Staying Healthy During Pregnancy

I get a lot of questions on how I eat when I am pregnant. This post attempts to give some ideas based on my experience. Share it with your friends, especially if they’re expecting.

I was loyal to two things every morning: eggs and exercise. On the way to the gym, I would eat an orange or grapefruit with some nuts. When I returned home (typically an hour later), I had 2-3 poached eggs. This routine really helped me keep in shape and I feel helped keep my diet healthy.

At 10:30am I would have a healthy high protein snack. For lunch I would start with a salad and have some soup. Around 4:00 PM I would have a cucumber or two. For supper I would eat a normal helping of the meal. Right before bed I would have some cheese.

Some days I would still have a square of dark chocolate if my stomach felt up to it. I love chocolate and I advocate enjoying it from time to time. One of my favorite chapters in Love in a Diet goes into detail on this idea.

I also made sure to take a nap everyday. My goal was to be healthy and feed my unborn baby as well as I could. All of these things made for a more pleasant pregnancy and a healthier me!

To tell you the truth, this pregnancy was the healthiest of them all. I had fewer concerns and more energy to do the things I had to do everyday. To think I am over 40! Little Elijah is doing great, and I like to think it was because of taking care of my body and baby during pregnancy.

How about you? Use the comment section below to share your “healthy pregnancy” ideas, and feel free to ask questions or share frustrations.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1037301122 Beth Yenca

my 2nd pregnancy was my most healthy pregnancy. i ate veggies with lunch and dinner, walked 2-3 times a day for 15 minutes each (I was working full time then too and I had to destress myself), & drank a TON of water. My last pregnancy started out not so good I was stressed and I stress eat and was eventually diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. I switched to what I knew helped me with #2 and it helped but still had to take meds. Next time around I will be starting healthy and ending healthy.

http://jeubfamily.com Wendy Jeub

Beth, That sounds like a great plan! You can do it!

Lotsakids

Did you exercise every day? I run 3x a week. I wonder if I should add other types of exercise on the other days? And how did you eat grapefruit on the way to the gym?? :0)

http://jeubfamily.com Wendy Jeub

Hi Lotsakids, Yes I did! When I missed a day I would ache so it just was not worth it. I did my stretches to warm up and I would walk on the treadmill for a mile or more then stretch again. Also, I would ride the bike every other day and do arm weights.

It is recommended that you take one day off a week but for some reason I just did not benefit from that. I figured the baby didn’t take a day off so I didn’t either.

It is a good idea to switch your type of exercises around.

You can do it!

http://creatingtreasures.blogspot.com tereza

My pregnancies are always pretty healthy. I crave whole foods like fruits and vegetables, and I don’t eat as much. My portions are pretty small compared to my portions pre or after pregnancy. On the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy, I start eating more carbs and sweets (that’s really when baby puts on weight).
My real challenge is before and after pregnancy. I don’t really lose a lot of weight until my babies start eating solids which they usually do at around 1 year old. I breastfeed them and contrary to the popular belief that breastfeeding makes you lose weight, not with this Mama. I eat and drink quite a lot. My appetite is pretty big when I breastfeed, and I do breastfeed on demand and don’t supplement. So I guess that’s my answer to why I eat so much. I don’t gain weight but I don’t lose much either.
I am finding it really hard to have a consistent exercise routine with 4 children between 8y.o. and 1y.o. I guess as they get older it will get easier. But I am turning 40 this year so I don’t want to wait too long to get this show on the road.
I read your book and it has some great ideas, but like everything else, we need to adapt things to our reality.
We are moving to a new house in a couple of weeks with lots more acreage. I am hoping that will help me do more stuff outside and maybe be more active and burn more calories. Will see how that goes.

Blessings and Happy Memorial Day!

http://jeubfamily.com Wendy Jeub

Hi Tereza, I always appreciate your posts. You are right you do have to adapt the plan to your own life.

I can give you tips on things you can do around the house with the kids: Dance, do push-ups in the kitchen by pushing yourself away from the counter, stand with your feet 12 inches apart and push up slowly to your tip toes and slowly back down, do a 10 minute stretch routine.

Don’t be discouraged be creative.

((Hugs)) You can do it!

Bernadettelock

I have very similar challenges to Tereza. I usually loose a fair bit of weight while pregnant (due to morning/all day sickness lol) but gain it all back whilst breastfeeding. In the last trimester my appretite increases so during this time i eat plenty of good whole foods from every food group. I tend to eat small regular meals whilst pregnant but my body craves fluids more than anything else. I do however, make sure i take vitamins daily before, during and after pregnancy. Even though i never felt like it, i went for daily walks and there is always plenty to do around the house when surrounded by littleones. So eating helathy and regular gentle exercise has always been my key to success! All of my (5 so far) babies have been 7pd 8oz – 8pd 12oz and i have been extremely fortunate to have complication free labours. Should we be blessed to have any more children i hope to be able to keep up the exercise and everything that a busy household entails. You really are an inspiration to us other mums Wendy, when i am having a day when just getting out the front door is an accomplishment i take a deep breath count to 10 and think of you and your family and know with gods grace anything is possible

http://jeubfamily.com Wendy Jeub

That all sounds really good! Keep up the good work. You can do it!

http://jeubfamily.com Wendy Jeub

We are still offering the book for only $5.00.
http://jimblejamble.blogspot.com/ Jessica

I loosely followed the Bradley diet. They recommend a lot of milk/dairy products which I don’t consume because it makes me stuffy. I worked up until 2 weeks before my due date and during the first semester I walked to and from work every day. The last 2 trimesters, I’d go on a hike 3 times a week (1 mile each way, uphill then back down). I ended up gaining 50 pounds and have lost all but 10 of them. I just weaned in April when my boy turned 19 months old so that’s why I kept some of the weight on. I continue to go on walks with him several times a week.

http://jeubfamily.com Wendy Jeub

Wow! Great job Jessica!

http://www.clarkchatter.blogspot.com Ginger

I totally agree w/ the eggs and high protein snacks. I have a homemade breakfast burrito every morning – tortilla, 2 eggs, cheese, and bacon. Yum-o!