This article was actually sent to my husband via email. It's good and bad that my husband receives emails such as these. It's good because it keeps him in the loop as to what is going on with this baby girl. He gets the week to week emails to tell him what size she is, how she is growing and how I am feeling. I think they help him to realize what is happening to me during this time and I think it helps him cope with me a little better.
It's bad for the same reasons! He now knows that what I eat, little Miss eats, so I should eat more salads! He knows that she can hear us and so Mommy has to watch her language. It's sweet, though, when he rubs my belly and talks to her and calls her by name. We are still trying to keep that a secret, although I did tell my Grandmother. She was persistent! She loves the name!
Anyway, this article is all about what I should and shouldn't be eating. Now that I feel like a small tank, I think I need to really think about what's going into my mouth.
10 Fast Foods a Pregnant Woman Could Love and 5 to Avoid
10 Foods to Eat
1. Fruit
Grab an apple, banana, pear, orange, or another favorite fruit. Or if you prefer, try those handy little 4-ounce fruit cups, which count as one serving toward your daily recommendation for fruits and vegetables during pregnancy. Choose varieties packed in their own juice rather than in sugary syrup.
--I have to admit, I'm not a fruit person. Well, I'm not a healthy eater at all. I really only like apples and I prefer to eat them with peanut butter or caramel.
2. Raisins
A small (1 1/2-ounce) box provides a little boost of fiber, iron, and potassium while satisfying a sweet tooth.
--Absolutely not! Sorry. Not gonna happen. Can't stand them!
3. Yogurt
One 6-ounce container of this classic nutritious-and-convenient food can provide 25 percent of your daily calcium requirement, as well as protein and several necessary vitamins and minerals. If the label says "live and active cultures," you'll also get the benefit of probiotics – helpful bacteria that aid digestion and protect your digestive tract.
--Ask my husband, I have tried. I have tried flavored yogurts and plain yogurts. I've tried regular yogurts and Greek yogurt. I just don't like yogurt. It's bitter to me.
4. Make-it-yourself trail mix
Add a cup of whole grain cereal to a handful of your favorite dried fruits and nuts (try dried cherries and almonds, or dried cranberries and walnuts). Keep it in a resealable bag in your desk or car for a handy, crunchy snack.
--This would work if I actually liked dried fruits and nuts. Once again, just not a fan. I'm not a fan of whole grain cereal either but I can at least tolerate it.
5. Salad bar
Some fast-food restaurants and many grocery stores have salad bars where you can serve yourself practically a whole day's worth of fruits and vegetables. Load up on spinach, carrots, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, and zucchini. Add nuts, chickpeas, and kidney beans for a protein boost, and top with raisins for iron, fiber, and potassium.
--Now this I can deal with. I love salad bars! My husband and I are always in search of a great salad bar. We have a few restaurants that have the best salad bars ever! The problem is that I don't like all of the healthy stuff you're supposed to put on a salad! My salads usually consist of: Light green lettuce only, shredded cheese, ham cubes, croutons and french dressing. Probably not the right idea of healthy but at least it's something!
6. Baby carrots
Carrots are full of vitamin A and fiber, and you can find them in single-serving bags. Dip them in hummus or yogurt for an extra dose of nutrition or add a dab of salad dressing for flavor. Look for other prewashed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach to make a quick dinnertime stir-fry.
--Not a fan of carrots but I can eat them. I really only like the square ones you get with veggie trays. Yes, I know it's weird. Of course I don't like anything else that come on the tray (broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, etc).
7. String cheese
If you don't know about string cheese now, just wait until your baby is a toddler – this food is likely to become a favorite snack. Low-fat mozzarella sticks are full of calcium, and one stick provides the same amount of protein as an 8-ounce glass of milk.
--I LOVE cheese! I didn't know the health benefit of eating string cheese but I do now so I'll try to eat more. I did have some string cheese at the beginning of my pregnancy and it gave me an upset stomach so I haven't had any since. Milk doesn't seem to bother me now that I'm pregnant (couldn't drink it before) so I'll have to add string cheese to my grocery list.
8. Orange juice fortified with calcium and vitamin D
Just half a cup provides half the daily requirement of vitamin C and about 15 percent of your calcium needs. Grab a juice box (check the labels for maximum fortification) when you're on the go.
--I really don't like orange juice, never have. The only orange juice I can tolerate is Sunny Delight, and I think that's pushing it. I'll have to check the label and see how it compares to other OJ brands. If it works, I'll drink some.
9. Whole grain cereal or instant oatmeal
Stash a few single-serving packages in your desk at work for a quick, filling snack. Almost all breakfast cereal is now fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid.
--Instant oatmeal is a big NO. Never liked the stuff. I'm not a fan of whole grain cereal but when my husband is on a health kick, it's all we have in the house so I'll eat it. I prefer Captain Crunch!
10. Fat-free or low-fat cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a good source of protein and a fair source of calcium. Look for single-serving containers in the dairy section of most grocery stores. Top with fruit or throw in a handful of nuts and dried fruit to make things more interesting.
--I don't like cheese this much. Not a fan of cottage cheese. Just looking at it makes me vomit a little.
5 Foods to Avoid
1. Packaged ramen noodles
Read the label: These quick-cooking noodles are packed with salt, fat, and little else.
--Such a shame...I love Ramen noodles. I haven't eaten them too often during my pregnancy because I know that they are packed with salt but I actually enjoy eating them.
2. Soda
If you fill up on empty calories and sugar, you won't have any room for more nutritious drinks. Low-fat milk, water, and juice are better choices.
--I really thought soda would give me a hard time. My husband and I used to drink horrible sodas like Mountain Dew. We got off the Dew and moved to less sugary sodas like Diet Pepsi. Up until I got pregnant, we drank nothing but Pepsi Max. Fortunately, that didn't make me feel very good once I got pregnant so I stopped drinking it. Unfortunately, I switched to Root Beer. It's all I drank! But, I got tired of it and now it's strictly water. Once in a while I will take a sip of my husband's soda but I'm pretty happy with water and hope I can stick to water after the baby comes.
3. Shelf-stable commercial lunches
Sure, they're a quick fix for hunger pangs, but preservatives, salt, and fat make most of them a poor choice. There are some okay packaged lunch options out there, though, so check the labels!
--Although I'm a fan, I don't eat these. I never really have. I have thought about buying some but just never did. Good thing!
4. Too many frozen prepared meals
There are some good choices out there, but many have astronomical amounts of salt and fat. Instead, pop a potato in the microwave, then top it with cheese and steamed broccoli for a fast, healthy meal. If you can't avoid the occasional frozen meal, look for organic brands that are low in salt and fat.
--I have pretty much given these up as well. It used to be easy for me to make these at work but I just don't buy them anymore. Occasionally I'll be hungry for pizza and will grab a frozen mini pizza at the store or eat a hot pocket but for the most part, I stay away!
5. Iceberg lettuce
When it comes to lettuce, choose greens, such as romaine, that are full of fiber, A and C vitamins, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. Iceberg lettuce has only trace amounts of these nutrients.
--I have never been more happy about my picky-ness for lettuce. I am made fun of all of the time because I only like the lighter green or darker green lettuce. I will pick through a salad bar bowl for this lettuce and I won't order a salad from any restaurant. Yay for me!
At least I'm not eating most of the foods on the 'avoid' list. I will have to start working on eating more food on the 'good' list! Keep watch for my next update!
It's bad for the same reasons! He now knows that what I eat, little Miss eats, so I should eat more salads! He knows that she can hear us and so Mommy has to watch her language. It's sweet, though, when he rubs my belly and talks to her and calls her by name. We are still trying to keep that a secret, although I did tell my Grandmother. She was persistent! She loves the name!
Anyway, this article is all about what I should and shouldn't be eating. Now that I feel like a small tank, I think I need to really think about what's going into my mouth.
10 Fast Foods a Pregnant Woman Could Love and 5 to Avoid
10 Foods to Eat
1. Fruit
Grab an apple, banana, pear, orange, or another favorite fruit. Or if you prefer, try those handy little 4-ounce fruit cups, which count as one serving toward your daily recommendation for fruits and vegetables during pregnancy. Choose varieties packed in their own juice rather than in sugary syrup.
--I have to admit, I'm not a fruit person. Well, I'm not a healthy eater at all. I really only like apples and I prefer to eat them with peanut butter or caramel.
2. Raisins
A small (1 1/2-ounce) box provides a little boost of fiber, iron, and potassium while satisfying a sweet tooth.
--Absolutely not! Sorry. Not gonna happen. Can't stand them!
3. Yogurt
One 6-ounce container of this classic nutritious-and-convenient food can provide 25 percent of your daily calcium requirement, as well as protein and several necessary vitamins and minerals. If the label says "live and active cultures," you'll also get the benefit of probiotics – helpful bacteria that aid digestion and protect your digestive tract.
--Ask my husband, I have tried. I have tried flavored yogurts and plain yogurts. I've tried regular yogurts and Greek yogurt. I just don't like yogurt. It's bitter to me.
4. Make-it-yourself trail mix
Add a cup of whole grain cereal to a handful of your favorite dried fruits and nuts (try dried cherries and almonds, or dried cranberries and walnuts). Keep it in a resealable bag in your desk or car for a handy, crunchy snack.
--This would work if I actually liked dried fruits and nuts. Once again, just not a fan. I'm not a fan of whole grain cereal either but I can at least tolerate it.
5. Salad bar
Some fast-food restaurants and many grocery stores have salad bars where you can serve yourself practically a whole day's worth of fruits and vegetables. Load up on spinach, carrots, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, and zucchini. Add nuts, chickpeas, and kidney beans for a protein boost, and top with raisins for iron, fiber, and potassium.
--Now this I can deal with. I love salad bars! My husband and I are always in search of a great salad bar. We have a few restaurants that have the best salad bars ever! The problem is that I don't like all of the healthy stuff you're supposed to put on a salad! My salads usually consist of: Light green lettuce only, shredded cheese, ham cubes, croutons and french dressing. Probably not the right idea of healthy but at least it's something!
6. Baby carrots
Carrots are full of vitamin A and fiber, and you can find them in single-serving bags. Dip them in hummus or yogurt for an extra dose of nutrition or add a dab of salad dressing for flavor. Look for other prewashed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach to make a quick dinnertime stir-fry.
--Not a fan of carrots but I can eat them. I really only like the square ones you get with veggie trays. Yes, I know it's weird. Of course I don't like anything else that come on the tray (broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, etc).
7. String cheese
If you don't know about string cheese now, just wait until your baby is a toddler – this food is likely to become a favorite snack. Low-fat mozzarella sticks are full of calcium, and one stick provides the same amount of protein as an 8-ounce glass of milk.
--I LOVE cheese! I didn't know the health benefit of eating string cheese but I do now so I'll try to eat more. I did have some string cheese at the beginning of my pregnancy and it gave me an upset stomach so I haven't had any since. Milk doesn't seem to bother me now that I'm pregnant (couldn't drink it before) so I'll have to add string cheese to my grocery list.
8. Orange juice fortified with calcium and vitamin D
Just half a cup provides half the daily requirement of vitamin C and about 15 percent of your calcium needs. Grab a juice box (check the labels for maximum fortification) when you're on the go.
--I really don't like orange juice, never have. The only orange juice I can tolerate is Sunny Delight, and I think that's pushing it. I'll have to check the label and see how it compares to other OJ brands. If it works, I'll drink some.
9. Whole grain cereal or instant oatmeal
Stash a few single-serving packages in your desk at work for a quick, filling snack. Almost all breakfast cereal is now fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid.
--Instant oatmeal is a big NO. Never liked the stuff. I'm not a fan of whole grain cereal but when my husband is on a health kick, it's all we have in the house so I'll eat it. I prefer Captain Crunch!
10. Fat-free or low-fat cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a good source of protein and a fair source of calcium. Look for single-serving containers in the dairy section of most grocery stores. Top with fruit or throw in a handful of nuts and dried fruit to make things more interesting.
--I don't like cheese this much. Not a fan of cottage cheese. Just looking at it makes me vomit a little.
5 Foods to Avoid
1. Packaged ramen noodles
Read the label: These quick-cooking noodles are packed with salt, fat, and little else.
--Such a shame...I love Ramen noodles. I haven't eaten them too often during my pregnancy because I know that they are packed with salt but I actually enjoy eating them.
2. Soda
If you fill up on empty calories and sugar, you won't have any room for more nutritious drinks. Low-fat milk, water, and juice are better choices.
--I really thought soda would give me a hard time. My husband and I used to drink horrible sodas like Mountain Dew. We got off the Dew and moved to less sugary sodas like Diet Pepsi. Up until I got pregnant, we drank nothing but Pepsi Max. Fortunately, that didn't make me feel very good once I got pregnant so I stopped drinking it. Unfortunately, I switched to Root Beer. It's all I drank! But, I got tired of it and now it's strictly water. Once in a while I will take a sip of my husband's soda but I'm pretty happy with water and hope I can stick to water after the baby comes.
3. Shelf-stable commercial lunches
Sure, they're a quick fix for hunger pangs, but preservatives, salt, and fat make most of them a poor choice. There are some okay packaged lunch options out there, though, so check the labels!
--Although I'm a fan, I don't eat these. I never really have. I have thought about buying some but just never did. Good thing!
4. Too many frozen prepared meals
There are some good choices out there, but many have astronomical amounts of salt and fat. Instead, pop a potato in the microwave, then top it with cheese and steamed broccoli for a fast, healthy meal. If you can't avoid the occasional frozen meal, look for organic brands that are low in salt and fat.
--I have pretty much given these up as well. It used to be easy for me to make these at work but I just don't buy them anymore. Occasionally I'll be hungry for pizza and will grab a frozen mini pizza at the store or eat a hot pocket but for the most part, I stay away!
5. Iceberg lettuce
When it comes to lettuce, choose greens, such as romaine, that are full of fiber, A and C vitamins, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. Iceberg lettuce has only trace amounts of these nutrients.
--I have never been more happy about my picky-ness for lettuce. I am made fun of all of the time because I only like the lighter green or darker green lettuce. I will pick through a salad bar bowl for this lettuce and I won't order a salad from any restaurant. Yay for me!
At least I'm not eating most of the foods on the 'avoid' list. I will have to start working on eating more food on the 'good' list! Keep watch for my next update!
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