As I am writing this, it’s currently 9:30 and I am chowing down on last night’s leftovers of turkey sammie that included some bacon, cheese and this delicious bread. My hands are literally slipping on the keys because my fingers are greasy.
If you are cringing right now, don’t worry — I ate several slices of apple to combat that.
Join our Community of Peaceful Living Wellness Warriors
and receive a special free gift:
Our Top 5 Tips for Peaceful Living
But seriously though….
Last time I shared with you a little about my fitness journey being pregnant. Today, I wanted to share with you some insight into my nutrition.
I am not going to bore you with the don’t eat list, you can basically look that up anywhere. However, I wanted to share with you the real truth about how nutrition has gone for me, in hopes to make you feel better, in hopes you can relate when you can’t seem to eat the veggies but the French fries keep calling your name.
Okay here goes. When I first got pregnant, I had this delicious and beautiful naive notion that I was going to be able to eat as clean as possible from greens and shakes to lean meats (sort of like I did when I wasn’t pregnant).
Well, the nausea and the food aversions quickly dimmed that dream quick. The only vegetables I could eat for the first month or so was green beans and French fries. Any type of lean meat was out. About the only thing wanted were dry process carbs. And let me tell you it was discouraging because as we all know we usually avoid those because they are deemed “UNHEALTHY” and I was so seriously scared of gaining weight that I would get all emotional. And worst of all I couldn’t even have my life juice: coffee.
Nauseated, sick, tired, discouraged, caffeine deprived and grumpy I trudge through the battlefield of the first trimester.
Related Post: PLAN, PREP, CONSISTENCY! The 3 Keys to Health & Fitness Goals!
I hated it because all I could think about was how much weight I was gaining.
But the truth is there is a bigger picture here. I didn’t need to be obsessed with my outward appearance and gaining weight. I am having a baby, of course I am going to gain weight, that is a part of it, right? But it was still hard. Because we have a socially accepted idea of what we should look that and alterations and changes can be scary. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Yeah, there are some days when the insecurities are high, and I eat some really bad food and I feel down but I quickly remind myself what that bigger picture is.
So back to eating….
Like I was saying the beginning was hard. I ate healthy when I could and gave into the cravings when I needed to but smaller portions.
After the first trimester, the nausea and food aversions dissipated quickly and I was able to get back to some normal eating patterns. Lettuce didn’t make me puke and I could stand the smell of meat being cooked and best of all I could have one cup of coffee and not gag.
The biggest thing I have learned in this whole process (I still have a long way to go) is intuitive eating.
Yes!! As you know, when your baby is growing there isn’t much room for a lot of food in there. When I first got my appetite back I would eat till the point I was so stuffed and uncomfortable and my stomach would be poked out so far. It was miserable and then came the heartburn (fyi when you’re pregnant it takes longer for your food to process so you can get heartburn from being too full or hungry…crazy).
Related Post: Pregnancy: Where Does Exercise Fit In?
So through trial and error, I learned safe and healthy portions to eat at one time and the foods that won’t trigger heartburn. Right now I am sticking to a lot of basic foods (back to eating most veggies and lean means), and staying away from a lot of processed food, spicy foods and ABSOLUTELY NO TOMATO BASED SAUCES.
Another thing I have had to troubleshoot is constipation. That might be TMI but if you are trying to get pregnant it can be an uncomfortable issue. Pregnancy changed my diet a lot in the beginning, eating a lot of processed carb-based foods and drinking a lot of water at once left my stomach, swishy. So things started to slow down, which affected nausea levels energy and just my overall comfort level.
To solve that problem. Numero Uno HYDRATE. HYDRATE. HYDRATE. Mainly water. And listen maybe I am a water snob but the only water I am able to drink is purified bottled water. Sounds crazy but literally the only one that does have funky taste. So a girls got to do what a girls got to do.
Eating lots of fiber has also helped. From fruits and veggies to whole wheat bread I really increased the amount as well as taking a fiber supplement.
Eating smaller portions has not only helped with the acid reflux and indigestion but it as also helped digestion run more smoothly…no pun intended.
Making sure I get my vitamins. Pills have been a complete no go for me, (they make me so nauseated), so I have been doing a breakfast supplement drink. Micronutrients (aka vitamins and minerals) are fundamental in proper body function, especially digestion. Taking these have truly helped my body run better and I also have way more energy.
A probiotic and prebiotic have also become part of my daily routine, since they really help with the breakdown of food.
Just a reminder though, this is my personal journey and what I have done is based on my doctor’s recommendations. Make sure you speak to your doctor if you are experiencing any of the above issues and as well as talk to them before using any supplements.
The daily routine is new and I am still getting used to it as well as having to tinker with it as my body keeps changing but all in all my nutrition has been for the most part normal since coming out of the first trimester.
But what I really want you to take away from this is that, every pregnancy is different and these are just some things I have tried that have made my life a lot easier. And that this is a safe space and that eating healthy is important but there are gonna be days when all you want is yoga, pants Gilmore Girl reruns and a bottomless plate of tater tots. That’s just how it goes. So embrace the journey, give yourself some grace and take it day my day.
Stay tuned because next month I am sharing 30 things that I am absolutely in love with from yoga pants brands and exercises to foods and other products.
Lyndsey Bobola understands the struggles of losing weight and getting healthy. She has lost over 65 pounds through her fitness journey. Breaking through the fad diets and exercise routines and giving up excuses, Lyndsey created goals and developed nutrition plans that worked! She gained a healthy lifestyle and now feels better than ever before. As her life improved, Lyndsey developed a passion to help others discover the path to a healthier life.
Now, Lyndsey is here to help clients cut through the noise of Instagram fitness models and fad diets to find real, lasting change. She is here to help people who are ready to improve their life through fitness, health, and life goals.
Scrolling through Instagram accounts of so-called fitness models, Pinterest meal prep ideas, and online workout programs with no scientific backing, Lyndsey realized a majority of fitness ideas online are wrong. They are designed for quick but not lasting results, to make you feel inadequate, or to get your money and leave you hanging. Lyndsey wants to change that through education and hands-on training. Taking no excuses, she provides honest and effective guidance for people who are ready for change.
You can also find Lyndsey on:
