No doubt about it: being pregnant & nauseated is the worst part of pregnancy, I’ve always thought. I’m happy to say that with this twin pregnancy I have received the most support & feel like I understand now more than ever how to eat through pregnancy & that the differences actually helped with the nausea. More than anything, I hope this will help other prego gals out there with eating (even if they’re not suffering from nausea) 😉 As always, chime in below & tell us what has/is working for you!

eating tips

Dr. Brewer’s pregnancy diet
A fabulous simple program. The website has even more wonderful resources.

– protein
Eating small meals or snacks every 2 hours or whenever my body told me that included protein seriously saves me (nuts, cheese, beans/legumes, eggs, meat, dark leafy greens, whole grains, protein shake/smoothies). I learned to never just eat a piece of fruit alone…I always had to have nut butter, yogurt or cheese with it. Protein…can’t emphasize it enough (with twins I am to eat 100 grams a day).

– follow your cravings
I was simply ravenous in the beginning, would eat a slice of quiche from our local coffee shop & walk another home for a couple hours later. Imagine how happy I was to find out they were twins later & needed all the protein I could get.

– salty, sweet, & sour
One of my midwives told me about this perfect combination. I found great relief adding lemon juice or a small amount of lemonade to my water (our tap water even made me throw-up in the beginning). I learned toward the end of my 1st pregnancy to salt my food. I had started to retain water & my blood pressure was off. It worked immediately…there are so many orher benefits, but we need good salt. Since then I happily add sea salt to my food.

– eat raw veggies before 2 pm
I was craving big salads but would lose it unless I ate it earlier in the day, had enough protein & added some hot soup

– hot foods
Hot/warm foods are easier for our body to digest…again, made a huge difference for me. At night I would cook all my veggies. Now in my 3rd trimester I can eat raw veggies and fruit again but only in small amounts & with something warm to aide digestion. I still try for the big salad at lunch.

– avoid cold food
I had to give up muesli at breakfast unless I cooked it and had a fried egg on the side. I also didn’t add ice to smoothies anymore.

– iron
Black strap molasses (key) & cooking with cast iron pans will help a ton. I put the molasses in hot oatmeal, protein shakes & pancakes (recipes below).

– minerals, vitamins & prenatals
I’ve had a hard time with prenatals till this pregnancy…in fact I gave them up because I would throw them up. Not good, I know. So I was relieved when the raw prenatals from Garden of Life worked! I think the difference has been, instead a taking chemical versions of everything, this company uses raw veggies & sprouts them. I’ll definitely continue to take their products while nursing. I’m taking their Vitamin code raw prenatal, Vitamin code raw calcium, and Raw Protein (in a smoothie)

– good oils & fats
I’m pretty much eating everything Richelle suggests this time…no skimping because of cost…I’m going for it this time around…never too late right!? So I’ve been taking a tbs of Udo’s Oil each day along with Nordic Naturals prenatal DHA. There are some great products out there, find what you feel best about & gi for it. I think small conscious choices can really provide the support pregnant moms & their babies need. 😉

– ginger & whole grain crackers
This never worked for me till I added the nuts & cheese though I know it works for many by itself.

– sugars
I’ve had to be careful with sugar, processed foods etc. I do better without it. But I also don’t beat myself up about having a bit…especially good chocolate, a bite of cheesecake or buttermilk pie during the holidays. Guilt is not good. Instead, I have a taste & get some protein ;).

Support
Not related to food, but things that helped balance hormones & curb nausea:

– acupuncture/accupressure has helped me so much with balancing my hormones. I can add Chinese Herbs, essential herbs & naet here as Tiffany has used all 4 techniques throughout my pregnancy. If all goes well (weather & her family schedule) she’ll be assisting/attending the birth & I couldn’t be happier…fingers crossed!

– viceral massage
Richelle (my midwife) had recommended me seeing Victoria with our 3rd, but with a 2 & 1 year old I didn’t know how to make it work. I should have made it a priority. Not only has Victoria helped relieve the nausea by supporting/healing affected organs, but she has helped relieve so much pain from my knee surgeries, & helped my body widen to make room for the boys (my ribs have expanded over 10 inches. ..seriously amazing). It also helped with my breathing difficulties…good to have more oxygen!

– brushing my teeth
Even at 30 weeks, I’m still gagging every time I brush my teeth…no matter the toothpaste. I started oil pulling with coconut oil last week: no gagging! I’ve also started using Bee Rescued Propolis toothpaste from Azure Standard, though I’m sure you can find it at most health food stores…(another win)!

– stress
Emotional stress, too many good things (like teaching French and volunteering at school…being too busy, working, too many commitments) affected me most. I realize there are some truly amazing women who can do it all. I admire them but have to realize that simplicity is what works best for me…sometimes just realizing our limits & potential is so important. 🙂 No need to feel guilty wherever we lie on the spectrum…do our best with what we’ve been given = peace, joy, contentment & an optimal pregnancy!

recipes

daily raw protein smoothie
8 oz. almond coconut milk
1 banana
1 scoop garden of life raw protein powder (plain)
2 tbs chia seeds
2-3 tbs hemp hearts
1 tbs Mt. Capra goats mineral whey
1 tbs Udo’s Oil
1 tbs raw cacao
a handful or two spinach/kale

Blend & enjoy. I usually eat this for my mid morning snack…about 1 1/2 – 2 hours before lunch.

buckwheat spelt pancakes
3/4 cup buckwheat berries (ground into flour)
1 1/2 cups spelt berries (ground also)
2 1/4 cups almond coconut milk
2 large eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 tbs black strap molasses
3-4 tbs hemp hearts
3 tbs chia seeds
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 stick melted butter

Combine all in blender until mixed thoroughly. Even better would be to soak the flour & seeds in the milk over night and then add the remaining in the morning. 😉  This is a double batch at least…makes about 4 cups of batter. I like to save at least half of it in a mason jar for another day. I will eat a couple of these with butter, nuts, fruit & a fried egg on the side.

Our kiddos get a kick out of the buckwheat grain…it’s just like out of a Dr. Seuss book!

May you find relief & figure out just what your body & babies need…it’s never too late. I was pretty sick all day today…finally had to send the designer for a cheeseburger at 7 pm tonight lol! xo – katrina