Pregnant and trying to eat healthy- help!

a_new_mii
a_new_mii Posts: 53
edited September 20 in Food and Nutrition
I lost a whopping 80 lbs last summer, and am now 8 wks pregnant. I want to maintain my new found healthy habits and make this pregnancy as healthy as can be. For the past few weeks I just felt crummy- no energy and blah so before I realized I was pregnant I let myself slip- I'm up 10 lbs already, but weight loss is no longer my concern.
I want to get back to tracking my food and exercise- but what should my goals be set at?
Does anyone know of a good resource for pregnant women and nutrition?
Any advice is welcome.
I'm just not sure where to begin.

Replies

  • Jenks
    Jenks Posts: 349
    When I was pregnant I was put on a 2200 calorie diet by a nutritionist, it was very structured around how many carbs I was allowed due to gestational diabetes, I would suggest consulting with your doctor or a nutritionist, so that you do what's best for your baby and yourself.

    Congratulations & Good Luck
  • TByrd1325
    TByrd1325 Posts: 920 Member
    I don't know of any websites to direct you to, sorry!
    I gained 50+ lbs when I was pregnant, I pretty much ate junk food all day and sat on my behind. I would suggest taking walks a lot (I don't know the physical activity limitations for pregnant women - check with your Dr. - but if you have a normal pregnancy, walking should be fine.)

    Make healthy choices with your cravings! If you want ice cream, go get some frozen yogurt. How do you eat now? I would suggest whole wheat bread, lots of fruit and vegetables, chicken&fish&turkey (all fully cooked!), smoothies. If you like pizza, opt for light cheese and thin crust. IF you like brownies, try those mini-bowls from Betty Crocker.

    Eat what you would want your baby to eat.

    Enjoy being pregnant!


    EDIT: I realized you needed calorie goals, sorry! I ate like a crazy woman, so I won't be much help.
  • a_new_mii
    a_new_mii Posts: 53
    Jenks, I might need you later for more advice. I got really sick yesterday. My arms and legs got really heavy, I felt weak all over and all shaky. I suspect low sugar, but can't call my Doc till tomorrow. It's too early for gestational diabetes- isn't it?
  • a_new_mii
    a_new_mii Posts: 53
    Tbyrd,
    I can't stand the smell of meat cooking right now. I'm eating very little meat- turkey and chicken is somewhat bearable but beef and pork is repulsive.
    I wasn't sick at all for my first pregnancy- so this morning noon and night sickness is pretty much new to me. I can't fathom a healthy vegetarian pregnancy without a lot of nutritional knowledge to back it. I'm lacking in that department- so I'm hoping this passes soon.
    I'm eating carbs- as whole grain as possible with mild cheese and vegetables galore.

    I really have a bad case of first trimester fatigue- I have fibromyalgia to start with. It's been tough staying out of bed but I do walk whenever I can bring myself to face the cold but my favorite workout is my wii fit plus. I think it's all easy enough- super low impact but you're right about checking with my doctor.
    Thanks for the advice.
  • MisdemeanorM
    MisdemeanorM Posts: 3,493 Member
    I am pretty sure it goes along the lines of
    1st Tri - no extra cals
    2/3 Tris - 200-300 extra - note, this is NOT much! It is like toast and an egg or yogurt and some pretzels or fruit and a granola bar. You are eating for 2, but you have to remember that #2 eats very little! :)

    The keys are to eat small amts through the day because you will likely be hungry a lot and to not fall into the "craving icecream" excuses (a lot of those are fake - i tell you, I crave icecream all the time not pregnant! Many pregnant women use it as an excuse! But you can listen to your body and if you ie, crave meat, up your iron, etc.)

    For your weight (I am not sure of your height) you should gain about 15lbs total during your pregnancy (I would ignore what you have gained so far and start fresh because you are not "supposed to" gain during the fist tri, but you NEED to gain during the 2nd and 3rd so don't try not to - just make sure it is only about .5 to under 1lb per week.)

    Also, if you can, stay active. If you are currently active, you should be able to keep it up with no problem. Looks like you had a rough go round last time so be sure to ask your doctor about ALL of this! Also, if you are put back on bed rest, that may lower your needed calories even further since you will be very sedentary at that point. So if it gets to this point, ask about diet changes then.

    Be sure to eat protein and to to take a multi vitamin with folic acid.

    There are a lot of pregnancy books and articles that include diet tips on a week by week basis - like this week up your protein to BLANK and include an example like "that is 4 tablespoons extra of tuna" or something...

    Some of these articles may be helpful too:

    http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/health_wellness/fitness_food_weight/article/plus-size-pregnancy-tips

    http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/health_wellness/fitness_food_weight/article/pregnancy-diet

    http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/health_wellness/fitness_food_weight-index#articles
  • Jenks
    Jenks Posts: 349
    Not a problem, feel free to msg me. However, if you already have other medical conditions I would suggest asking your ob/gyn for a referral to a nutritionist, really that's going to be the best way to find out what's best for YOU. My son will be 5 in a few months so I don't remember exactly when I got diagnosed, I may have been around 4 months along.
  • a_new_mii
    a_new_mii Posts: 53
    Thanks everyone! Never heard of babyzone on my way there now.
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