I am failing big time at the “eating healthy” thing.
Everything I read, and I do mean everything, stresses that I should be eating a very nutritious diet these days, for many reasons, among them: 1) so baby gets good nourishment and can grow 2) so I get good nourishment and feel my best and 3) to help with a “slow and steady” approach to weight gain.
Everything I read also mentions that dieting or trying to LOSE weight during pregnancy is absolutely a no-no (duh).
I have found that I cannot reconcile these two things. I can eat one of two ways 1) eating to lose weight or 2) eating whatever I want because I don’t give a damn. I have never really known how to eat a balanced, healthy diet.
When I am eating to lose weight I count calories, eat small portions, and have a splurge every now and then. I do lose weight that way. But it doesn’t mean I’m thinking about the nutrition of what I’m eating – just the calorie content.
I’m also having a problem with the emphasis on red meat. I previously mentioned that I was an aspiring vegetarian for a year pre-pregnancy. I completely understand that adding a boneless, skinless chicken breast is a nice way to get protein and necessary fats in your diet.
But I am literally being told by my NP to sit down and eat a cheeseburger every week. In my mind, a cheeseburger is the opposite of healthy, even when you don’t consider the French fries and milkshake that so often accompany it.
So, it sounds bad, but I’ve given up on all of it. When I’m hungry for meat, I eat it. When I’m hungry for junk food, I eat that too. I try to eat at least some fruit and some vegetables every day.
What else is a confused pregnant woman supposed to do?
7 comments:
I totally get where you are coming from. You need the extra iron in the red meat. There are other ways to have a hamburger. Last night I had a hamburger patty, covered with sauted mushrooms, on top of mashed potatoes, with I side of sauted veggies. (notice, no french fries or milk shake).
Also, you can go to your butcher and ask for grass-fed beef, rather than hitting a big fast food chain, that puts all kinds of additives in the meat (yuck!). That said, I do sometimes have fast food, so no judgment here!
Don't stress about the food. The most important thing is to start your day with a healthful breakfast - oatmeal with fruit, or yogurt, fruit and granola, or a protein shake with berries. the rest of the day will fall into place!
I am not a vegetarian, but the smell and taste of red meat while I'm pregnant turned me off to meat. You should be fine as long as you eat the recommended amount of protein. Eat nuts, beans, and other legumes, tofu, egg plant and other stuff. If you're not a vegan, eggs and dairy will give you plenty of dairy and calcium. I grew two, healthy BIG full term twins without eating hardly any red meat...or meat at all for that matter.
Make sure you are eating lettuce and tomato on your burger because Vit C enhances iron absorption.
Some studies show that calcium in cheese can inhibit iron and zinc absorption, so you might want to order hamburger without cheese.
I would not stress too much about what you are eating. Try to eat a reasonable amount of whole grains, fruit and veggies (if veggies are appealing) because this not only provides lots of nutrients, but also FIBER which will help everything keep moving along.
Basically you need about 300 extra calories on top of whatever you normally eat which about the equivilent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a bowl of cereal.
I think every pregnant woman indulges a bit...don't be too hard on yourself! I'm sure you're taking great care of that little one.
I ate wheat thins with salsa for dinner last night.
I mean, you know, you can beat yourself up...or you can take your pre-natal with a milkshake and figure you're doing the best you can, emotionally and physically, to care for your baby. If your weight really becomes a concern, your doctor will talk to you and (probably) send you to a dietician too.
If it makes you feel any better Lulu - I'm a dietitian IRL and I am eating terribly right now. Not enough vegetables at all. Not enough protein. Plenty of carbs! Your baby is getting what it needs and the prenatal vitamins will fill in the gaps.
Pink carpet?? GGAAAAHHHH!!! You win, hands down!
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