Eating is something I do every single day. Eating is something I think about all day long. Aside from the obvious affect my diet has on me, now that I am pregnant my diet also affects my growing baby. It is because of my baby that I think about food choices so frequently, but also why I am so willing to change what I am eating to better support my pregnancy which of course supports the health and development of my baby.
Protein has become a dominating feature in my diet. Every food choice I make includes something that contains protein, whether it is eggs for breakfast or a snack of apple slices with peanut butter, I intentionally choose foods that provide protein. In the beginning eating one hundred grams of protein daily was a massive challenge, but now I have no problem reaching my one hundred gram goal.
I have never drank more water in my life than right now. Normally I would just drink water when I was thirsty (I do not drink soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, etc.). I would have an occasional latte. I drank tea rarely usually only when I am sick. Now I make a concerted effort every day, morning, noon, and night to drink water. I even started keeping a tally of my water intake in my food journal to ensure that I am drinking at least three quarts every day (in a few weeks it will be four).
Given my recent experience of gaining beyond my healthy target weight gain because of eating too much ice cream and too much fruit (among other things), there are lots of food (that are not necessarily unhealthy) that I have given up or simply avoid when possible. Sweets of course is first on the list followed by grains (which also is a common ingredient in lots of sweets but also includes pop corn, cereal, and rice). This is of course in addition to all the processed and enriched foods that I started giving up before, during, and after the birth of our first child (it is an ongoing process), but in general includes foods that rate “high” on the glycemic index chart.
The foods I eat now are very much “whole foods” mostly organic with an emphasis on protein and a daily awareness and avoidance of sugar. I rarely eat foods that I do not like. I even indulge in a little chocolate every once in while. It all goes in my food journal so that I know what I am feeding my baby. The diet during pregnancy is about maintaining a healthy pregnancy and growing a healthy baby!