If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you likely know I declare balance as an integral part of healthy living. Balance is hard though! Recently, I have learned just how exceptionally hard by trying to balance food as a pregnant lady. I still enjoy my favorite vegetables and lighter, healthier dishes, but it takes a lot more planning and effort to eat those meals. I desire hefty, savory dishes while pregnant. BBQ sandwiches, Mexican food, pizza, hearty casseroles. Sweets sound good too – cake, candy corn, icecream, and cookies. Even McDonalds manages to squeeze its way in as an undeniable craving despite its utter lack of appeal outside of these 9.5 months.
You know what else doesn’t help? The almost insatiable hunger of the 2nd trimester. The first one you feel like you spent the last night chugging tequila and have no desire to eat. The last one your stomach is basically in your throat thanks to the jabbing and kicking bundle of joy taking up any room where food could fit. The second trimester though? Ohhhh….bring it on! Hunger strikes sometimes mere minutes after putting your dish away. And the food tastes so insanely delicious. Unless its veggies. My normal beloved meals simply taste meh right now.
However, for the sake of balance and to keep from going overboard on the way my body wishes to eat, I do take some proactive measures.
1. Have reasonable portions of the foods I crave.
While my plates may include larger portions than the norm due to pregnancy, I still never eat to overfilled and try to eat when genuinely hungry instead of when a case of the munchies hit. I also try to keep treats to single serving sizes…like dividing up the oh so tempting candy corn pumpkins into baggies and being certain to eat no more than one handful baggy per day.
2. Make healthier versions of favorite meals.
I can make healthier chicken enchiladas, my favorite healthified sloppy joes, pulled pork tenderloin sandwiches, casseroles hiding containing veggies, veggie filled pasta dishes, etc. These satisfy me but still provide nutrition.
3. Allow for treats regularly.
Once a week we go out to dinner for me to get whatever I may be strongly craving. I order what I want and feel no guilt over it. Having that meal to look forward to makes it easier to actually prepare the healthier options during the week. We also have pizza Fridays where we make some pizza at home for a chill evening.
4. Keep meals that don’t have cravings lighter.
Since heftier meals call to me, I typically face the worst cravings at night. For that reason, it’s easier to stick to healthful staples for breakfast, lunches, and snacks. Things like oatmeal, green monsters, fruit, hummus, yummy sandwiches, leftovers of those veggie dishes I make myself cook at night still sound appealing at those times. I get in all the nutrition I can during those meals.
5. Don’t fret!
I know that within a month after delivery my old taste preferences and eating habits will return. I know guilt and stress over food does nothing positive for my body or the truly amazing experience of pregnancy. This will likely be the last pregnancy I experience and I will not dwell on not eating my absolute best. I may be in a 70/30 ratio instead of a typical 90/10 ratio of health to more indulgence, but it does not matter. I know I will have strong health practices and live as a healthy example to my children. And I know I still do my danged best now…even if it isn’t quite in line with my best ever.
- What situations make it hard for you to balance your eating?
- Any other tips or suggestions you would like to share?
