Pregnancy diet

[redsquirrel]

As all of you know, I am finally pregnant. I'm 3 months pregnant, and already showing...I didn't know that you show earlier w/ your 2nd. I've gained about 12 lbs.

While I have enjoyed the freedom to eat like I've never really eaten before, I'm starting to realize that it's time to clean up the diet a little bit. I really do't want to gain more than 35 lbs. I'd like to keep it at 30. The average gain is 3 lbs a month, so I'm on track there. But, in the 7th and 8th month I've read you gain quite a bit....which concerns me I've gained too much already. My diet isn't anything like it was a few weeks ago, FYI. Sonis has been working out of town for the past 3 weeks, so I haven't gotten in the habit of cooking dinners, which only made me get even more off course. I also couldn't go to the gym because I had to get home to let the dogs out after being closed off for 12 hours.

My appetite has really changed. I'm not as desperately hungry as I have been before. It was bad there for a few weeks. I'm hungry for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a small meal after that. I've tried to pack my lunch for this past week, but I don't know what I want to eat until it is time to eat it. So, it makes it difficult to plan...But, I don't want to have to keep eating out, since it's normally not very healthy.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what I could or should do?

[Bouncer]

healthy fats, complex carbs, lean proteins. no sugar.

follow those guidelines and eat whatever you want. healthy for the baby, healthy for you, and will keep you satisfied.

[Pumpdogg]

Great advice B
My wife has had 3 kids, 4th one on the way.. In her frist pregnancy when she was really hungry and wanting sncaks, she ate frozen fruti.. like strawberrys, watermelon etc.. she also ate mixed nuts without peanuts ( healthy fats ) and even sometimes she would snack on protien bars if she wanted something sweet that was like candy..

Worked really well for her that go around and she only gained 17 lbs.. she did not diet by any means, nor did she deprive herself of food, she really just ate healhty..
veggies every single day etc...She was smaller after she delieverd our first baby than she was before she got pregnant..

The second and third pregnancy she ate cookies, ice cream and alot of sweet sugary food.. she gained 25 lbs with those pregnancys and did not return to smaller size before wanting to get pregnant again.. which she did.. lol

Anyways, my point is this.. Gaining up to 30 lbs is fine according to her doctor, so dont sweat the weight.. Healthy babys are what we want, and I know YOU can lose the weight for sure.. Also eating healthy seems to have been much better as far as body comp is concerned for my wife.. This time around, she has eaten much like the first pregnancy and everything is going well and she feels better...

You gotta gain the weight for the baby.. It will all be ok!!

[magdalena]

In my first pregnancy I gained 25lbs from the starting weight, but I also gained what I lost for the first 4 months (16 lbs). I couldn't eat and was playing basketball for a few hours a day.

This time around I started out heavier than last time, lost 9lbs at the beginning, started slowly getting it back, and during just those last 4 weeks I gained 9 lbs...so the body knows how to make sure you stay healthy. 8 and 9 months you gain a lot, but there is also a jump at about 6-7 month.
I am eating healthy, nothing crazy though, eat plenty of fruits every day, some veggies here and there, water, juices, milk, cereal...and since I started feeling better after 16th week I started eating what I want when I want. Nothing crazy of course and in smaller portions.
Give yourself a break and enjoy this time when you can eat what you want without feeling bad about it. Not suggesting a gallon of ice cream at one sitting, everything moderate, just make sure your diet is healthy. Which I am sure it is.
Good luck with everything.

[FitnessBrat]

Funny you posted this - I was just going to suggest (since the womens forum is so slow) that maybe you keep some sort of "journal" type thing following your pregnancy. Not like a daily diary, but maybe how you exercise now, etc.

With my first baby, I gained 25 pounds. I didn't eat crazy at all, and I went home to put on my pre-pregnancy jeans. But I was also 20. :wacko: With my second baby (7 years later), I gained 38 pounds and ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I knew I had the ability to diet when it was over, so I really wasn't concerned. I was in very good shape when I got pregnant and had good intentions to lift/do cardio the whole time. Unfortunately my OB put an immediate halt to it, so I figured what the hell lol. You definitely gain at the end, but that's when the baby starts packing on his/her weight.

And YES, you definitely show sooner with the second baby! With my first I was wearing my bikini at 5 months and you couldn't tell. With the second, I think I had a belly the day after I found out. :P

I'd say make sure you eat small meals throughout the day (which you're used to anyway) and if you're craving something - eat it!

[redsquirrel]

Thanks for the tips! I'm not depriving myself by any means...But, I've decided to try and clean up the diet this week. Last few weeks were pretty much a free for all since I couldn't go to the gym, and didn't have to cook dinner. Been to the gym twice this week, I'm committing to 4 days/week...w/ 20 min cardio sessions at each. That's about all I can squeeze in on my lunch break. Diet has been cleaner this week. Every day for breakfast, I'm having 1/3c oatmeal & 3 egg whites w/ 1 whole. Lunch is leftovers from the night before...Mon was chicken kebobs, Tues was chicken marsala. Today I'm treating myself to a Chicken Waldorf salad from California Pizza Kitchen. I usually have an afternoon snack of like a granola bar & an apple....Today it'll be an apple & almonds. Dinners have been some of my lunches...although last night I made pot roast in the Crock Pot. DEE LISH! Of course had the mashed tata's & green bean casserole! Tonight I think I'll cook shrimp in a wine & garlic sauce over pasta.

My next OB appointment is this Friday. And, all I have to say- whoever invented maternity wear ought to be shot. The fit on some of this stuff is just horrendous.