Best suggestions for putting on weight?

[2happymamas]

I need some good suggestions for gaining weight in this pregnancy. I started out overweight at 5'5 and 175lbs. I am now 30 weeks pregnant and weight 171. My fundal height is perfect and, at the 20 week scan, baby was measuring within a day of where she should be.

I lost about 5lbs. in the 1st trimester, gained all five back and was at 177.5 (2.5 overall gain) until the I got sick. I got a stomach bug in mid-December (vomiting) and then had diarrhea for 2-3 weeks. I was better for 1-2 weeks and then got Influenza A for a week. I was better again for a week and then got a nasty stomach bug this past week. In mid-December I was 175, 175 again two weeks ago, and then 171 yesterday.

FTR, I only gained 11-12 pounds the entire pregnancy with DD and started out at 168. At 30 weeks with her, I had gained 5-6lbs. 

My MW really wants to start seeing me gain weight and I understand. She wants me to drink one milkshake each day with yogurt, ice cream, and milk in it. Also said I need to start hitting the protein hard. This is an area in which I know I need to do better. Does anyone have suggestions for protein? I will eat meat...it's just one of those things that are hard to stomach sometimes. Eggs are really hard for me and always have been. Not a big fan of nuts, either. I love fruits, dairy, and veggies. In order of preference, I could probably eat meat first, then nuts, then eggs.

Suggestions? MW ideally wants to me gain about 20lbs. this pregnancy and I am not sure if that's possible now. However, I know I need to start gaining. Suggestions? Good shake recipes? Protein ideas?

[javilu]

Do you like mayo?  You could make sure every sandwich has mayo on it, dip veggies in it, etc.  I think some types are healthier than others - like with omegas in them.  Healthy fats are good for you and baby.  For protein, maybe meat would be more palatable to you if it's in something, like a meat sauce or casserole.  There are also pastas with added protein.  Beans are healthy, too.

I think gaining 20 pounds in ten weeks is a bit much to ask for, though.  When I was pregnant with my son, I also was a little overweight to begin with, but not at all in that category where people are advised to gain very little weight.  I was still in the "gain 20 pounds" category.  Anyway, I lost over ten pounds in the first half of my pregnancy and by the time he was born, I was up only 8 pounds from my starting weight.  So, I did manage to gain almost 20 pounds from my lowest weight, but that was over 20 weeks, not ten.  My son was a bit small (and my fundal height was about 4 weeks behind in the last month of pregnancy), but he probably wouldn't have been very big even if I'd gained a little more, because I was a small baby myself.  But he was (and is) perfectly healthy.  My point being, it's stressful to be a low-gainer, I know.  But it doesn't mean your baby will necessarily be unhealthy.  It's really hard to eat when nothing sounds good, so eat what you can and if you have a day where you can eat a bit more, do so and focus on healthy choices if possible (things with good healthy fats, etc.).  =)

[Buddhamom]

How about avocado?  I just mash it and season it and eat it raw in my salads or dip veggies in it.

[javilu]

Now I want some guacamole!

[mkmoro311]

How about a protein shake!

[HopefullyMama]

Sorry, thread crashing!  

Yeah avocados are amazing.  I just discovered a way to eat them that is just.....yum.  Someone on this board actually suggested it!  We call it "bootleg guacamole" in my house 

Mash up an avocado with some sea salt and lime juice, warm up a tortilla (corn, whole wheat, sprouted grain...w/e you have), spread on the avocado mixture and roll it up.  YUM, i could eat like, 10 of those in a row.  Easy to stomach, tastes delish, and is a good way to get some calories and fat into you.  

[L&K'smommie]

I'll be honest...I don't think you need to worry. Yes trying to eat more protein is always good but every woman and every pregnancy is going to be different, so long as you aren't dieting or starving yourself I think you're fine.
I'm in the same place as you...I'm currently 25 w pregnant and have only gained 5 lbs... I started out at 173 (5'7 and 30lbs heavier than I started with my first) and am now 177. I'm measuring just right(even might be a little ahead) and my pregnancy is going well. My MW hasn't said anything about me needing to gain more.

As for ideas...good fats such as avocado, butter or coconut oil are great. Nuts are also a great snack. For protein I usually eat eggs in a homemade egg burrito with cheddar cheese, avocado and maybe some sour cream or some black beans, whatever is on hand...or yogurt is an easy one as well. And then we usually have chicken or moose for dinner.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by L&K'smommie 

I'll be honest...I don't think you need to worry. Yes trying to eat more protein is always good but every woman and every pregnancy is going to be different, so long as you aren't dieting or starving yourself I think you're fine.
I'm in the same place as you...I'm currently 25 w pregnant and have only gained 5 lbs... I started out at 173 (5'7 and 30lbs heavier than I started with my first) and am now 177. I'm measuring just right(even might be a little ahead) and my pregnancy is going well. My MW hasn't said anything about me needing to gain more.
 

I want to agree with this - I started out very underweight (5'7" and 127 pounds) when I got pregnant and didn't gain much because I threw up for 26 weeks. My baby was 6 1/2 pounds and is very healthy. My last pregnancy I gained 45 pounds and had an 8 pound baby and started out 10 pounds heavier than this time. I went through a spurt where I gained a lot of weight in one month and my "medwife" freaked and I asked her if she knew my starting weight, she was just comparing from my last visit. She said no - went back to her charts and then said "oh you are ok you are catching up" I think it's all subjective.

[Italiamom]

I'd agree with previous PPs and say to focus way less on the weight gain, and way more on bumping up the protein.  My mom gained 6 pounds when she was pregnant with me, and I was a healthy 8lb 12 oz baby girl.  The protein affects your blood volume and makeup though, so put your efforts there (IMO, take it how you will).

I LOVE eggs, but when I'm pregnant they just sound awful to me too.  AWFUL!

Protein ideas include pulled pork (protein and fat rich), on a nice thick whole wheat bun (you'll get some protein in the whole grains), and if you wanted to add some fat you could put some coleslaw on there too (oh god, so hungry now).  French dip sandwiches might work out well (again with a nice, dense whole wheat bun) and maybe some favorite cheese melted on top.  If you like lamb, lamb tends to be a fattier meat, and you can roast a leg with plenty of garlic and rosemary...  Protein shakes are a pretty decent idea.  I use the Spirutein brand chocolate shake, and it's pretty great with some whole milk!  In the morning when I don't really have an appetite, I can still usually get through a protein shake no problem (it satisfies thirst too, so that's nice).  Some marinated flank steak on a tortilla with cheese, sour cream, and avocado would provide lots of protein and fat.  You can roast a whole turkey and make turkey sandwiches with cream cheese, cranberry sauce, swiss cheese, & mayo (my favorite part of thanksgiving).  You can also make turkey enchiladas with lots of cheese, beans, and sour cream.  The dark meat tends to have more fat...  Adding extra eggs to things that aren't directly eggs (like an extra egg or two in the pancake or waffle mix), can boost protein without having to directly eat eggs (ew).  I like extra egg waffles with a thick slice of ham, cheese, and maple syrup on top!  A bean and Italian sausage soup has a pretty good deal of protein, and if you don't drain the fat off the sausage it would provide extra fat there too.

And now I'm famished.

[Mama Metis]

I would agree with the others who say not to worry about trying to gain weight. You haven't been gaining because you were sick. Now that you're well, you will naturally gain. I would just concentrate on eating healthy. I don't think there is any evidence that gaining that much weight will be beneficial to you or the baby.