Pregnant? What are you eating?

[24/7Mamma]

Can we talk about this, ladies?

I have been up this scale and back down, 6 times. It always takes me forever to lose pregnancy weight!

So here I am again, thrilled to be expecting (due May 31st). After #6, I took the weight off eating low carb instead of WW. So its got me thinking about eating well in pregnancy, but differently than I have in the past. I am already convinced of the importance of quality proteins and not to be afraid of good fats. I'm not so convinced that consuming pasta, potatoes and rice are necessary for making a healthy baby.

I am guessing I'll be picking up extra carbs in things like glasses of milk, and more fruit than I would eat normally. I'll be switching from my carbmaster yogurt (has splenda in it) to Greek Yogurt, which is higher as well. I was thinking of adding in Flatout bread, which I like and is relatively low carb.

What are you eating? How are you going to determine how many starchy grains and breads you are going to eat?

[brooke&kaitlynsmom]

I've been thinking about this alot lately as well. I did a home test sunday and it was positive, so I am waiting for my first dr appt on the 19th. (If it is confirmed, which I am sure it will cause I already feel pregnant, yuck LOL, than I will probably be due in May as well. My lmp was Aug 27) I weigh 280+ and I am very worried about getting over 300. I don't want to, obviously, but I am more concerned than normal, because this is baby #5 for me and I am going to be 40 at the end of Oct. I know I can't do induction while preg, but I am very seriously considering curbing my carb intake (I haven't been doing low carb in a long time). I figure just like you said, that I will be getting a lot of my carbs in fruits and veggies and whole grain breads and pastas instead of just a bunch of white bread and other junk.

I am really worried about gaining too much weight, cause I always have a sciatic nerve problem in late preg, but this time around, I can already barely walk. My last baby flared up the problem almost this early, but not quite so early.

Any way, congrats to both of us. I'm going to talk to my dr about lowering my carbs and about how low is low enought and how low is too much. I know I am not supposed to go into ketosis. I just need to get a better idea of how I am going to handle this situation. Let me know how yours goes.

[24/7Mamma]

I had almost given up hope that anyone was going to respond! We have a due date within a few days of each other (there's a million online due date estimators...that's what I used). My lmp was the 21st of August. I've been lc-ing for over a year now. I had about 10 lbs to get to my ideal weight, but it wasn't coming off. I don't really know what my maintenance carb level is. Everyone says, "just go on maintenance" but when our blood volume is increasing and the other things that happen in the first trimester, it makes it kind of hard to figure it out. I did look at a gestational diabetes web page that seemed to suggest that about 15 carbs of starches per meal, along with meat and veggies was a good place to start. If that's a good baseline, then I'm thinking maybe aiming for 75 carbs? Seems so high! My weight loss carb level is around 30. In fooling around with menus, I've discovered that its awfully easy to inch up to 75 carbs just by drinking things like a glass of milk (12 carbs per cup) and an extra piece of fruit or two.

Have you heard of this book?

Amazon.com: Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility...
I'm reading it right now. I *loved* her first book, Real Food. She breaks eating for 2 down into a totally different way than the usual books (What To Eat When You are Expecting makes me crazy). She recommends different foods for each trimester instead. She wouldn't call herself a low carb-er, but the diet she recommends is essentially a meat/dairy/vegetable/fruit diet with the occasional whole grain thrown in, so it seems to jive well for lc-ers. Right now, my plan is to avoid all sugar like the plague. Also, pasta. I have no self control when it comes to pasta so its better for me to just avoid it altogether. Not sure what I'm going to do about bread, though. Seems like it might not be a good idea to not have *any* grain carbs? But I'm not sure. That's why I was hoping to get some conversation started here. Seems like there are a lot of pregnant women.

Congratulations! Let us know what the doc. says about lowering your carb count. My appt is Monday.

[translationmx]

I want that book too!!

[brooke&kaitlynsmom]

Originally Posted by translationmx

I want that book too!!

You and me both. I always knew about eating red meat helping to increase milk production. Also, I always wondered about why cereal is most babies' first solids.

[brooke&kaitlynsmom]

Originally Posted by 24/7Mamma

I had almost given up hope that anyone was going to respond! We have a due date within a few days of each other (there's a million online due date estimators...that's what I used). My lmp was the 21st of August.

Congratulations! Let us know what the doc. says about lowering your carb count. My appt is Monday.

I seemed to have gotten my dates mixed up. I "believe" my lmp to be July 31st. (Aug 27th was my lmp when I was preg with my last baby...lol....guess I really do have mommy brain) I can't for the life of me remember if I had a period since then or not. I just started "feeling" like I was pregnant and decided to do a home test and viola.

Guess the dr can make a determination when I go. My appt is Mon, Oct 19th. Can barely wait, I'm so excited.

[24/7Mamma]

I haven't read the chapters on nursing and feeding the baby's first foods, but I have read the first several chapters more than once now. She doesn't seem to think that eating for 2 is necessary at all in the first trimester. She talks about the mind numbing exhaustion and the that is so common. She talks more about eating really good food when you can get something down. Quality dairy (she is a big champion of raw milk and cheese), beef, vegetables, etc...whatever you can stomach.

So far I am only eating bread about 1ce every three days or so, and then its still measured. But milk tastes really good to me right now (something I wasn't eating before at all) so I have probably picked up 24 carbs over 2 glasses of milk already, and I've also switched to real yogurt instead of carbmasters (these have splenda in them), which added some carbs. I have also increased my fruit intake from 1 to either 2 or 3 servings a day, which is between 20-30 additional carbs, too.

I dropped the occasional Atkins bars completely. I learned in that book that eating soy can deplete a growing baby boy's fertility!!!

I also discovered reading cans that many many brands of canned tuna have soy in them as well...its hidden in the "vegetable broth" that is listed.

No change on the scale, so far, which I think is good. I mean, how much weight gain should one show for weeks 4-6, kwim?

I was told by a midwife that stevia is a safe sweetener for pregnancy, but does anyone know if the Maltitol (sugar alcohols) that is in my favorite carb controlled chocolate is safe?

[translationmx]

Hi brooke&kaitlynsmom!! I'm currently reading Jennifer Omner's Primal Body-Primal Mind... quite an eye opener!! My guess it goes along the same lines of Real Food for Mother and Baby. I'm definitely getting it when I finish reading this one. Even though I'm still not pregnant I want to have all the info available beforehand. I'm losing weight because I want to have a healthy pregnancy. Congratulations to you all for your new babies!!

[Kisha]

Originally Posted by brooke&kaitlynsmom

You and me both. I always knew about eating red meat helping to increase milk production. Also, I always wondered about why cereal is most babies' first solids.

I think its all about what the baby can easily digest. But I dont believe newborns neeeed cereal. I do think that they need more carb intake than older children, as theyre needs are higher to help build their brains. As most of the proteins and fats are already accounted for, just building up their body's.

I am diabetic, I'll have to continue maintaining my weight with a low carb regime. I probably will add an extra helping of veggies to each meal to compensate any other needs my baby might need. This is just my opinion. It's better to error on the side of caution than to over do it and have a huge baby. I won't be adding back in carbs, whole grains, or any form of starch. Insulin resistance and blood sugar levels increase (if you have that problem) while pregnant. Too much and it's bad for you and the baby.

[24/7Mamma]

Originally Posted by Kisha

I am diabetic, I'll have to continue maintaining my weight with a low carb regime. I probably will add an extra helping of veggies to each meal to compensate any other needs my baby might need. This is just my opinion. It's better to error on the side of caution than to over do it and have a huge baby. I won't be adding back in carbs, whole grains, or any form of starch. Insulin resistance and blood sugar levels increase (if you have that problem) while pregnant. Too much and it's bad for you and the baby.

So you are going to just completely avoid grains, potatoes, rice, etc? I am not convinced that these are really necessary to make a healthy baby anyway. What about milk?

[Kisha]

Originally Posted by 24/7Mamma

So you are going to just completely avoid grains, potatoes, rice, etc? I am not convinced that these are really necessary to make a healthy baby anyway. What about milk?

No milk, eating cheese tho!

The bad carbs simply put aren't necessary.

The carbs I'll eat are likely low carb veggies and fruits. Like I might have 1 bite of my daughters banana or 1 slice of apple.

I think doctors like to scare you into believing that you need carbs. I just dont believe it. Now I do believe in vita nutrition. Thats where the veggies come in.

Also I am avoiding Trans fats, vegatable oils, hydrogenated oils, and any form of high frutose corn syrup. As natural as I can get.

[translationmx]

Originally Posted by Kisha

No milk, eating cheese tho!

The bad carbs simply put aren't necessary.

The carbs I'll eat are likely low carb veggies and fruits. Like I might have 1 bite of my daughters banana or 1 slice of apple.

I think doctors like to scare you into believing that you need carbs. I just dont believe it. Now I do believe in vita nutrition. Thats where the veggies come in.

Also I am avoiding Trans fats, vegatable oils, hydrogenated oils, and any form of high frutose corn syrup. As natural as I can get.

I totally agree with you Kisha! I think that's the best and healthiest approach, both for pregnant and non-pregnant people

[24/7Mamma]

Originally Posted by Kisha

Also I am avoiding Trans fats, vegatable oils, hydrogenated oils, and any form of high frutose corn syrup. As natural as I can get.

Me too. Real fat from pastured meats, olive oil, coconut oil and cod liver oil (blech). But I am drinking milk. Actually, I'm kind of excited. I just found a connection for raw cow's milk locally.

I'm also avoiding sugar like the plague. I'm using stevia to sweeten iced tea and homemade yogurt. Does anyone know if maltitol is bad for you like splenda/nutrasweet, or is it more in the harmless category like stevia? Just wondering because the chocolate I like at Trader Joe's has maltitol in it. Trying to imagine the next 9 months without chocolate is kind of hard.

ETA: Rebecca, I love your signature line! :-)

[translationmx]

Originally Posted by 24/7Mamma

Trying to imagine the next 9 months without chocolate is kind of hard.

ETA: Rebecca, I love your signature line! :-)

Mark Sisson is the bomb, he has the best quotes!

I have to agree with you... life without "legal" chocolate looks like a rockier road

Actually, I've read and heard that raw, unpasteurized milk is very good for you. Luckily you have a supply in your area

[Kisha]

I'd love to try some "raw" milk. It sounds awesome! I tried to buy some from the locol co-0p but it turned out to be just whole milk. I was disappointed. I bet I could find it here, but I am sure it's expensive. And my husband is on a non-spending rampage. So I guess "raw" milk is out.

[24/7Mamma]

Originally Posted by Kisha

I'd love to try some "raw" milk. It sounds awesome! I tried to buy some from the locol co-0p but it turned out to be just whole milk. I was disappointed. I bet I could find it here, but I am sure it's expensive. And my husband is on a non-spending rampage. So I guess "raw" milk is out.

I got a 1/2 gallon last night. It is just lovely. The cream rises to the top but you can just tip the jar a few times and it goes right back in without creating any lumps or anything (this is Jersey cow milk). My entire family, which includes some very suspicious kids who remember when I tried to pull raw goat's milk on them, all pronounced it "normal". We live in the country so its a matter of finding families who share similar health goals to find affordable milk and beef, and we raise our own chickens for meat and eggs. I don't pay for certified anything. That makes the cost pretty much unreachable for the majority of families, especially families that have more than 2 children. But I know these families, their children play with mine, so I feel confident that their animals are pastured rather than grain fed, and antibiotics are out of the question. They are feeding their own families after all, too.

[momof9]

hi..my sig needs to change. i just found out that i am pregnant. i am due june 15th(my daughter's birthday is the 16th) this will be our 13th pregnancy and hopefully 11th living child. i have 8 daughters 2 sons. i have lost 50lbs on atkins and got pregnant(this always happens) i plan to do maintence right now i am at 35-55 carbs a day. i must avoid all bread because it causes me to bindge. i have noticed that i have no morning sickness that i usually do. i hope it keeps up..hard to eat eggs with that. you mentioned drinking raw milk..you may want to talk to your dr. because raw milk can give you listeria (a bacteria that can cause miscarraige) just mention to him/her and see what they think. well i am 43 so i am the oldest here i am sure so i hope to hear more from pregnant atkins moms

[brooke&kaitlynsmom]

Pregnant? What are you eating?


Not much of anything at this point. I have had the worst case of "morning" sickness in my life. I have only read about women who have had it last all day, but now.....sheesh. I am nauseous from morning until well into the late night. My friend told me to try to eat and if I feel sick, then to keep eating cause the baby is apparantly needing something. Well, all that did was make it worse. At least it's all worth it. I would hate to feel like this for nothing....lol

[24/7Mamma]

Originally Posted by momof9

hi..my sig needs to change. i just found out that i am pregnant. i am due june 15th(my daughter's birthday is the 16th) this will be our 13th pregnancy and hopefully 11th living child. i have 8 daughters 2 sons. i have lost 50lbs on atkins and got pregnant(this always happens) i plan to do maintence right now i am at 35-55 carbs a day. i must avoid all bread because it causes me to bindge. i have noticed that i have no morning sickness that i usually do. i hope it keeps up..hard to eat eggs with that. you mentioned drinking raw milk..you may want to talk to your dr. because raw milk can give you listeria (a bacteria that can cause miscarraige) just mention to him/her and see what they think. well i am 43 so i am the oldest here i am sure so i hope to hear more from pregnant atkins moms

Sounds like we have a few things in common. This is my 8th pregnancy, with 6 living children and one miscarriage, many years ago.

I'm 39, and also lost about 50 lbs and was moving into maintenance when I found out we are expecting. I am also wondering if eating this way could reduce morning sickness. I am normally very very sick...all day and all night, and this time it is extremely mild. Enough to concern me about miscarriage. ing that all is well and have an early ultrasound scheduled for Thursday. In thinking back, every other pregnancy I ate a ton of grains, potatoes/rice, and sugar. Dessert was an every night occasion. My diet has been pretty well cleaned up for over a year and I eat very little sugar now. I dunno. I'm hoping for the best, given that I am a little bit nauseous, and smells are really bugging me. I was at Whole Foods yesterday (for Zevia, I might add...the only stevia sweetened soda out there and it is YUM!) and they were pan frying tuna steak for samples. I practically ran out of the seafood area, between the smell of the tuna and the raw fish in the case. I'll be 8 weeks tomorrow.

[24/7Mamma]

Originally Posted by brooke&kaitlynsmom

Pregnant? What are you eating?


Not much of anything at this point. I have had the worst case of "morning" sickness in my life. I have only read about women who have had it last all day, but now.....sheesh. I am nauseous from morning until well into the late night. My friend told me to try to eat and if I feel sick, then to keep eating cause the baby is apparantly needing something. Well, all that did was make it worse. At least it's all worth it. I would hate to feel like this for nothing....lol

Being nauseous is the best sign of a healthy pregnancy. It means your hcg/progesterone levels are nice and high. But its a myth that eating helps. Eat small amounts of food...things like a couple of scrambled eggs, or a glass of whole milk. It always feels like crackers and bread will curb that awful sick feeling, but it never works. That is the hardest part.

[Kisha]

My advice on the "morning sickness" is to eat very small meals. Just enough to say, "I've snacked." Unless you feel as though you can handle more. But till you know how you will react to it, small is better.

Crackers never worked for me, either. I'd just get heartburn from the carbs. And once I tried a bowl of cooked spagetti plain. I literally threw it up after the second bite!

I always did better when I had foods that were cold. Like salads, or chicken/turkey wraps. It helped reduce the smell of cooked food, which always seemed trigger my gag reflex.

I feel your pain. I'm just barely pregnant and haven't started to get morning sickness, yet. But I was sick for four months with my first child. Take it slow, one day at a time. I know its hard. I had it all day long... it's not just a morning sickness. It's for the most part an all day sickness!

[brooke&kaitlynsmom]

I'm a little upset now. Well, a lot. I went to my first ob appt yesterday and they called me back and let me pee in the cup and took my blood pressure (which was fine) and weighed me and then went over my health history. They let me sit in the lab for what seemed like forever and then the office manager called me into a room and told me that they wouldn't be able to see me because I am a highrisk preg and gave me a number to call this place here called Genesis. I called them and they told me that they can't get me an appt as a high risk without proof from the other dr. I called the other dr back and told them and they told me that they already shredded my file since I didn't actually get seen. (Excuse me?) Genesis tells me that I can take an appt as a reg preg and then get declared a high risk. Ok. Then they tell me that my first appt wouldn't be until mid-Dec! I already don't know how far I am as it is. I could be at 11 weeks right now. I don't even know what to do.

I've been trying to call drs offices to try to make an appt somewhere, but of course they all open at 8:30 and I'm 15 minutes too early...lol. My patience is wearing thin. Sorry for rambling. just very frustrated.

[24/7Mamma]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....don't even get me started on OBs. Simply put, they frustrate me beyond belief. I'm so so sorry for the way you've been treated. Its appalling. I wonder if you could call the office that shredded the files and demand a note for the other office. You could pull the malpractice card by telling them, "if I don't have a note, they won't see me until Dec, and that could put my pregnancy at risk. I am sure you can remember something about my file in order to generate a note they'd accept." And if they refused, honestly, I would threaten to complain to whatever board he belongs to, locally.

My CNM is no longer practicing. I'm seeing an OB right now, but if everything checks out over the next few months as low risk and normal, I am knocking around the idea of a home birth. I haven't done that since my second (a wonderful experience), but I am absolutely dreading delivering with an OB. I'm used to CNMs and there are no others in my area.

[Kisha]

Originally Posted by brooke&kaitlynsmom

I called the other dr back and told them and they told me that they already shredded my file since I didn't actually get seen. (Excuse me?)

Wow since when do Drs office's shred patient files???? That is total craziness. Ya, lately my doctor visits has had me in-flamed too! It's time to get aggressive, IMO.

[obraxton]

Hi, Ladies. There is an Expecting Mommies Thread which has a running thread of everyone's due dates, and they talk alot about these issues. It's in women's health I was with it when I was pregnant and the women are great.