My Prenatal Diet: A Healthy Eating Plan for Pregnancy

My Prenatal Diet: A Healthy Eating Plan That Worked for Me

summarizeEditor's Summary

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I wanted to eat a healthy diet without feeling too restricted. I focused on whole foods and listened to my body's cravings, which wasn't always easy. But I managed to maintain a balanced diet throughout my pregnancy. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed eating veggies, especially tomatoes - they became a staple for me. I also discovered a new love for grapefruits. Eating a variety of foods helped me stay energized and focused throughout the day, even during the second and third trimesters.

settingsSpecifications

Kararİyi

BesinKalitesi8/10

DiyetYöntemi9/10

Sağlıkİyisi7/10

Hello everyone! I'm excited to share my thoughts on prenatal diet.

My experience is a bit dated, but it might still be useful for some future moms. When I was expecting my daughter, I was thrilled and a bit nervous. As soon as I registered for prenatal care, I started mentally preparing myself for natural childbirth.

I'm not a fan of restrictive diets during pregnancy, I thought you should just eat whatever your body wants. If it doesn't want something, don't eat it. Before I got pregnant, I weighed 52 kg and was 165 cm tall.

First and second trimesters.

For the most part, I ate veggies, and I had a soft spot for tomatoes.

I also ate apples, bananas, oranges, and I went crazy for grapefruits.

Soups were always on my menu, and in the first trimester, I mostly drank tomato juice. Later on, I started trying different flavors.

My diet didn't change much, and I didn't experience morning sickness. I didn't follow any diets, and my clothes size remained 46. My belly was small, and I went for weigh-ins every two weeks. My doctor was always satisfied.

At the gynecologist's office. 3rd trimester.

Fast forward to the third trimester, when I went for my regular check-up, my doctor told me I had gained 900 grams, which is way above the normal 300-400 grams.

She asked me what I'd been eating, and I confessed that I'd been indulging in sweets: cookies, candies, and pastries. I just can't resist sweets.

My doctor gave me some advice: 'If you want something sweet, eat a spoonful of honey, instead of candies, eat yogurt with sour cream, add dried fruits to your yogurt: dates, raisins, because your hemoglobin is low. Eat more veggies, fruits, and make sure to include greens in your diet, don't be lazy, make some salads, but without mayonnaise, use oil instead.'

'But I don't like yogurt!' I said.

'Get used to eating healthy, think about your baby!' my doctor replied.

Time to take control. Cutting down on sweets.

In the third trimester, I had some serious constipation issues, and I had to boil beets, make borscht twice a week, drink kefir, and snack on sunflower seeds.

I had to give up coffee as soon as I found out I was pregnant, and chocolate was too calorie-rich, so I made juices and compotes from berries and dried fruits.

I ate honey when I really craved something sweet, but I only had one tablespoon three times a day. Eating more honey would've blown my diet out of the water.

I ate greens and greens, and salad leaves and parsley were frequent companions in my diet.

I'm not going to say I completely gave up sweets, but I could allow myself a few cookies a day or a couple of candies.

THE VERDICT

I stuck to my diet, or rather, my healthy eating plan, until the end of my pregnancy and gained 10 kg by the end. I weighed 62 kg when I gave birth.

The gynecologist's warnings about me gaining too much weight and having a hard time giving birth didn't come to pass.

I mostly stuck to my usual diet, minimized my intake of sweets and cookies, replaced them with whole-grain bread, and added milk, cheese, eggs, and butter to my diet, whole-grain bread, cottage cheese, kefir, rye, and natural yogurt, berries, and honey.

What I cut out

- white bread.

- sweets (almost)

I was happy with my weight and figure during pregnancy. When I went into labor, my neighbors didn't believe me when I said I had an emergency delivery.

But, unfortunately, I started gaining weight later, during breastfeeding, as I drank a lot of liquid, added condensed milk to my milk, and ate walnuts, supposedly for the fat content of the milk.

I'd give my diet during pregnancy 4 out of 4 stars, as I still can't call it a diet, but rather a healthy eating plan.

Thanks for reading!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What kind of diet did you follow during your pregnancy?

I tried to eat a balanced diet that included a variety of whole foods, like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. I also listened to my body's cravings and allowed myself to indulge in moderation.

How did you stay motivated to eat a healthy diet?

I reminded myself of the importance of a healthy diet for my baby's development and my own well-being. I also found support from my prenatal care team and friends who were going through similar experiences.

What were some of your favorite foods during pregnancy?

I loved eating tomatoes, grapefruits, apples, and bananas. I also enjoyed snacking on nuts and seeds.

How did you handle cravings for unhealthy foods?

I tried to satisfy my cravings with healthier alternatives, like air-popped popcorn or a small piece of dark chocolate. I also reminded myself that it's okay to indulge occasionally.

What advice would you give to other pregnant women?

I'd recommend listening to your body and its needs. Eat a variety of whole foods and allow yourself to indulge in moderation. Don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up – just get back on track and keep moving forward.

How did your diet affect your energy levels?

Eating a balanced diet helped me stay energized and focused throughout the day. I was able to keep up with my daily activities and feel more alert and awake.

check_circlePros

•I was able to maintain a healthy weight gain throughout my pregnancy.
•My energy levels stayed consistent, even during the second and third trimesters.
•I didn't experience any major cravings for unhealthy foods.
•Eating a variety of whole foods helped me stay satisfied and avoid overeating.
•My prenatal care team was impressed with my diet and overall health.
•I had a relatively easy time sticking to my diet plan, even when it got tough.
•I was able to enjoy my favorite foods, like apples and bananas, while still eating a balanced diet.