Oh boy, today has not been great : ( I don’t know why last week was so good and this week is worse! There is this catch 22 with morning sickness – you don’t want to eat but eating makes you feel better. There’s a fine line between eating too little and then getting starving/really sick and eating too much and gaining 50 pounds.
Cycle class was great (exercise really makes me feel good) but after class I started to feel sick. So I made myself a nice balance snack to try to take the edge off before lunch. Cheddar on cornbread crackers and some grapes. It was delicious and helped.
Until noon hit and I realized I was really hungry and nauseous at the same time again!
MY OTHER RECIPES
Animals to the rescue. These taste SO GOOD when I’m feeling ill.
My lunch date had to cancel, so I debating eating at home or going to the bakery. I decided to go in because our internet was being wonky and I need to work on the website some more.
I found the CEO being responsible and paying bills!
I also found a loaf of whole wheat cinnamon swirl pull-apart bread. This is when owning a bakery gets tough!
I had plans for a pimento cheese sandwich, but I just couldn’t stomach the thought of the veggies on top. So I settled on the Almond Butter Banana Crunch, which I rarely get because it doesn’t have veggies!
Real food. 100% whole wheat bread. Could be eating worse things! That’s kind of the theme of this trimester : )
GAH this was good. And I feel better now!
Organic honeycrisp on the side! Apples are my best friends right now.
Hoping the worst is over. And I’m SO glad I can be honest with you all about my strange eating now!
I’m sorry that you are unable to eat vegetables right now. I’m unable to eat them too due to GI problems I’ve been having. I can’t wait until this flare up I’m going through is away. I miss my vegetables and salads every night. I know how frustrating that can be.
Despite everything, your sandwich sure does look great to me! 🙂
i ate more pink lady apples during my pregnancy than i have ever eaten in my life. my co-workers thought i was delusional. i would devour them and often talk about how they were the best thing i have ever tasted.
Wow, that would be hard! Everything you ate sounds/looks delicious though!
It’s funny how you consider what you’re eating as strange. For most people, this would be way healthier and more nutritious than what they eat on a normal day. I think it’s because of your lack of vegetables that makes it seem to strange for you. That sandwich looks absolutely divine. At least you’re able to stomach things like nut butter and bread. I think I would go crazy if I had to give up peanut or almond butter. Hang in there, Kath. I’m sure this is probably the worst of it now and hopefully it’ll be smooth sailing for the remainder of your pregnancy.
Definitely could be eating worse things. You’re doing the best you can so that’s important!
Well we know ze baby loves carbs! It better :). Perhaps cramming in your veggies in a smoothie will help you get them in? Chug chug chug.
Totally understand the nauseous/starving thing.. during my first trimester I lost 9 pounds because of lack of appetite. I feel bad that you’re one of the pregnant ladies that doesn’t like vegetables, I wasn’t like that at all. Hopefully, it’ll just last through the first trimester for you and then you’ll be back to normal 🙂
The cinnamon pull-apart bread looks phenomenal! Sorry to hear about the morning sickness – that does NOT sound like fun! I can’t remember the last time I had animal crackers but they are sounding SO good right about now! Hope your afternoon goes a little better than the morning!
I was all about PBJ sandwiches with a peach for a few weeks for lunch! I understand your problems! And I always have PB crackers in my purse at all times. Still at Week 35. And I am all about animal crackers as snacks too. For weight gain, in my opinion, if you are smart and don’t think it’s an excuse to eat anything, your body will do what it needs to do.
So glad you’re at least feeling better! I can’t wait for this trimester to be over – I’ve heard that it gets MUCH better after!
It sounds like you’re listening to your bod and doing all the right things, frustrating though it may be. Sometimes life is about flexibility and compromise and relinquishing control is the only way to make it through! Enjoy your day, Kath…and your honey crisps too! 🙂
I think our bodies carve certain things while pregnant for a reason. Don’t beat yourself up about no veggies. You are still eating healthy.
It seems like as soon as you told, you started feeling worse again 🙁 Guess it was good timing because now you can eat till your cravings are content and no one will question! Also, did you tell us on Monday because it was 2/6? That random thought occurred to me the next day…..
I jinxed myself!
2/6 was a coincidence!
Listen to your body. You’ll get plenty of veggies later on. I hope you feel better soon. Congratulations by the way!!!
It actually might have been the cycle class that made you sick. Lactic acid build-up (+salt) might have dumped into your stomach, causing you to feel ill. Happens to me sometimes, especially on heated/high intensity work-outs.
Interesting. I drank a whole bottle of water, but perhaps I still need more..
You also might consider eletrolyte water. Whole foods has their own brand. I know you like to get all of your nutrients from food, but it might be a good thing for cycle workouts in particular. My spin teacher gave me a bottle last week after I had told her about having the stomach flu over the weekend.
I definitely like the honesty! Much more real. and those cheese and crackers look so good. Makes me want some cheese right now. Hope you start feeling better!
Hope you are feeling better soon!! At least you can stomach apples 🙂
Sorry you’re feeling like crud. I hope this will be over for you soon and you can go on with the rest of your pregnancy eating the things you love with no tummy troubles!
Weeks 10/11 were the worst for my morning sickness too. For me it really started to pass around week 13 — so just a few more weeks for you! Hang in there and just eat what you can handle. Don’t worry about it too much. 🙂
Oh, and also — seriously, don’t worry about the weight gain thing. This is something I struggled with earlier in my pregnancy — but your body is going to do what it’s going to do. Just eat healthy and stay active, and let your body take care of the rest. Trust me!! Easier said than done, but don’t try to control it. You will only make yourself crazy.
being nauseous is the worst! hope you start feeling better soon.
ps. your almond butter + banana sandwich looked delectable!
If this is you saying you could be eating worse things then it makes me feel guilty! You are such a healthy eater and good food role model.
I’m sorry you can’t eat veggies right now. It must be frustrating! On the other hand that almond butter banana crunch looks so good! I hope you feel better 🙂
IIRC, all I could stomach tri1 was bagels and cream of wheat. I’m pretty sure I went through a box of cream of wheat a week. I also always travelled with banded up plastic supermarket bags in my purse because the urge to hurl would come on instantly–like no time to find a toilet. I am amazed that some women go through this with no morning sickness at all.
I lived on animal crackers, cheerios, peanut butter and apples during my first trimesters. I could usually keep down eggs and they would keep me full longer so I wasn’t hungry/nauseous again as soon. Gosh, I feel for you. I really hate being nauseous and pregnancy is so much more fun once this phase is over. I hope for your sake that is sooner rather than later.
I can’t imagine throwing up on the spot like that!! Bless you.
I think you are eating wonderfully, and everything looks delicious to me!! I hope that you are able to feel better permanently and put the nausea behind you soon!!
I shudder to think about this now but hope it makes you feel better about your choices. When I was in my early pregnancy the only thing I could keep down was taco bell tacos without the lettuce. My baby turned out healthy anyway.
Hahaha – tacos don’t sound all that bad )
I really hope you feel better, and I know you will. My grandmother always said, nausea means the baby is growing and doing well. I believe it’s true.
It is true, and is definitely comforting to think about
I LOVED those animal crackers when I was pregnant! What is it about them???
Have you tried sea-bands for the nausea?
I have but perhaps I should get them back out. I stopped wearing them when I started feeling better at 9 weeks
I wore them for about 4 months (I had to hide them at first!). They don’t get rid of nausea completely but they help. Also, i found squeezing them made them more effective.
I’m afraid to take mine off (11 wks now) b/c as I rotten as I feel, what if they are helping and I’ll feel even worse without them?!? My morning was a lot like yours. I agree, it’s frustrating to not be hungry but eating is the only thing that seems to help. Hope we both feel better soon!!!
I was thinking about how good you must feel now that a “weight has been lifted” and you can be honest when I was reading your post earlier today.
I would take FULL ADVANTAGE of eating bread with nut butter and bananas for as long as you can. I can’t imagine being grossed out by the thought of veggies… but if YOU’RE feeling that way, I suppose anything is possible!
So sorry to hear you’re feeling crappy, Kath—it should pass soon, right?
What is it with veggies and pregnant women? I had no idea there was such a strong aversion until I’ve heard a ton of people mention it lately! I’m sure your cravings for greens will return soon!
Hope you feel better! That bread looks delicious!
congrats on the baby, kath! and that sandwhich made my stomach growl – time for a snack! 🙂
i’m a newer reader and i just noticed that you are a registered dietician. do you ever offer personalized eating and nutrition plans? if you don’t, can you recommend people or companies that offer that service? i’m looking for a dietary plan that’s in tune with my body.
Thanks!
Hi Christina!
I don’t actually have a nutrition practice going because opening the bakery took up the rest of my time, but there are several RDs who do. I know Heather of Side of Sneakers does. You can see the whole list of RDs online on my RD ME page at the bottom, linked from the sidebar —>
A handful of them do offer online consulting.
THANKS!
Yikes – I’m not going to lie, I’m kind of afraid of pregnancy when I hear the stories of morning sickness! I have a while to go until I’m ready for kids, so I’m sure you will calm my fears once you have your little one and can tell us that it’s totally worth it 🙂
I am just about 20 weeks pregnant with my first little one, and I had the same aversion to veggies as you are having. It started to fade around week 14. (Although I still can’t stomach the thought of kale).
So hang in there, it might get better!
Even without the veggies that sammy looks delicious! I love almond butter and banana! Add some raisins and I’d be in heaven!
I found anything with a peppermint taste – Girl Scout Thin Mints! – was palatable, especially with some really cold water. Hang in there! …and congratulations!
Thin Mints! Yum!!
Maybe the animal crackers are racing around in there and playing silly games.
This made me smile. 🙂
sorry you’re not feeling well!! that almond butter banana cruch sandwich sure does sound tasty though… glad it helped you feel a little better.
I didn’t have morning sickness with #1 or #2 – just one brief moment where ranch dressing sounded awful. #3 and #4 were a different story though – man, those were tough times. I was so frustrated because I was so sick to my stomach all the time. Half lemon juice and half water were one of the only delicious things for #3 and tons of kiwis and tangerines for #4. It’s tough. Take care.
Aw, I know people have been giving you trouble about the weird eating, but I just had to post to say I completely understand. I had awful morning sickness with all three of mine and it’s really the strangest thing. It’s not just feeling sick, it’s totally it’s own monster. And things you usually love are sometimes the worst things to even think about – you really can’t control it! Even if you think you understand, if you’ve never been pregnant, you don’t have a clue.
I never commented to say congrats so I’ll say it now – Congratulations!! I hope you’re feeling better for the rest of the day!
I don’t think what you’re eating is unusual. Many people eat peanut/almond butter sandwiches everyday! It’s still a healthy meal/snack. The baby needs its essential fats and protein – and that good nutty taste doesn’t hurt either! 🙂
Plus, don’t worry about gaining 50 lbs. girl! Kate Hudson gained 70 with her first…and look at her now 🙂 Not that I’m recommending that of course haha but you know what I mean! I think you need to just not worry about it and focus on all the other joys – the food will take care of itself.
Hi Kath,
I saw your spices on Open Sky. I have a question. You noted the creole seasoning is salty. How can that be? I looked on their website and it says there is no salt in the spices. Just wondering as my husband has HTN and these looked good. Thank you.
Hmmm..good question. I guess it just made me think of salty – like a gumbo or a shrimp boil. If the ingredients don’t say salt, then it was an inaccurate description – sorry to be misleading.
Kath, first of all – congratulations!! How very exciting! I am 27 weeks along in my first pregnancy, and let me tell you, your first trimester diet is waaaay better than mine was. I’m talking, like, cereal for just about every meal for 3 weeks. Thank goodness for apples and vitamins! It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I started to really crave veggies again. Hang in there!! And eat what your body (bodies? ha) feels like eating!
If I were you, I would go to town on that delicious looking pull-apart-bread. You have the best excuse for it! lol
Why is it when you are pregnant you try to eat healthy but your body doesn’t let you? I felt bad too and all I wanted was lemonade and saltines for the first 4 months of pregnancy 🙁
Not that you aren’t eating healthy! I’m just sayin’ with the veggie thing 🙂
I have come to expect only one thing during pregnancy: just when I think things are one way, they change and are totally different!
Things that sounded good my first trimester, now sound yuck, and vice versa.
The sammie looks great to me! Hope you feel abit better 🙂
I’m not pregnant and that lunch (and snack) look freaking amazing! 🙂
I’m a vegetarian, and during the first trimester of my 1st pregnancy, all veggies (except carrots or iceberg lettuce with lots of cheese and ranch dressing) made me want to woof. It seemed like all I ate for weeks was cereal, mac & cheese, tomato soup, and PB&J! It will get better soon, I promise…I was back to eating & loving my normal servings of greens and vegetables by about 15-16 weeks. I am 4 months pregnant with my 2nd, and this time around I have had no food turn-offs, and have been CRAVING all kinds of veggies by the truckload for the whole first trimester. Funny how it’s so different this time. Hang in there!
Don’t feel bad about eating what you want right now. I ate way less healthy things when I was pregnant. I could not look at vegetables until the 2nd tri. I think I only ate mashed potatoes, butter bagels, and ice cream for the 1st 13 weeks.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, my eating habits were all over the place my first trimester too! Eat what sounds good and try to sneak in nutrients 🙂 After the 1st trimester I was able to start eating veggies again, like you they just didn’t sound good AT ALL to me for a long time.
Everyone’s different, but I will say it gets better. Somewhere right around 12 weeks I turned the corner, and can handle all kinds of tastes I just couldn’t before. Today I even had a decaf coffee (whereas the flavor would have sent me into a nausea spiral just a few weeks ago.)
i think the most greatest thing about food is that is IS healing! and the point is to eat what you NEED and sometimes, ya know, i think our bodies need things that may seem counter to what feel like we “should” be eating {and under normal circumstances, we probably really should eat those!}. but sometimes we just gotta listen and our bodies will tell us what to feed it. sounds like you are doing JUST that!
I hope you feel better! Being nauseous is the WORST.
I think you are waiting to long to eat
You need to eat before you are hungry!
Well I had hoped the cheese + grape snack would help with that!
Eating was not easy for me the first 12-13 weeks. I lost weight and could not keep to an active schedule. Finally at 14 weeks I woke up and found myselft hungry and energized. You are so close to the fun part. Enjoy every minute.
I couldn’t stomach veggies during my first trimester and part of my second. I ate almond butter and raspberry sandwiches like it was my job! However, I did drink tons of green monster smoothies during that time!! My favorite was banana, pb, blueberries, cocoa powder, spinach and almond milk! 🙂
Hey Kath, I noticed from the pic of your sandwich order that you all use a paper form. Have you or “the CEO” possibly thought of going green by using less paper or going digital (iPad, maybe?) for taking sandwich orders?
We have thought about it, but it’s just not feasible at this time. Perhaps in the future though
That sandwich looks awesome and by no means unhealthy 🙂
I hope your “morning” sickness subsides soon– I bet it will. Things turned around for me around week2 13-14, and I haven’t felt queasy since. Lunch looks delicious– veggies or not!
The comments about pregnant women not being able to palate veggies makes me wonder if that’s a defense mechanism for the babies… Meaning veggies are more likely to be contaminated than say carbs. (and perhaps that would apply to women who have an aversion to meat during pregnancy as well?). Just a thought. 🙂
On my worst days I had to eat before I even got out of bed, even before I sat up. I kept a container of plain cheerios or saltines on my nightstand so I could eat something as soon as I woke up. And I had to make sure I didn’t go too long in between eating–which it sounds like you’ve already discovered that. Sour candies really helped too. I had a desk drawer full of Jolly Ranchers; which were just sour enough.
Your sandwich looks so good!!! Don’t worry about what you are eating right now, the important thing is that you are eating. 🙂
For most women the ms (morning sickness) will get better at week 14… so right now you might feel great one day and not so great the next. Hopefully you continue to get lots better! (Some of us aren’t so lucky… I am 21 weeks and still requiring zofran daily 🙁
I was so happy to hear they recommended the unisom/ B6 combination to you…. so few people know about that. Unisom was originally developed as an anti-nausea for MS (I guess) but it put people to sleep so well it became a sleep aid.
Try not to worry too much about weight gain. I gained 50 lbs when I had my twins and lost 40 lbs within the first 5 days. I nursed both boys for a year and was back to my pre-preg weight and shape within three months and I didn’t diet. I did go on regular walks and ate healthy (but I ate A LOT due to nursing twins). The weight will come off.
I love love reading pregnancy blog posts. It’s a weird thing; I guess I can’t wait for my own children.
Your sandwich bread looks so fresh and yummy…I bet it would be lovely toasted too!
You poor thing. I never had morning sickness to that extent so I can’t really relate. I did have slight nausea and eating lemons and constant nibbling on things so I never actually felt hungry helped. I’m sure things will suddenly change for you and you’ll start to feel much better and eat more of the things you like. I bet you can’t wait to meet this little person that is making your body so out of whack. 🙂
So sorry you are unwell — but glad you are eating something 🙂
The key is to never let your stomach get empty (hence feeling bad after exercising) and to eat protein–even though I know a lot of times it’s bland carbs you crave.
Hey Kath, just wondering if you are planning on tracking your weight through pregnancy? With my past I have decided to be weighed at my midwife appointments only and not step on the scale at home… Although others have told me that it is important to track it at home to make sure you are not gaining too much. Any thoughts/personal opinion?
Well I don’t own a scale anymore! I don’t really want to buy one for this reason. I might get one my mom has when I visit. I don’t feel this is super important if you are monitoring with doctors though.
Feed yourself! Don’t try to restrict in the early weeks (or at all ). Eat as much real food as you need, hunger induced nausea is terrible. In my first trimester I went through a few weeks where my diet consisted mainly of pb sandwiches and egg sandwiches. You won’t gain 50 pounds unless you’re eating junk, and even if you do while eating healthfully, it’s because your baby needs it!
I’m with you on the Honeycrisp apples. I just wish they weren’t so expensive! But they sure are worth it. I bought one on a whim at Publix earlier this week and got it nice and cold and devoured it at lunchtime yesterday. It was delicious and it should have been since it cost over $2! Hope your sickness will subside soon. Saltine crackers were all I could eat early in my pregnancy (many years ago). I’d get sick if I just coughed so I had to be careful.
I’m sorry that you’re feeling so nauseous again 🙁 I hope it passes soon! Animal crackers do sound pretty delicious, though, I haven’t had any in a long time. What’s on the Almond Butter Banana Crunch sandwich? Obviously AB and banana, and is that granola and honey? Looks delicious! I LOVE peanut butter and banana sandwiches (haven’t tried almond butter yet).
I never loved apples until I got pregnant. The love affair that started then stuck with me ever since. Thankfully the pancake addiction during Months 9-10 subsided upon delivery. Whew.
PS Fuji’s or small Jazz apples from TJ’s are the best!
Hi Kath,
I discovered your site about a month ago, and I’ve been addicted! I love your philosophies, and I always tell people my number one piece of nutrition advice is to just eat real food!! Thanks for this great way of spreading the good word! Check out my food blog if you’d like when you have a free minute. Oh, and congratulations!
Best,
Malory
Hi Malory! I just added you to my RD blogroll 🙂 Thanks for reading, and you should come to the Virginia Bloggers lunch this Saturday here in Cville! Email me if you’re free [katheats at gmail]
Forgot to mention! I’m just down in Richmond; if you’re ever happened to be here and want a lunch date!
Don’t worry about gaining too much weight at this point – you’re tummy is telling you to eat. I found that eating every 2 hrs helped prevent or at least lessen some of the nausea. Little snacks really helped. I did notice higher protein snacks & meals helped in particular. Hang in there – 2nd trimester is so great & you’re so close!
I felt nauseated from week 6-14 of both pregnancies and I just couldn’t stomach most healthy foods.
it was salty carbs and sweet carbs all the time for me. I ate things I hadnt eaten since I was a kid- like pop tarts and Doritos (don’t get me started on the fries). It reminded me of having a 24/7 hangover. I definitely gained more pounds than I would have liked – but as soon as I got back to healthier eating, running (and breastfeeding) the weight came off!
I REALLY WANT A POP TART!!!
I feel your pain! I’m due in late August also and the nausea is rough, especially with the added guilt of not being able to eat as healthily as I am used to! I’m also loving apples right now, and my vice is soda, which I never drank pre-pregnancy, but it seems to help me stomach salads and vegetables. I’ve tried some natural brands from Whole Foods (made with cane sugar instead of HFCS) and caffeine-free Coca Cola. I don’t feel great about drinking soda, but I limit myself to one per day and at least I can get some veggies in there with it!
I’ve been drinking a few diet ginger ales here and there. I also don’t love the idea of soda, but I don’t think a few will hurt. They do help (esp. with lots of burping 🙂 )
Eat whatever you can/need to eat! Even if that means we see ice cream posted 3x a day 😛 We won’t judge. Plus, I think this change is so fabulous for KERF; it’s so cool to being documenting the dietary life of a new Momma.
Oh, I have a theory that the reason why veggies are unpalatable is because the baby needs ENERGY (dense calories), PROTEIN, and FAT… three things that veggies are lacking.
Also, it’s great to finally see that wonderful sandwich on the blog. I remember you talking it before the bakery opened and me thinking then that it sounded divine.
One more thing: I love that you have captured Matt in the same position as you yesterday (half munched apple and all!).
Yeah, I agree about the veggies. Plus, they are lower in calories and higher in fiber. So, it could lead to more stomach discomfort from bloating, gas, etc….y’know 😉
This is an excellent theory!
I totally hear you on the no veggie front! While I was lucky and didn’t have morning sickness, I definitely fought nausea through eating a lotta carbs early on. It was all the sounded good. Your veggie love will come back though, promise!
And way up keep exercising. I have been too the whole time and it makes a world of difference on my energy levels.
Have you ever tried the Ginger People ginger chews they sell at Whole Foods? I take the apple pie spice ones along for long car rides. Between that and the Sea Bands, my kids usually make it to Massachusetts without throwing up. I survived my first trimester of my first pregnancy on bagels and American cheese sandwiches and applesauce. I didn’t have a lot of morning sickness, just no appetite.
I haven’t because ginger is kind of a turn off right now 🙁 Thanks to that horrid gingery lentil soup from week 6
I apologize if people have already offered you this advice, and apologize in advance if you are sick of getting advice BUT, everyone in my family gets horrible morning sickness, so when I got pregnant I was very weary of what was going to happen, my midwife told me to NEVER EVER let my blood sugar drop. As this is what causes you to feel so yucky. Eat every two hours, even if its just 10 almonds, she told me to eat every time I got up to pee at night. This advice kept me from being sick. My baby is two months old today. Also, went through a period of being starving every couple of hours for several weeks, this peetered but if you ate the food you were wanting it was the best tasting.- good luck and congratulations. You will like veggies again, I went through this too. Smoothies helped bc I could hide spinach in there.
Yes! Even after the nausea fades letting my blood sugar drops leads to TERRIBLE hormonal headaches that can last a couple days at a time :/
I think this whole blood sugar thing really does have truth to it. I’m going to work on smaller meals.
[And more frequent snacks!]
That sandwich looks like heaven!
I miss wholewheat bread and cheddar cheese… I’m in the opposite side of you.
The animal cookies so cute!
Banana, strawberry and nut butter sandwiches were my staple when I was pregnant. I couldn’t stomach veggies for the first few months either. I lived on pineapple, too. It never tasted more delicious than during those 9 months!
I’m 9.5 weeks along and apples are my best friend too! I haven’t been as sick as it sounds like you are, but I’ve been eating about 2 apples per day. I can’t get enough. I suppose there are worse things I could be eating! (don’t count the chocolate I ate…or the cookie…)
That sandwich looks extremely delicious… I resent the fact that I’m eating mediocre spelt toast with an egg on top, haha.
So glad you can be honest with us now too!!! I’m sure you’ll get past this nausea phase soon! xo
Not sure if you know about this:
http://www.cvillebirthexpo.com/
It is just fun to walk around
Also, there is a birth circle, which is a great place to just talk about being pregnant and all things related to babies (much more of a natural birth/attachment parenting group, but welcoming and helpful to everyone)
http://birthmattersva.org/charlottesville/charlottesville-events.htm
Oh fun!! I will definitely try to go. I’ve checked out Birth Matters – very helpful! I think we’re going to hire a doula and their list is good
Congrats Kath! Being a mother and being pregnant are the most special times. Everyday it becomes a little more exciting knowing there is a beautiful little person growing inside you ready to see and explore the world.
Don’t worry at all about weight during the process. I started out at 127 and ended at 177, and was proud of every pound! For me water retention played some on my weight, but I made it my job to not get hungry because I know I was eating for the baby! One thing that helped me get enough protein was boiled eggs.
Best wishes for smooth sailing and a calm tummy!
Sorry you’re not feeling well, Kath! I hope your morning sickness goes away soon, and for good this time. I have to say it’s so interesting for me to see how your food preferences have changed since getting pregnant. As someone who has never had a baby I never realized how drastically likes and dislikes could change, it’s crazy!
Yum, peanut butter and banana sandwich. I haven’t had that in a while.
I am 24 weeks along with my first, and I feel you on the sickness!! I work full-time with an hour commute, so it has been rough. I had constant nausea and frequent vomiting weeks 5-18, and since then have only had it in episodes. Just eat what you feel you can in the moment! Veggies were the worst for me. I ate mostly carbs for a long time, including ramen noodles every night for dinner. I am now eating salads (only with ranch, though) and basic things like green beans. I admit I took Zofran regularly and still keep it in my purse. After having one miscarriage before, I have just reminded myself every day that this momentary misery is a sign of a HEALTHY pregnancy! It will get better, I promise! And feeling these baby kicks cancels out all the bad stuff :).
Kath, you are doing better than most people, hang in there 🙂
Kath,
I am a prenatal dietitian at an OB Clinic. When I was pregnant with my first, I was hospitalized for hyperemesis. It lasted until week 14 (that was a boy). Then, with my second, I had n/v until week 21 (girl). What I advise patients to do (and tried to follow myself) is this: Eat every 2 hours, no matter what. Eat ONLY what sounds good to you. Whether that be jelly beans or potato chips or McDonalds plain hamburgers – just get something inside you. This is not the time to be worrying so much about nutrition. Whatever the baby needs, the baby takes from your stores. Once the nausea subsides, you will more than make up for the nutrients you are worried about losing for the time being. Further, you know how once you throw up you feel so great? And still of course don’t want to eat? Well, that is EXACTLY when you need to go eat something else. Sometimes I would start with cereal, throw that up, eat toast with jam, throw that up, then have my third breakfast of string cheese and crackers. I would never know what was going to “take”. During my total of 3 pregnancies I gained 40 lbs each and now weigh less than I’ve ever weighed in my life due to breastfeeding and just being so darn busy. So, on that note, even if you DO gain 50 lbs (as you say in your post), you will lose them – don’t worry. Especially with all your knowledge and active lifestyle. Right now, you just get through each day, one day at a time. You’re doing great!!
Thanks for your recommendations Jennifer. Very encouraging! I think I need to try smaller, more frequent meals. I’m just not used to eating so soon after finishing something!
This is great advice and echos what I’ve been told throughout all 3 of my pregnancies (I’m due in August, same as Kath). I can’t keep down water on an empt ystomach either, but Gatorade is fine. Pregnancy is just so strange that you have to do what works for you that day.
So true, Josie. You have to just take it day by day. If I were to tell myself, “Oh my gosh, I’m only 10 weeks and this might go on for like 7 more weeks?”, then I would’ve gotten so depressed.
I feel your pain! I know what it’s like to be nauseated and the very thought of certain foods makes you cringe. Your sandwich looks delish, and I would make no apologies about eating it sick or otherwise! 🙂 I love Honeycrisps. I can’t eat other apples now! They ruined me. 🙁
I wonder what it is that makes veggies so unappealing during pregnancy? I had the same issue – just the thought of them would make me gag. Ugh. Cold cereal and graham crackers were my savior…
I just found your blog while I was looking for granola recipes using coconut oil. I love it (the blog that is).
While I was in my first trimester a midwife (not mine because I lived in a state that does not allow midwifery…gasp) told me to eat cinnamon in the mornings to help keep my blood sugar on an even keel. It totally helped with my nausea. She also said to keep a jar of honey by the bed, and if you wake up nauseous, just dip the tip of your finger in and put a small amount under your tongue. It will bring your blood sugar back up quickly, and you will feel better. It worked for me, every time.
Welcome 🙂
Cinnamon – going to go put some more of that in my oats!
I ate PB on bagels almost every day throughout my pregnancy, my co-workers kept making fun of how much PB I must be going through. I also had a hard time with veggies, especially during my 1st trimester, it got better, but some didn’t sit well with me until after I had our little girl.
Hi! Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but I had really bad morning sickness as well and the trick for me was to eat when I felt good… the second I became even a little bit hungry, I was instantly sick. I just stuck to eating healthy snacks (to avoid too much weight gain) and literally doubled my snacks from 2-3 a day to 6! Breakfast, snack, snack, lunch, snack, snack, dinner, snack and maybe one more! I know it’s a ton of food but even if it is a few saltines or animal cookies or 1/2 an apple, it worked for me! Good luck!
I have definitely made a connection between hunger and nausea…going to try for more smaller meals tomorrow
Sorry about your nausea! That sandwich does look yummy though, don’t worry about the veggies 🙂
Right, Kath – I know it feels like you are doing nothing but eating and thinking about food all day! I think experiencing nausea is the worst for us people who LOVE food so much. You feel so sad to not want the delicious food that you wanted to eat just a few weeks ago.
Hi Kath! Congrats! It sounds like you should be out of the woods soon, but I wanted to add a bit of advice that doesn’t seem to be out there yet. My best friend is pregnant with baby #2, is a nurse, and had really awful morning sickness. Her doctor recommended acupuncture and she said it reduced her sickness by 80%. Just from one treatment! She swears she’ll tell all her other pregnant friends about it and only wished she had known for baby #1.
I would love some acupuncture. I need to investigate that..
Kath, I mentioned this on a different post of yours, but I second the acupuncture idea for sure! I did acupuncture to help with nausea for the 1st 2/3 of my pregnancy. It definitely took me more than one session, probably about 5 before I received the maximum relief and then I just went in itermittently after those 1st 5 or so sessions. I was still very nauseous but it took the edge off and I was able to function as a parent and go to work some. I highly suggest it!
I third it!!
Hopefully, the nausea ends soon for you, because I can relate when I was pregnant with our first child. I would get sinus headaches occasionally that would make me nauseas. Nausea is no fun 🙁 Just think… It is all for the joy of a lil’ one 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Okay, I totally need to catch up on my KERF. I didn’t know you were pregnant… congrats!!! SO exciting:) I remember not being able (and not wanting) anything but fruit my first trimester, which is not my usual M.O. The body (and baby!) wants what it wants!
Oh and I rarely self-promote, but you should check out the Belly to Belly series on my blog. My best friend is due in April, so I created a series of posts with advice for getting ready for baby. Mostly helpful, always funny:)
I’ve been reading 🙂
I could not stomach veggies either for the first 16 weeks. Or yogurt—the horror! I wanted cheese, salt, toast and oranges! Around 20 weeks I was pretty much back to normal. You will feel better eventually. It is so hard though to be in the middle of it! I was worried about weight gain, too, but just keep up your healthy life style and you will be just fine.
The cinnamon swirl pull-apart bread and the animal crackers, and anything white-ish or carby-ish, dense, dry; that was the only thing I ever wanted when I was pregnant. I never really wanted veggies. I came around with fruit by about 20-25 weeks or so, but really, I had to force veggies and to an extent fruit the whole time. It will get easier for you, though! 🙂
Animals to the rescue– cute cute! 🙂 Glad you can be honest with all of us readers too!
I couldn’t stomach veggies when I was pregnant either! Just the thought of them made me sick. I couldn’t get enough cold fruit. Yumm. I saw your comment about gaining “50” pounds…I gained about 55 pounds during my pregnancy, and my doctor kept saying I was doing fine and that it was not a problem. I literally only gained in my stomach and every other body part was normal, but it was a lot of fluid too, especially at the very end. I was gaining 2 pounds a week and that was without making any changes to my diet, etc. I also ate a “normal” amount of food, I ate healthfully and did not “eat for two”. I only added about 1 extra snack per day. I was so worried about not being able to shed the weight after, but it just melted off, especially with breastfeeding! I actually ended up losing all 55 pounds plus 10 more, without even trying. I’m guessing it’s from moving all day long now as opposed to sitting at a desk at work all day! You have such healthy habits with food and exercise, so please don’t worry at all about the weight gain, I have a good feeling it will just all melt right off after you have the baby!! Hopefully around 13 weeks your morning sickness will subside too. The 2nd trimester is so much easier than the first!
Oh dear, I hope I didn’t offend anyone who did gain 50 pounds!!
I’ve heard the smaller you are pre-pregnancy, the more likely you’ll gain a ton – and take it off just as fast. That’s amazing you lost all +10 with little effort!! Congrats!
Well don’t worry about me, I was not offended! I had the SAME feelings when I was first prego! I said “I’m only going to gain 25 pounds!” Ha! The weight just came on on it’s own! (mostly fluid)…but yeah, you’re petite so I’m sure you will lose whatever you gain just as fast!! Just enjoy every second because it really does go by so fast!
Thanks for the congrats! I am trying to get pregnant again, so there goes all my weight loss, but it’s all for a good cause 🙂
Ooh any kind of nausea is the worst! Hope your appetite settles in soon enough! Have you tried fizzy water when the urge comes? That might help!
Lucy has been sick so I’ve been out of the blog-reading routine, and thus I JUST SAW THAT YOU’RE PREGNANT!! Woohoo!!!
I had terrible morning sickness — could barely move and blogging about food was torture! There was one week where I had to develop a few peanut butter recipes including salmon with a red chili peanut paste. Let me tell you, doesn’t get worse than fish with peanut butter when you’re nauseous. Lots of heaving into the kitchen sink was involved (don’t tell my PB sponsor 😉 ). Luckily it passes (hopefully yours will sooner than mine) and then you have the most amazing reward you could ever receive. Big congrats to you & Matt!
Uggg salmon and chili sauce!! Did you have to taste it? Poor you!!
[Did you see that we’re speaking together at BHF this summer!?]
Yes! Just saw that we’re on a panel together — will be fun!!
Tasting the PB-red chili-salmon mixture was brutal. I had to enlist taste testers 🙂
p.s. I’m definitely a proponent of the small, frequent snacks like many people have mentioned. Might even want to abandon “meals” and just divide your meals into snacks every hour or two. It’s hard to adjust at first, but it’s helpful to do this even for later in the pregnancy when the morning (aka all day) sickness is gone b/c then you have a tiny stomach that can’t hold much anyway — so it’s a good habit to start now!
I think you are taking the right approach to eating!! While you are not getting in the same amount of veggies as usual you are making healthy choices and like you said… you could be eating much worse! Nothing to be ashamed about there.
Morning sickness doesn’t sound fun! I hate that feeling of being hungry, but not being able to stomach food. At least it gets better after this! 🙂
Kath- you should check out the Health Baby Code by Chris Kresser online. His #7 podcast has a lot of great tips for nausea and he also hits on some acupuncture techniques you can try at home.
Thanks!
Feeling nauseous is no fun! Hope you get through this stage soon!
It’s got to be a real strain not to eat veggies, I know it would be for me, but your almond butter/banana sandwich looks great!
Im sorry you are sick. 🙁
I was sick the whole entire 9 months with all 3 of my boys.
I literally did not stop throwing up until the minute they left my body! so weird.
I think thats why we adopted our 4th. I just couldn’t do it anymore.
I felt the same catch 22 though….eating didn’t sound good but eating made me feel better.
I found protein helped but still never was 100% nauseous free.
Hopefully u feel better soon.
I HATED chicken when i was pregnant and loved red meat and real cokes.
SO bizarre bc I hate real coke and don’t really care for red meat!
I still eat cheese and crackers and a honeycrisp apple (LOVE the little ones from Trader Joes) almost every day! I always thought that I would make it a point to make pregnancy the ‘healthiest time of my life’, but when the high carb cravings kicked in during the first trimester I just decided to go with the flow and enjoy it! I pretty much eat what I what (with in reason) and it feels SO GOOD to feel so…liberated! I still make an effort to eat AT LEAST 3 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables most days, but I have also enjoyed/indulged in the sweets/carbs as well! So far, I’ve gained 16.5 pounds according to my doctor (19 pounds according to my scale) and I have 9 weeks to go… So my point is, as long as you don’t sit down with a spoon and the WHOLE PAN of brownies, I’m sure your weight gain will be right on track (plus you are so active)! Enjoy it!
P.S. being pregnant during the holidays was SO FUN because every one was worried about gaining and (for once) I wasn’t 🙂
I have to agree with everyone else here: don’t worry about weight gain right now, just worry about keeping yourself constantly nourished, no matter what that means you have to eat! I did 6 months of an anti-inflammatory diet to get my body totally primed for pregnancy and I remember my husband telling me, when I felt guilty for wanting Annie’s Mac and Cheese or pizza or onion rings, not to forget that all of the great eating pre-pregnancy was still helping the baby. I am a bit anal about eating well, and as soon as I relinquished guilt and worry over my food choices, I started to enjoy pregnancy a lot more (in between being sick all of the time). I am in my third trimester now and I still can’t fathom eating most cooked vegetables and just hearing the word “chicken” makes me nauseas, but I eat tons of gorgeous salads, green smoothies and take a green supplement and Pegnancy has been glorious ever since that first trimester tapered off. I have gained about 17 lbs at 30 weeks now, and honestly, if you just take the best care of yourself possible, given what you have to work with, your body and it’s wisdom will never lead you astray. Gaining 20 lbs or 50 is fine, as long as you do your best and be kind to yourself!