Some of you expressed interest in a weekly check in to discuss weight, eating habits, exercise.... so here we are. For the 1st week, I thought we could just discuss our worries or what we need help with, then from there, come up with some standard weekly questions for the group.
Myself, I am not too too concerned about weight gain. Its going to happen whether I try to control it or not. At the end of the day its just weight. I've lost 20 pounds before, I can do it again.
My issue is what I am eating. I have always had a bit of a sweet tooth, and have tested borderline for diabetes before. So I have some legit concerns about gestational diabetes. It would be so hard to watch everything I eat, and have to cut out things like fruit and the occasional snack. Now that I am in 2nd tri, I am noticing I am able to better stomach salads and some healthier food which makes me so happy!
But, cooking heathy is hard. I am not a quinoa/whole wheat pasta/veggie kinda girl and neither is DH. Any suggestions? We have been having things like minestrone soup and chili to get some fiber and veggies in (Btw, DH has diverticulitis so I need to be aware of what he is eating too). Any recipe suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Re: Take Back Your Health (aka, put down the Big Mac) Tuesday!
I'm not too worried about weight gain, but I don't love the shape and look of my body when I'm pregnant. I carry all my weight in my stomach and thighs, and pregnancy just highlights it more and I feel like I've lost a lot of tone. I am ready to start working out some, but for now that will probably just mean going on walks because my endurance is shot from the months of sickness and inactivity.
I was able to stomach some veggies finally! We grilled a vegetable medley in Italian dressing and ate it with steak, and it was delicious. Looking forward to seeing any recipe ideas you ladies have, especially for veggies!
So with the gestational diabetes. Most doctors will prescribe a nutrition class for this. I had to take it my last pregnancy (which ended up not viable for other reasons). In the class they teach you how to count carbs. You don't have to watch what you eat so much as you do the carb counting. You can include the occasional sweet treat here and there if you include it in your carbs count. Also fruit is still considered healthy with diabetes. Again, you have to count it as a carb. You can typically eat as many vegetables (there is a list of ones without carbs) as you want. And actually they set up a meal plan and you eat three meals and three snacks. And you can eat as many of the vegetables that were on that list they give as many times a day as you want. So it's really not that limiting. The only problem for me is I really really really like carbs. I'm not much of a vegetable eater to begin with, and even less so with pregnancy. They tend to make me want to gag. I do however love fruit.
First Pregnancy
Second Pregnancy
- BFP: 09/11/2015
- EDD: 05/25/2016
Baby Born04/15/2016
PGAL
Really like reading this thread, sorry I don't have much to offer! I'm basically learning how to cook now, so love everyone's recipes!!
DS: Born 5-17-16
I want to try to balance things out if I eat something junky. Like, I wanted to get cheese fries, so I got a salad, too. Haha. Also, I'm trying to make sure I don't go crazy with portions and not get stuffed.
I love the recipes at nomnompaleo.com, but even with a child to feed I've always struggled with meal planning. I'm going back to the basics - every plate needs to be mostly green with 3-4oz of protein. I cook really healthy food for DS so lately I've just been eating the same things. Unfortunately it means I'm at the store every day because what protein I'm willing to eat changes every day.
I'm still not able to eat a ton of veggies. The thought of salads gross me out, even though they were a staple in my diet pre-pregnancy. But hopefully soon!
I'm doing a lot of walking these days, but nothing too vigorous. I'm thinking of joining a weekly prenatal yoga class next week (need to be in 2nd or 3rd trimester).
I have an appointment next week, so we'll see where I fall on the weight-gain spectrum. I'm 5'11" and I think I was 138 pre-pregnancy. My first appointment I was up to 140, then back down to 138 at my second appointment. I would really like to keep my weight gain at 35 lbs, but I guess if I eat healthy then what I gain is what I gain and I won't upset.
My biggest frustration is that my intense workouts have been swapped for very mellow ones because I've been so dang tired. I'm hoping I can build them back up to moderate and regular workouts in the near future.
I agree with PP's that planning is the key to eating healthy. Otherwise, I get overly hungry and make poor decisions. I just need to have a meal prep day and get a week's worth of meals ready in the fridge. This is especially easy for me because my husband goes back to work for two weeks tomorrow, so I'm on my own! It's so much easier to eat healthily when he is gone. I'm fine having a green smoothie or something like that, where he (understandably) wants a full meal.
Married in 2011
Baby 1: Stillborn at 27 weeks (April 2014)
Baby 2: Due May 2016
I am finally in the mood to start cooking my usual meals which are healthy with the occasional comfort dinner and my cravings have mostly gone. I don't usually have a sweet tooth but I wanted ice cream every day all day for a bit there. Now my body is screaming for raw cucumber, carrot and tomato so I think I'm sorted.
I don't find healthy cooking too hard ( unless I feel too yuck to cook) I just keep the veg drawer well stocked and throw things together. We have a decent amount of stir-fries, basic protein + 3 veg meals and some soups if the weather suits it. I don't use pre packaged seasonings or sauces because you don't have any control over the sodium or badness that goes into them. If I don't have time (which is rare these days as I'm a SAHW) I make larger meals on free nights and freeze half for another day.
P.s. I am going to participate for real when I'm not on mobile.
My work used to provide lunch and they didn't have the healthiest of options, plus even if I brought my own lunch was still tempted to grab stuff (especially dessert). They recently changed and now it's not free and basically only cold sandwiches and salads so I've for real been bringing my lunch. I feel better about what I'm eating and hope I can stay on track! I don't think I've gained much of anything. I'm already starting out big so I really want to keep the weight gain under control. Last time I gained a shameful 60+ lbs and am still paying for it. I also had a TON of bloating and swelling last time which contributed to the gain amount. I'm hoping since it's over the winter and not summer like last time it will help keep bloating/swelling under control!
I also make the quinoa brown rice pasta from trader joes with frozen peas and carrots and add canned salmon ( trader Joe's has the fancy pink salmon without bones or skin that's really good) and make my own cream sauce so I can control the ingredients) but it's good w/ oil/garlic, butter/cheese, or any jar sauce... It's kind of my homemade pregnancy tuna/hamburger helper. only takes one pot if you boil the veg w/ the pasta and make the sauce in the same pot after you drain the pasta and veg!!!