Healthy eating ideas?

knitmama · November 2015

I'm placing an extra focus on healthy eating right now for a few reasons. Obviously, I want to give my baby all the healthy nutrients I can! But beyond that, I don't want to gain too much weight this time around.

With DD, I got pregnant on our wedding weekend. Not only was I coming off of the pre-wedding fitness craze, but when morning sickness hit hard, I didn't care what I ate if it had a shot at settling my stomach. By month 4, I was up 12 lbs and I swear those are the same pounds I've struggled with since giving birth.

Now I'm trying to get ahead of the game with mini-meals packed with veggies and protein to stay full, ward off nausea and watch my calories. I'm making a big batch of this soup with added tofu and lots of fresh ginger: https://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/recipepage.aspx?recipeid=140501

And veggie-egg-cheese mini muffins with lots of dark greens.

Anyone have any healthy mini-meals or snack ideas that are working well?

EasterEggs · November 2015

I've been snacking on a variety of fruits; homemade hummus with vegetables; half an egg salad sandwich with spinach; half a peanut butter and apple sandwich; and cheese slices.

I made this a couple days ago and it was really tasty:

https://ifoodreal.com/chili-chicken-kale-quinoa-casserole/

And my husband made these delicious muffins:

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2013/02/strawberry-banana-chocolate-chip-oat-muffins/

thebigoaktree · November 2015

Upped the fruits and veggies, switching pasta Mac and cheese to cauliflower Mac and cheese, easy stuff like that. Also, have had really good luck with making smoothies to get more spinach intake in. I recommend smoothies.

knitmama · November 2015

Thanks for the ideas, ladies! I hate getting in a food rut! Smoothies fell off my rotation a while ago, but that's a good one to get in some extra veggies.

bblakomy2 · November 2015

Thanks for the good ideas, also looking for ways to combat the nausea. Ate every carb in sight with my first and was so miserable by the end, really want to do better this time around!

juliagulia38 · November 2015

Do frappuccinos and pizza count as healthy? Haha that's what I'm living off right now.

bblakomy2 · November 2015

Haha I hope so because this baby really loves Starbucks

jennyleigh16 · November 2015

I lived off of gingerale and saltines with peanut butter last week. I'm less worried about gaining extra weight and more worried about the baby not getting the nutrients it needs. I find if I'm not at work I have zero appetite until early afternoon. Yesterday I didn't have anything but a cup of tea until 2pm. I'm going to start trying smoothies in the mornings.

noelietrex · November 2015

I've had a hard time adjusting to my new nausea and food aversions... I used to eat giant meals so eating these tiny meals is really sucking. Doing small greek yogurt with nuts and seeds in the morning, veggies and whole grain for lunch, an apple if I can tolerate it for one snack, carrots sticks for another. Probably soup plus a piece of toast for dinner. Again.

I have major aversions to meat and sweet things so fruit is basically out, and protein is a struggle. All the plain veggies and grains for me, in tiny quantities, booooooo.

WorkingMom562 · November 2015

jennyleigh16 said:
I lived off of gingerale and saltines with peanut butter last week. I'm less worried about gaining extra weight and more worried about the baby not getting the nutrients it needs. I find if I'm not at work I have zero appetite until early afternoon. Yesterday I didn't have anything but a cup of tea until 2pm. I'm going to start trying smoothies in the mornings.

I'm kinda in the same boat with not eating...My first meal this past week has been around 12 or 1 everyday, and sometimes with me forcing it!

knitmama · November 2015

jennyleigh16 said:
I lived off of gingerale and saltines with peanut butter last week. I'm less worried about gaining extra weight and more worried about the baby not getting the nutrients it needs. I find if I'm not at work I have zero appetite until early afternoon. Yesterday I didn't have anything but a cup of tea until 2pm. I'm going to start trying smoothies in the mornings.

This was me in my first pregnancy. I ate what and when I could, but it was mostly white flour and high fat proteins which I think led to the excess weight gain. I didn't really mind at the time, but I do now and really regret it. I've never struggled to loose weight before. Plus my excess weight gain could have contributed to DD being over 9 lbs and needing a c-section.

Babies are excellent parasites. They will take all the nutrients first, even if it means leaching them from your body. I know my sea monkey will get all it needs. My focus on nutrition is to keep us both healthy along the way.

trucksntutus · November 2015

My work makes really good omelets and I've just increased the amount of veggies that I put in it every morning. Also, snacking on delicious mandarin oranges!

Chichigo · November 2015

I bought Costco sized containers of mini bell peppers and spinach. I make a dip out of spinach, white beans, garlic (when I can stand it), and sometimes artichoke, then dip the bell peppers. It's crunchy like a chip but has more nutrients.

I aim for three meals and three planned snacks a day so I never feel very hungry, which discourages overindulging and helps battle nausea.

nopegoat · November 2015

I had GD with my last pregnancy so I have started loosely following the low carb diet already. Small portions, several snacks, and lots of good protein and veggies.

ijstarr28 · November 2015

i made some chicken noodle soup with a rotisserie chicken, onion, carrot, and celery with chicken broth. It seems to be helping.

I also hard boiled a bunch of eggs and keep them in the fridge for a protein fix.

For breakfast I have a smoothie that is fat free greek yogurt, cherries, water, and stevia. - nice and sweet.

Dinners vary in our house. Tonight DH is having Salmon while i'm having shrimp and probably a diced baked sweet potato.

There is a pretty good thread on the 1st trimester board with a lot of good idea for make ahead meals and good baby eats too!! i've been surfing that for some ideas.

stephweinstein · November 2015

I've been snacking on lean proteins a lot. One of my favorites is half an avocado with two slices of smoked salmon. It makes me feel like I'm eating sushi. You could also make this into a dinner buy adding some sticky rice and low sodium soy sauce.

stephweinstein · November 2015

kdm06c said:

I had GD with my last pregnancy so I have started loosely following the low carb diet already. Small portions, several snacks, and lots of good protein and veggies.

@ kdm06c Could you give me the basic low down of what the GD diet guidelines are?

ijstarr28 · November 2015

stephweinstein said:

I've been snacking on lean proteins a lot. One of my favorites is half an avocado with two slices of smoked salmon. It makes me feel like I'm eating sushi. You could also make this into a dinner buy adding some sticky rice and low sodium soy sauce.

do what you feel is right but there are multiple lists that say smoked fish is not a good idea. I think it's a Listeria thing. If you heat it up i think it's supposed to be OK. It's the same logic behind not eating deli meats.

DH asked for steak one night this week and I had to turn him down because i dont like steak done more then med rare. I was also super disappointed this afternoon because I wanted a ham sandwich at lunch!! Oh the things we do for love!

nopegoat · November 2015

@stephweinstein here is the basic eating schedule/allotment

-Breakfast: 15-30g carbs, 1-2oz protein (no fruit before lunch)
-Morning Snack: 15g carbs, 1-2oz protein (no fruit before lunch)
-Lunch: 45-60g carbs, 3-4oz protein
-Afternoon Snack: 30g carbs, 2oz protein
-Dinner: 45-60g carbs, 3-4oz protein
-Bedtime Snack (eat within an hour of bedtime): 30g carbs, 2oz protein

Basically you want to lower carb intake and make sure you pair it with good protein to help keep your sugars in check. This also really makes you keep your portion sizes in check.

knitmama · November 2015

ijstarr28 said:

stephweinstein said:

I've been snacking on lean proteins a lot. One of my favorites is half an avocado with two slices of smoked salmon. It makes me feel like I'm eating sushi. You could also make this into a dinner buy adding some sticky rice and low sodium soy sauce.

do what you feel is right but there are multiple lists that say smoked fish is not a good idea. I think it's a Listeria thing. If you heat it up i think it's supposed to be OK. It's the same logic behind not eating deli meats.

DH asked for steak one night this week and I had to turn him down because i dont like steak done more then med rare. I was also super disappointed this afternoon because I wanted a ham sandwich at lunch!! Oh the things we do for love!

I second what @ijstarr28 said. Smoked fish and meats are not recommended because they're not fully cooked. There are most likely several forms of bacteria and possibly parasites (like sushi). Same reasoning behind only eating meat that is well done.

dvg716 · November 2015

I have terrible eating habits and often skip meals, so my focus has been on eating consistently as well. Smoothies in the morning has been the easiest addition so far and has helped me kick the iced coffee habit. I like your soup idea, thanks for sharing the link! Looks really good

stephweinstein · November 2015

Good to know on the smoked fish though I plan on following the "everything in moderation" guidelines.

thebigoaktree · November 2015

Please don't use stevia, it says it's plant but it's been so processed that it's not healthy anymore. If you want to sweeten your smoothies use honey.

knitmama · November 2015

stephweinstein said:
Good to know on the smoked fish though I plan on following the "everything in moderation" guidelines.

I agree with everything in moderation for many situations, that doesn't really apply here. Listeria bacteria is deadly. 90% of the people who contract it are pregnant women, newborns, (can even be born with it if the mother eats it), and elderly.

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/

ijstarr28 · November 2015

thebigoaktree said:
Please don't use stevia, it says it's plant but it's been so processed that it's not healthy anymore. If you want to sweeten your smoothies use honey.

Good call! Thanks!

knitmama · November 2015

ijstarr28 said:

thebigoaktree said:
Please don't use stevia, it says it's plant but it's been so processed that it's not healthy anymore. If you want to sweeten your smoothies use honey.
Good call! Thanks!

Check with your doctor on what they recommend about honey. Some say it's not safe because it can carry botulism. It's considered unsafe for infants under 1 year.

stephweinstein · November 2015

knitmama said:

stephweinstein said:
Good to know on the smoked fish though I plan on following the "everything in moderation" guidelines.
I agree with everything in moderation for many situations, that doesn't really apply here. Listeria bacteria is deadly. 90% of the people who contract it are pregnant women, newborns, (can even be born with it if the mother eats it), and elderly.

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/

Thanks for your input.

thebigoaktree · November 2015

knitmama said:

ijstarr28 said:

thebigoaktree said:
Please don't use stevia, it says it's plant but it's been so processed that it's not healthy anymore. If you want to sweeten your smoothies use honey.
Good call! Thanks!
Check with your doctor on what they recommend about honey. Some say it's not safe because it can carry botulism. It's considered unsafe for infants under 1 year.

Honey should be ok but yes, it does carry the risk to a child under 1. You want the pasteurized stuff though. But yeah double check with your doc.

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