How to be a grain-free vegetarian?

[wolfmama31]

I was experimenting with grain-free (and legume free except I ate hummus...) before I got pregnant and felt better than I can ever remember. Think that's actually why I got pregnant so fast! I ate butter and 1 cup of whole yogurt but that's it for dairy. Some fish too. But mostly nuts, seeds, vegies and fruit. I did some sprouted grains also. Once pregnant, I just ate what i could eat, as I had some really strong aversions. But now that i'm breastfeeding (DD is 10 months and still mainly BFing) grains have been the only thing that fill me up so I've just gone with it. But my energy level is so crummy. Even with broken sleep I know I could feel better than I do. I've been eating mostly gluten-free but have hesitated to jump on the grain-free band wagon because all I hear is that grains make breastmilk. And I'm worried I'll be hungry! 

I've never had any supply issues but I plan on letting DD wean when she wants, hopefully that'll be sometime after 2 years. My bloodsugar has been giving me a run for my money - really have to eat something every 2 hours or I feel like I'm under water. I'm not opposed to meat on principal I just can't seem to get it down. Even fish is a stretch sometimes. Maybe I could do broths? Can I go grain-free safely and get enough nutrients for me and baby without eating meat? 

Advice and what to eat ideas welcome!!!

[1love4ever]

I'm interested in what others have to say!  What is it about meat that makes you unable to get it down?  Texture, taste, smell, thought?   I really believe that gluten-free is the way to go, so thats great.  I think that being completely grain free is great too.  I have been unable to do this.  I know for sure that I will never give up rice, we love rice.  I struggle with self control in not eating sweets and grains.  Its what I crave, and when I eat them I just crave them more, so I eat more.  Its a vicious cycle.  On days that I have, say, a yummy soup made with homemade broth, lots of meat, veggies, a little rice, etc, I dont crave carbs.  But if I let myself get hungry I crave sweets, grains, etc.  Its been a struggle that i am still trying to figure out. 

In my opinion meat is essential to a healthy diet.   You can do bone broths with bones that have meat left on them

[SundayCrepes]

The recipes at www.elanaspantry.com are wonderful. She makes TONS of stuff out of almond and/or coconut flours.

[beanma]

Well, I'm not really TF, but I'm trying to go gluten free too. I don't know if I could have done it while I was nursing. That was the hungriest I've ever been in my whole life. I could eat twice what I usually eat and I practically downed a pint of ice cream a day and no, I didn't gain any weight. I'm still about what I weighed 12 yrs ago before I was pregnant (maybe 5 lbs more). Anyway, my point is, you need a lot of calories when you're nursing. You're feeding two and the baby is getting a lot bigger now than when she was on the inside! I don't think the calories have to come from grains, though. If dairy doesn't bother you or your little one you might look at some really premium full fat ice-cream. If you have supply issues oats can help, (I saw a significant increase if I used oat milk), but other than that I don't think grains are necessary for breastfeeding at all. I do think fat is necessary in some form or other — meat, dairy, veggie (avocados, coconut, nuts, peanut butter if you're not concerned about allergens) — to help fill you up and provide extra calories. I also needed a lot of fish oil while nursing. It was like the little sweeties just sucked me dry literally. I got really dry skin and eczema, etc. So my advice would be to concentrate on the fats and consider including that fish in your diet again. I'd make sure to add those things in first in large quantities and then reduce the grains, starting with the gluten grains. I don't have a problem with rice or potatoes although I know they are high glycemic. I try to include fat with them, though.

hth and congrats on your little one.

[1love4ever]

Originally Posted by beanma 

Well, I'm not really TF, but I'm trying to go gluten free too. I don't know if I could have done it while I was nursing. That was the hungriest I've ever been in my whole life. I could eat twice what I usually eat and I practically downed a pint of ice cream a day and no, I didn't gain any weight. I'm still about what I weighed 12 yrs ago before I was pregnant (maybe 5 lbs more). Anyway, my point is, you need a lot of calories when you're nursing. You're feeding two and the baby is getting a lot bigger now than when she was on the inside! I don't think the calories have to come from grains, though. If dairy doesn't bother you or your little one you might look at some really premium full fat ice-cream. If you have supply issues oats can help, (I saw a significant increase if I used oat milk), but other than that I don't think grains are necessary for breastfeeding at all. I do think fat is necessary in some form or other — meat, dairy, veggie (avocados, coconut, nuts, peanut butter if you're not concerned about allergens) — to help fill you up and provide extra calories. I also needed a lot of fish oil while nursing. It was like the little sweeties just sucked me dry literally. I got really dry skin and eczema, etc. So my advice would be to concentrate on the fats and consider including that fish in your diet again. I'd make sure to add those things in first in large quantities and then reduce the grains, starting with the gluten grains. I don't have a problem with rice or potatoes although I know they are high glycemic. I try to include fat with them, though.

hth and congrats on your little one.

OMG I am so glad I am not the only one who eats a ton of ice cream while nursing    I feel like such a cow, and I know it is NOT good for me (all that sugar!),  but I CRAVE it, I have such a hard timestaying away from it!  it also helps me deal with the stress of my 2 kids and raising them almost alone.  That and grains, I have always been that way and since going TF its been a real struggle.  I feel better when I am not eating grains and sugar but I have a hard time not eating them!

I also agree that fat is very important for pregnancy and nursing!  I do take my FCLO daily which has lots of good fats, we drink home made kefir from raw milk, use lots of butter and ghee, eat cheese, and eat meat daily.   And I have never had an issue with my supply when not eating grains.  I think its the fat that matters!   And veggies seem to help my supply as well.  If you have supply issues I highly recommend Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid tea :)

[luckiest]

I think the key for you will be FAT. All you can handle. Go out of your way to add as much fat as you can, in the form of coconut products (oil, butter, milk, etc), full-fat dairy if you (and DD) can handle it, and butter. I like to cook my veggies in coconut oil and then add more butter on top when they're done. Can you eat eggs? Eggs are my best friend. Scrambled in coconut oil, butter and cheese on top.

Fat will keep you full, keep your supply up, and keep you from craving sweets. Get off the insulin roller coaster!

DS is 17 months and probably 95% of his calories come from breastmilk i need to EAT. I do eat meat, but I find fat to be more key than protein in keeping me satisfied. Here is my favorite thing to eat if I'm feeling like I just can't feel full - a satiety smoothie.

1/2 can coconut milk (native forest is BPA free)
1/2 avocado
Either a handful of berries or a chunk of banana
2 raw egg yolks (trust your source, obviously)

Does the trick every time. Also, you'll think this sounds gross but I swear it's delicious - I put unsalted pastured butter in my coffee (1-2 tbsp). Look up bulletproof coffee for the technique.

I whip my own heavy cream (unsweetened) to put on fruit for snacks. Eating fat is the only way I feel good, not constantly starving, and maintaining enough supply to fill virtually all the dietary needs of a toddler.

HTH!

[luckiest]

Oh whoops, I also add coconut oil to the smoothie. A tablespoon or two.

[girlspn]

Originally Posted by luckiest 

I think the key for you will be FAT. All you can handle. Go out of your way to add as much fat as you can, in the form of coconut products (oil, butter, milk, etc), full-fat dairy if you (and DD) can handle it, and butter. I like to cook my veggies in coconut oil and then add more butter on top when they're done. Can you eat eggs? Eggs are my best friend. Scrambled in coconut oil, butter and cheese on top.
Fat will keep you full, keep your supply up, and keep you from craving sweets. Get off the insulin roller coaster!
DS is 17 months and probably 95% of his calories come from breastmilk i need to EAT. I do eat meat, but I find fat to be more key than protein in keeping me satisfied. Here is my favorite thing to eat if I'm feeling like I just can't feel full - a satiety smoothie.
1/2 can coconut milk (native forest is BPA free)
1/2 avocado
Either a handful of berries or a chunk of banana
2 raw egg yolks (trust your source, obviously)
Does the trick every time. Also, you'll think this sounds gross but I swear it's delicious - I put unsalted pastured butter in my coffee (1-2 tbsp). Look up bulletproof coffee for the technique.
I whip my own heavy cream (unsweetened) to put on fruit for snacks. Eating fat is the only way I feel good, not constantly starving, and maintaining enough supply to fill virtually all the dietary needs of a toddler.
HTH!

Totally agree with luckiest about adding fat. I cut out most grains during my pregnancy and the only way I manage to stay satiated is lots of fat. Also cuts cravings-- I try to eat more during meals and avoid snacking. Bone broth is healthy, and the Chinese say that fish broth helps to supply (I'm Chinese). I do eat meat and fish though, a lot more since I started breastfeeding because I was always so hungry. I eat about 50% of my daily calories in fat sometimes. I eat little to no grains-- my little one is 11 months old now, still 90% on breastmilk, and is thriving.

[Attached Mama]

Maybe try not to go totally no grains at first, just cut way back and follow your body's lead. I tend to be an all or nothing person but I am learning that sometimes moderation is the way to go. I eat a TF diet, am mostly vegetarian, eat lots of fish, eat very little grains. But sometimes I like a small bit of rice with a stew and occasionally I crave warm, creamy, properly soaked oatmeal. And sometimes there is no replacement for popcorn loaded with pastured butter and taco seasoning. :) But mostly I eat lots of raw dairy etc. I agree that you can probably be full on a lot of fats. 

[Just1More]

My second couldn't tolerate wheat, so I ate almost no grains at all until he was nearly a year old.  The other part of his problem was my crazy oversupply, so...you don't need grains for supply. :)

[flightgoddess]

I second the cut back of grains, and when you do consume them, top them with lots of protiens and fats. Nut butter, cheeses, dips, butter, coconut oil, etc...

Nursing expends a lot of calories/energy. ANd they are right, some grains are galactogenic.