what a pregnant girl eats (weeks 1-20)

Since week six of my pregnancy I have brought a bag of snacks with me everywhere I go. I have never been a big eater but obviously it is important to eat more when you are pregnant. In general my appetite is higher than before, and there are also days where I just can't seem to eat enough. My midwife says this is OK because my weight gain has been minimal thus far (four pounds at week 18). Let me say that I probably don't eat as well as I should, but I have been more conscious of getting more fruit and vegetables in my diet. Basically, I've added a higher calorie breakfast and one to three daily snacks to my diet. I've been drinking mostly water with Cellfood, but I do allow myself caffeine and drink pop about once a week (it would be more often but we've stopped buying it at the grocery store).

BREAKFAST

  • 4 Hostess Donettes (in the 1st trimester I lost my appetite and had to make each meal as exciting as possible)
  • 1 pouch of blueberry Hostess Mini Muffins (2nd trimester)
  • Glass of water

MID-MORNING SNACK (1st Trimester)

In the 1st trimester I typically ate a mid-morning snack to ward off nausea. I haven't seemed to need this snack during the 2nd trimester.
  • A couple graham crackers
  • Saltines
  • Raisins

LUNCH

See all of our sack lunch rotations here. This is what it's been as of late:
  • Kraft macaroni and cheese cup (or chicken noodle soup)
  • At least one fruit, maybe two: cherry tomatoes, honey crisp apple and/or raspberries
  • Chips
  • Water

SNACK

I splurge a bit more in my afternoon snack...
  • Cookies
  • Chips
  • Pita chips
  • Candy bar

DINNER

  • I'm eating more in general during dinner, and every once in a while I get really hungry and eat twice as much as I usually do (which is kind of fun!).

SNACK

Sometimes I also need a bedtime snack, or nightie lunch, as I like to call it. I usually reach for:
  • A huge pickle (or two!)
  • Ice cream

PRENATAL VITAMINS

  • I've found that taking my prenatal vitamins before I go to bed allows me to wake up and get ready before needing breakfast (I eat on my way to work). I take a general prenatal vitamin and a calcium supplement (both gummies). Did you know that if you don't get enough calcium while pregnant that your baby takes calcium from your own bones? And then later in life you have to deal with the effects? No one wants that!

CRAVINGS

  • Chocolate milk!
  • Pickles
  • Cheese! Mostly in the form of queso.
motherhoodkelsey williamsComment