The Difference Between Comfort Eating & Healthy Eating In Pregnancy

This entry is based on my experience with how I felt while I ate healthy - as well as when I ate less nutritious foods while I was pregnant.

Much like anyone, pregnant or not, one major point I noticed while I was eating healthier and more nutrient rich foods is that I had more energy and I felt better physically. I mean, even when I was eating healthy, I did have periods of time where I was still physically fatigued - let's face it, that's part of pregnancy, and can happen to anyone, pregnant or not, thanks to a variety of factors, say... a bad nights sleep?

On the opposite arc, when I ate nutrient deprived foods, I had lower energy and was more sluggish. As my pregnancy progressed, I noticed that I couldn't eat as much junk food and that eating the amount that I could pre-pregnancy and early in pregnancy actually made me feel physically ill. What do I usually want to do when I feel ill? Well, drink a tall glass of water and go have a nap or go to bed a little earlier. How did that work out? Well, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I needed to throw up. I could still smell the food I'd eaten earlier in the air, and boy! Thanks to hormone changes and heightened sense of smell, those smells were very potent - which didn't make me feel any better at the time. There was even one night I woke up feeling not only like I had to throw up, but I also had really bad diarrhea. Not a fun night for me, I can tell you that much.

Another huge difference I took note of - Victoria moved a LOT less when I ate crappy food with little or no nutritional value, even if it is loaded with sugar! And she moved quite a lot when I eat food that's good for us. I never would have guessed that this would be the case. It's becoming more and more apparent to me that junk food is toxic and that the habit of eating these junk/comfort foods is an addiction.

One thing I can say - if my baby didn't want it when she was in utero, why the hell should I be eating that crap?

What do you think about the eating habits of North Americans? Do you feel that pregnant women take licence to eat whatever they want whenever they want because they are preggo? Or have you noticed pregnant women you know making a conscious effort to eat healthy with a few treats thrown in?

Don't forget to scroll down past the comments and feed the goldfish!

ANXIETY - Eating Out And About

How about some reading music? I hope you like Cowboy Casanova!

One idea that has made me anxious since I have changed my eating habits in order to be healthier, is the idea of eating something that I haven't prepared myself and don't have control over.

 

I have a "Viva Volunteers" volunteer appreciation dinner coming up, as well as a certain important date coming up that I, under no circumstances want to cook for - never mind the fact that even in May, the weather is too hot for me to bear the thought of turning on my oven.

 

And I am not going to lie - I am a foodie. I will eat the yummy deep fried calamari, the cheesy bread and the cheese burger with fries with refillable pop. (Great combo hey?) Put me in a line up for a buffet, I will have a big plate FULL of all of the tasty, carb loaded, crunchy, sauce drenched finger licking morsels you can think of. I *will* put some veg on my plate to give myself the illusion that I have a nice rounded, albeit, piled high dinner.

 

Don't even bring up dessert. Usually, I get one of every kind of dessert that is on the dessert table. You know those delicious tiny squares with caramel and chocolate? I am ALL over that like flies on stench. I come away with another large plate brimming with sweet goodness - AND go back for seconds. And let me tell you, I can EAT.

 

You can see why I am getting nervous about these upcoming events. What is going to be my smart choice solution? Let's break it down.

1. Eat a good breakfast with plenty of protein. It's been documented that people who include protein in their breakfast (as well as in other meals) are fuller and can sustain themselves for longer than those who don't. I would also like to point out, if you are using your muscles lots, you NEED protein to help build and repair your muscles.
2. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Sometimes thirst is mistaken as hunger, leading you to consuming more calories (pffffffth.....) than you actually need to.
3. If you are going to be eating somewhere unfamiliar, take a look at them menu before hand. Go in and get a paper copy or take a look online and decide before hand what you would like to eat and stick to it. By doing this you have less of a chance to get distracted by the foods you would rahter avoid.
4. Have a snack before you get to your destination so you don't go in starving and wind up eating the whole bread basket.
5. PORTION CONTROL! Nutritionists are always saying that restraurant portions are too big. Eat or order half of what you intend to order. As a society, North Americans are sadly accustomed to larger portions.Allow yourself a slight cheat. If you want dessert, have dessert.
6. Drink a big glass o' H2O before it arrives at your table (Or you walk up to the dessert table) If you're at a restaurant eat a small portion of your dessert or share. If you are at the dessert table limit yourself to 1-2 little delish dessert squares and fill the rest of your plate with fruit.

So how do I feel about eating out of the house when the time comes? I'm still a little nervous. I still have a long way to go until my new eating habits are just second nature. I won't be able to change my eating habits over night. I *AM* however, ver relieved and feel confident that I have a plan. Not to mention good family and friends that do, to some extent, keep me accountable and who want me to reach my goals. (A big thank you my loves!)

I think I'll do just fine... I'll keep you updated :)

Here's a picture of one of my recent meals :) Looks yummy for a salad hey?

Mesculin salad with yellow peppers, red onion, radish and turkey breast, with Lime flavoured Perrier, which FYI, tastes like the green Fruit Loops!