Energy foods?

[Storm Bride]

So, I've got an almost 7 week old baby. I'm not getting a lot of sleep. I also had a c-section (again), so my physical activity level has been a bit low (some kegels, abdominal exercises, very mild stretching when I'm not holding/nursing a baby, and walking). I'm starting to feel more like exercising again.

However, I'm exhausted...just completely exhausted. I'm also fighting a cold, I think (ds2 and dd2 have shown some signs of it, too). When I'm tired and/or sick - just run down, in general - I crave sugar. It's getting pretty bad, and I don't want to start eating a bunch of crappy carbs. (I'm not totally anti-carb, or even anti-grain, but refined sugar is bad news, and I know it.)

What would you all recommend as foods to reach for when I'm tired? Obviously, what I really need is sleep, but that's problematic, at least for a while. So...?? Thoughts??

[Llyra]

One thing to think about: after childbirth, your mineral reserves are often depleted. And it's worse after a c-section because of extra blood loss. Particularly your iron reserves are affected, and that can have real effects on how you feel. So I'd start with something iron-rich. Do you eat meat? Red meat a few times a week might be a great thing for you. Liver, even, if you can eat that. Egg yolks are good, too. You can boil eggs ahead of time and have them in the fridge, and eat them with some spices or whatever appeals to you. The fat sticks with you, too, and helps you feel full, so that you're not craving snacky stuff.

And fruit is always a good alternative when you're craving something sweet. It's got the added bonus of not having to be cooked! A nice filling fruit like banana will satisfy hunger really well, and something like an orange is full of folic acid and vitamin C.

Other than that, I also wonder what you're doing in terms of caffeine usage. Often, when we're not sleeping, we rely on caffeine to get through the day, but the crash that comes after a few hours can be worse than just not drinking the caffeine to start with. It can also contribute to dehydration. Being mildly dehydrated can contribute to feeling weary. Watch that you're drinking enough.

Sugar's like that, too-- we crave it because we want the "rush" of high blood sugar that comes with it, but then we feel even worse once that wears off. So I think you're right to avoid it.

Some time in the sun and fresh air can energize you, too, and help with depleted Vitamin D. After I had the twins (also a section) I used to go sit in on the back porch to nurse them. It always helped me feel a little less lost and exhausted.

[cristeen]

Like the pp - my first thought is low iron. Red meat, leafy greens, cooked in cast iron, paired with Vitamin C and save your dairy for other times of the day. In general, I'd increase your protein until you're feeling better anyway, but red meat is going to do the most for your iron levels.

I'll also second the fat recommendation - eggs are a great source, and if you're looking for easy, I'd probably go with egg muffins so you can just grab them from the fridge and eat them cold.

[Storm Bride]

I do eat red meat, probably 2-3 times a week, most weeks. I don't mind liver, but don't really eat it, because I only cook family meals, and dh doesn't like liver. I've been on Floradix and a whole food vitamin C supplement since my c-section, as well.

I start my day every day with two cold hard-boiled eggs. I think I'm doing okay on protein, fat and iron. I sometimes snack on cheese, yogurt (dairy is always in the early afternoon) and/or nuts, as well, so I'm probably good for fats.

I think I really need to get back in the habit of grabbing fruit when I want something sweet. Somehow, I've developed this "oh, leave that for dd1 and ds2" about fruit. For instance, we just ran out of nectarines, and I never had one, because I let the kids eat them all. The plums are going that way, too. Maybe I'll grab one while I can!

I do drink coffee, but only two cups a day, and I've done that for years - pregnant, breastfeeding, neither of the above - I love a couple cups in the morning. I don't do any other caffeine, and I never have it later in the day...don't like it, and it keeps me awake. I drink lots of water, especially because it's hot.

I suspect I really just need to clamp down on the sugar, before it gets out of control. I've eaten too much of it a couple of times in the last few days, and want to get on top of it, before I go crazy. I know how bad I can get when I'm over tired. I guess there's really no substitute for sleep.

Sunshine and fresh air would be great. Unfortunately, our patio is heavily shaded (I like that, in general, but not when I'm more house bound). Our front area is sunny, but we're in a townhouse complex and have no space out front - just the main sidewalk for the complex. If I tried to sit out there in the sun, I'd have to get up every few minutes, and ds2 would probably take off, which would go poorly. Maybe I'll do some nursing on the patio tomorrow...no sun, but more fresh air (although I do sit just a couple feet from the open door much of the time). Fresh air would be good.