They say in pregnancy your hormones kick in so hard you have "irrational" cravings and food aversions. I wouldn't say mine were ever irrational but were definitely not part of my normal choices.
At the beginning, I couldn't eat chocolate-it gave me horrific heart burn. Thank goodness that passed but for the last few weeks the thought of chicken makes me gag. Interestingly, I can easily eat it in something but I cannot look at a chicken breast on my plate or have it on a salad (which is annoying since it's a large staple food in my diet). Because I have no desire at all to chew on chicken, we have been cooking more pork, red meat and making our own burgers.
Throughout 2nd trimester, I began craving salt. I dreamed of having my own salt block. I have never been a big salt eater, I don't go after chips, they could be in the house and I wouldn't touch them. Sweets are always my downfall. But, one night, I actually convinced my husband to go out and buy me a bag of chips-and they were the best tasting chips I ever had! That food choice, as well, has passed. Unfortunately, now I'm back to sweets. My love of baking has been taken to a whole new level which is dangerous in the house so I end up giving it away as much as possible (great way to make new friends!) and I freeze a lot of it.
But one thing that has stayed very constant is my desire for fruit-the juicier and colder, the better. Fresh or frozen fruit, I can't get enough! As the summer months hit, fruit has also been great to help combat dehydration.
One tough thing I found is actually being able to eat (although I doubt any of you believe me). I could eat a few bites then I felt so full or just not in the mood to chew anymore but then my hunger would be back only a short time later. This was most likely because of the position of the baby and her pressing on my stomach. I also got painful indigestion if I did eat too much at one sitting, my eyes have always been larger than my stomach. In my job, I have two 45 minute breaks that are often interrupted with something or someone so finding time to eat is another problem. Because me eating schedule is rigid, I need quick meal ideas that keep me sustained, particularly in the mornings when I'm at my hungriest. So I have a few tricks to fill my lunch box with enough to last me all day but are easy quick grabs. I bring everything cut up in containers to ensure I have my portions laid out and I am more likely to eat it if it's easy consumption.
Veggies and hummus: carrot sticks, snow peas, cucumbers, celery pretty much whatever is in my fridge is easily thrown in a container and can be enjoyed throughout the day. The hummus is key here, veggies on their own won't satiate hunger because there's not much to them while the hummus is a great choice over a creamy dip because it will give you much needed protein (which helps keep you feeling full longer and is good for growing babies) as well as good dietary fiber. You can make your own or buy a tub at any food store (just be sure to check the label for the brand with the most natural ingredients).
Homemade granola bars: I posted the recipe to these already, they are high-jammed with carbs which will give you a quick boost of energy and with protein which will sustain your energy levels for a longer period of time.
Crackers and cheese (think cheddar or mozzarella in a skim milk version): Whole grain crackers for your instant carbs and cheese that has your dairy and protein. If you're feeling more adventurous, melt the cheese over the crackers and add some Italian seasoning for a different flavour. This snack is a healthier version of nachos, too! Important, though, to avoid the high fat cheeses like brie and camembert (although they're soft cheeses, pregnant women can eat the pasteurized versions). The great thing about crackers is that there are so many different flavours and ingredients, they can be a perfect substitute to chips.
Fruit and yogurt: If you find an apple boring to eat, bring it cut up in a container (a little lemon juice will keep it from browning) and dip it in some yogurt (your choice of flavour!). This is a refreshing snack and again adds the benefits of protein and dairy with your fruit.
Almonds (plain, unsalted) and craisins: almonds are jammed with so many nutritional qualities but can taste a little blah. Craisins are naturally sweetened and have tons of flavour. If you like gummy bears, try craisins! Combine these two and you have a tasty snack that's quick to grab or nibble on as you work. A handful of each in a container is more than enough, I often will leave this in a container in my gym bag or car to have on hand when I need a quick boost.
These are just a few ideas for quick-grab snacks that will satiate your hunger in a healthy manner rather than hitting the vending machine or muffin counter. You may also find that when you're feeling nauseated especially at the beginning of your pregnancy, these small snacks are easier to eat in intervals throughout the day which helps combat nausea. To help keep healthy choices winning over the cravings of chocolate bars of fast food, be sure to pack a healthy lunch the night before so you're starting the day on the right track. If you're getting a craving, eat something from your lunch bag and wait a little while. If the craving is still intense, go for it! Cravings can definitely make your brain want to burst so go enjoy it. Because you're not going in on an empty stomach, you'll be less likely to over indulge (you know that sick feeling you get after eating an entire tub of ice cream) and you'll enjoy it more. Two tricks I use though for my cravings: buy the individual size and go for the best. Buy a small bag of really good chips over the giant bag for 1$. Go for a cone of gelato rather than a tub of ice cream. Buy a few squares of rich chocolate rather than a bar from the checkout lane. The higher quality the food, the better is tastes, and the better you will respond to it. It will cure your craving fast! While it may seem counter-intuitive that a fitness blog encourages giving into your desires, remember that life is all about balance...and pregnant women can be dangerous if you try to go between them and a craving.
See you at the gym!
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