Sorry about this, need to vent a little

[Therese's Mommy]

I. Am. So. Hungry! I am on an ED because of my lo. She is doing great and I am SOOOO glad I have done this, but I am 18 weeks pg and I am having a hard time the past couple of days. I am really hungry. I have dropped alot of fat and probably weight since becoming pg. This is not necessarily a bad thing, since I had a good deal too much weight, but I am just struggling right now. My milk is drying up and she is nursing very little, some days only twice per day. I am tempted to cheat all the time, but I look at her and how far she has come and the temptation fades...but the hunger does not. She went from waking about a dz times per night and having such fitful sleep (for at least the past 18 mos, but maybe even longer) to being a pretty peaceful sleeper who usually wakes no more than 3 times a night. There have been 2 times this week that she only woke once And I know that the better she feels the less she nurses, so I know staying the course is going to help in the long run not to mention I would hate to do something that I now know would make her uncomfortable. She has also had a big increase in her appetite since I started to ED and is starting to grow again. So, I am just so happy.

Sorry for the rambling post, I am a little woozy right now waiting to go eat dinner with the family. Thanks for letting me vent, I know there are mamas here who can understand my struggle and also ones that make my struggle look like a walk in the park. Bravo for all you do for you little ones

Beth

[lil_miss_understood]

Congratulations! I didn't realize you were pregnant! :

Is there any way you can keep a lot of safe snacks on hand? I'm not sure what you're avoiding, but maybe if you give us the run down, we could help brainstorm some easy snacks for you to keep around to try to stave off the hunger?

[WuWei]

I make green juice/green smoothies and snack on those all day long. This site, "Got Greens?" has easy recipes. http://gotgreensrevolution.com/ Basically, you add any fruit and a handful of fresh greens to the blender and some water. Drink up. Do this daily and in two weeks, you'll feel amazing!!


Also, another quick and nutrient dense food is raw nuts and dried fruits and berries.

The most important nuts are TWO Brazil nuts a day (for Selenium-critical for many chemical reactions in the body), Pumpkin seeds, Walnuts, Almonds, Pecans, Sunflower seeds (in that order of importance, essentially). I purchase them at Costco (or Earth Fare, Home Economist) and mix up about 10 pounds and put it big ziplock bags (lasts for a month or two). Then I just take them along when we leave the house. I never have to eat out suddenly when I'm hungry; and the essential fatty acids, and microminerals and nutrients are very important to replenishing your cellular and neurochemical functions. I buy dried goji berries, mulberries, gooseberries (at Home Economist) and dried blueberries, cranberries (Costco), coconut flakes (EF), and Giradelli 60% chocolate chips (Harris Teeter) for the mix too.


Pat

[dannic]

Do you have any safe fats? I know when I began going off foods, that fats really helped me finally feel full! I was amazed at how much fat I could eat and not gain weight--lose, even! (Not that you're all too worried about that during preggo) I second JR--tell us what you can eat and we'll help find snack ideas!

[mtn.mama]

You're awesome! I concur to load up on fats and proteins, and whatever safe foods you have. Just eat and eat and eat. You can do this! Heck, you're doing it!

[Therese's Mommy]

Thanks for letting me come and let some of my frustration out. I hate to complain, I know my lo has the tough end of the deal. And the rest of the family has to deal with things as well. Just sometimes when I am so hungry I just kind of go over the edge. Plus, I was at the grocery store yesterday and I let myself look for something fun to eat....bad idea, it always leaves me a little depressed.

Anyway, I am back today, still hungry, waiting for my wonderful dh to make me a salad for lunch :: My lo had another wonderful night, sleeping for 8.5 hours before waking ::: Each night is better than the last. When I started the ED 3 months ago, things got better, but then got worse. When things went south I cut out a ton of stuff to get back to baseline. Now that we are there I am going to introduce some things. Today I am introducing sunbutter : She seemed to be ok with it before, so I am planning on having success. My biggest concern is with possible soy contamination, but I am going to take that chance for now. Her sleep is the big indicator, so I will know right away if it is a no go or not.

As for what we are avoiding. She has known allergies to wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, avocado, and banana. We obviously avoid all of those in all forms along with corn, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, all nuts and most seeds. The last ones listed I am not sure about and hope to introduce slowly. I will definitely hold off on nuts and probably the seeds as well, except for the sunflower seeds. I also hope to introduce coconut as another fat source. On top of this we are vegetarian. While I do not rule out eating meat if it becomes necessary, I just feel that right now that is a can of worms I am not ready to open.

So, I eat alot of beans, and boy do I mean alot My fat sources are olive oil and cocoa butter I eat about half a serving (sometimes a little more) of 85% cocoa chocolate everyday...it keeps me sane I put olive oil on most things I eat, even steamed veggies, that is something I never did in the past. I am not drinking any milk sub. I have vanilla hemp milk, but it is just too sweet for me. I don't like really sweet things and on an empty stomach it makes me feel sick I eat lots of fruit and veggies. I eat rice and quinoa, occasionally I will make millet. I guess that is about it. I don't eat many snacks as really I need to make everything that goes in my mouth so I have a hard time must keeping up with meals. Between meals I will eat some fruit or veggies or just some of the leftovers in the fridge. I did get an ice cream maker for Mother's Day and a vegan ice cream recipe book, so as long as my lo is ok with coconut I will start making us some ice cream

Thanks for letting me vent

Beth