easier.

knicoletti · May 2014

Cantisa said:

Everyone is eating super healthy! For me, I was dieting pre-pregancy so it was hard for me to adapt to no longer dieting and find a happy medium. Like 300 calories more than what I normally eat which is only 1200 calories or 300 more than 2000? I find tracking with my fitness pal helps me in that regard not to go crazy. For breakfast I have been having cereal or Special K breakfast sandwiches, then AM snack, special K or fiber one bars, lunch salad or lean cuisine, pm snack fruit or hummus and dinner whatever strikes me. Of course there is always the random craving here and there where I blow this meal plan but I am up ~9 lbs so far going into my 16th week. It's more than I had hoped for but I am thinking things will even themselves out.

I feel the same way. I worked really hard to lose 30 lbs (twice - before my son and after my son). I use MFP but I am not sure what to set the calories at. I am not trying to lose any weight but I can get a little nutty when it comes to food. I can't control myself.

jcsumm0 · May 2014

This thread just made me feel like an unhealthy pig. That is all.

NavyFlyer · May 2014

knicoletti said:

Cantisa said:

Everyone is eating super healthy! For me, I was dieting pre-pregancy so it was hard for me to adapt to no longer dieting and find a happy medium. Like 300 calories more than what I normally eat which is only 1200 calories or 300 more than 2000? I find tracking with my fitness pal helps me in that regard not to go crazy. For breakfast I have been having cereal or Special K breakfast sandwiches, then AM snack, special K or fiber one bars, lunch salad or lean cuisine, pm snack fruit or hummus and dinner whatever strikes me. Of course there is always the random craving here and there where I blow this meal plan but I am up ~9 lbs so far going into my 16th week. It's more than I had hoped for but I am thinking things will even themselves out.

I feel the same way. I worked really hard to lose 30 lbs (twice - before my son and after my son). I use MFP but I am not sure what to set the calories at. I am not trying to lose any weight but I can get a little nutty when it comes to food. I can't control myself.

I think I'm in the same boat as you guys. About a year ago I lost 35 lbs by eating Paleo (no grains no dairy) and had been eating that way ever since. I'm used to eating very small portions and filling up with water because I gain weight fast. Obviously, I knew that's not healthy for pregnancy. I'm eating dairy and bread again, and 3 full meals plus a snack. But it's very hard to change your mindset when you have been in the "diet" mindset! I forget sometimes that if I'm not hungry, I can't just skip the meal!

NavyFlyer · May 2014

Oh and before people get the impression I'm a health nut, I have ALWAYS had 1 total splurge meal a week. We are talking enchiladas, burgers, whatever I've been craving. I found that actually helped me maintain a diet lifestyle, because when I wanted something really badly I would just save it for my saturday night splurge dinner.

atraveller · May 2014

I find that whole grains is my issue. I eat yogurt with granola and almonds mixed into it for breakfast. Usually do a snack at some point late morning which is either a fruit smoothie (yogurt, frozen fruit and some milk) - cheese and whole grain crackers and a piece of fruit or a bowl of whole grain cereal. Then i do lunch which varies - but always has protein. Usually its PB&J on whole grain bread with a green lettuce salad and piece of fruit or a veggie burger (made from veggies and beans/lentils) and salad and fruit OR chicken salad on a pita with salad and fruit. Sometimes I mix in some organic blue corn chips.

Then I try to do a mid-afternoon snack, but don't always feel hungry for it - if I do its usually just a granola bar and fruit or some cheese and crackers and fruit. Dinner is whatever stretcher meal husband and I made for the week (our schedules don't allow for cooking all week) - so we do soups, stews, pasta salads, jambalayas, etc.... and then always some kind of green veggie on the side (green beans or broccoli or sometimes cauliflower or brussel sprouts) this week it's chicken jambalaya made with veggies, farro and beans - so thinking very good. Usually I get a craving for a sweet in the evenings, so I eat my low sugar healthy cookies when I feel the urge and have some OJ or Apple Juice. My weight gain was high in first trimester - cause I had zero morning sickness, but now it has slowed and I worry I'm not getting enough food.

Anyone think all the above is enough or should I be adding more? Note: We try to do fish once a week - usually on Saturdays when I can cook and I mix in sardines with snack or lunch one or two times a week to get my omega-3's.

I'm 17 1/2 weeks and have gained about 14-15 pounds thus far.

When

CherylB1201 · May 2014

I feel like I'm eating a ton, but when I think about the previous days meals, I realize it's not nearly as much as it should be. Yesterday I didn't eat until 4 and it was just leftovers from eating out the night before. That was it. I'm hungry ALL THE TIME, but nothing sounds good. :-/

egad1980 · May 2014

knicoletti said:

Cantisa said:

Everyone is eating super healthy! For me, I was dieting pre-pregancy so it was hard for me to adapt to no longer dieting and find a happy medium. Like 300 calories more than what I normally eat which is only 1200 calories or 300 more than 2000? I find tracking with my fitness pal helps me in that regard not to go crazy. For breakfast I have been having cereal or Special K breakfast sandwiches, then AM snack, special K or fiber one bars, lunch salad or lean cuisine, pm snack fruit or hummus and dinner whatever strikes me. Of course there is always the random craving here and there where I blow this meal plan but I am up ~9 lbs so far going into my 16th week. It's more than I had hoped for but I am thinking things will even themselves out.

I feel the same way. I worked really hard to lose 30 lbs (twice - before my son and after my son). I use MFP but I am not sure what to set the calories at. I am not trying to lose any weight but I can get a little nutty when it comes to food. I can't control myself.

I use MFP too. For the first trimester, I set my goals to "maintain" my weight, for the second trimester I upped it to "gain a 1/2 pound per week," and I'll up it in the third to "gain a pound a week." It will calculate for you based on your height and age.

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