Brewer Diet - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[Lynann]

The concept is "salt to taste" rather than just unlimited salt. It also should be healthy salt, not just the standard table salt. We use sea salt in our home. Too little salt can actually contribute to high blood pressure & Pre-E as much as too much refined salt can. Sea salt or Himalyan Salt has essential minerals that we need for our bodies to work properly, which is why they recommend that you salt to taste. The whole thing is a bit more complex than just eat lots of protein & salt, which is how it can appear at first glance. It really is about fully balanced nutrition that allows the body to cope better with the extra requirements of growing a baby, increasing blood supply, lactation etc. It is also important to make sure you are drinking enough filtered water too as hydration is as important as nutrition is.

[pastormama]

Yes, I second Lynann - the basic formula is adequate calories + lots of protein + salt to taste.  This allows for a healthy increase in blood volume.  Your blood is basically made of salt water and protein.  The salt must come from healthful sources, not processed foods.  Redmond's real salt is my favorite - lots of trace minerals.  Enough salt allows your cells to retain the water they need rather than leaking out into tissues.  Many women have solved swelling and blood pressure problems by ADDING a 1/2 teaspoon of salt per day into a glass of water.  The "cut out salt to reduce swelling and bp" is outdated advice still given by many doctors who do not understand that pregnancy-induced hypertension is totally different than chronic hypertension.

As far as the protein goes, make sure you understand that this does not mean 6-8 SERVINGS (of 3-4 oz each) of protein per day.  Look at the Brewer Diet webpage - this means 6-8 units.  A 4-oz piece of chicken may have 3 or 4 units of protein in it.  So rather than getting all crazy about the protein counting, I just try to think:  2 eggs, four servings of dairy, 2 reasonably sized servings of protein.  Fruits, veggies, carbs come last for me.  Does that help?

[Ghislaine]

Thanks for posting about this and bumping the thread ladies!  I won't be following the Brewer's diet exactly but what I should be doing ( please be almost done with morning sickness!) is high protein like the Brewer's diet so I'll be following the thread.

Originally Posted by kimble 

anything pasteurized is fine .. not sure how much they pasteurize things in the UK!

DH found some really yummy pasteurized soft cheeses that are basically cheese, whey/cream,and the flavor. I love the bacon and horseradish ones ...

My midwife actually recommended sardines as an excellent source of proteins and good fats and recommended I eat them at least once a week. If DH didn;t cook dinner I have a hard time forcing myself to eat them because of the strong smell. anyone have some good recipies?

I've been using sardines to make a Caesar salad dressing:  

2 egg yolk (you may want to replace this with a pasturized egg)

2 tbl Dijon mustard

6 to 8 anchovy fillets, minced

2 tbl chopped garlic

4 tbl balsamic vinegar

3 tsp lemon juice

dash of worcestershire sauce

2 cups olive oil

2 tbl warm water, if necessary

1 cup parmesan

Place egg yolk, mustard, anchovies, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce into a bowl.

Mix with whisk

Slowly add olive oil until fully incorporated

If dressing gets too thick, add warm water and then continue until all oil is added

Add parmesan and continue to mix

Makes 1 1/2 cup

[Loogiejane]

you've been using sardines instead of anchovies?
 

[Quinalla]

I'm not following this strictly, but I'm doing everything I can to up my protein. The best ways for me are to have 3 meals and 3 snacks per day at least (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack) and this is not hard as I am nearly always hungry. I try to have some protein in every snack and meal. I'm trying to eat some eggs everyday as they are such a good source. I'm keeping my work and home stocked with lots of quick and easy to eat protein items (cheese, milk, liversausage, lunch meat, Kashi high protein cereal, nuts, peanut butter, greek yogurt, protein shakes/bars, etc.) I don't always make my protein that I am shooting for, but I do most days!

[Ghislaine]

Originally Posted by Loogiejane 

you've been using sardines instead of anchovies?
 

Um, I might have once but now that you point it out I'm thinking that was pregnancy brain at work!  LOL, anchovies are good for you too, right?

[OtherMother]

I'd like to follow the diet- and agree w. it as far as types of foods to eat/not eat- but hot damn that's a lot of food!!! How are we supposed to fit all that in? I am weight-conscious (I know, taboo during pg) and want to avoid gaining 876675487688 pounds. That much food just seems unnatural .. I'd literally be in the kitchen all day.

[Lynann]

The amazing thing for me is the lack of weight I gained when I followed it more closely. With DS1 I mostly did it, but not very strictly, and towards the end not at all. I gained 35lbs with him. With DS2 I followed it very closely as I got protein leakage at the end with DS1. I only gained 20lbs with him. And both were on the bigger side when they were born, DS1 was 8lb7oz and DS2 was 9lb8oz. For me at least eating all that food and focusing on getting enough protein actually resulted in a lot less weight gain.

[nstewart]

Originally Posted by Quinalla 

I'm not following this strictly, but I'm doing everything I can to up my protein. The best ways for me are to have 3 meals and 3 snacks per day at least (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack) and this is not hard as I am nearly always hungry. I try to have some protein in every snack and meal. I'm trying to eat some eggs everyday as they are such a good source. I'm keeping my work and home stocked with lots of quick and easy to eat protein items (cheese, milk, liversausage, lunch meat, Kashi high protein cereal, nuts, peanut butter, greek yogurt, protein shakes/bars, etc.) I don't always make my protein that I am shooting for, but I do most days!

Katie, I'm doing the same as you.  I have a breakfast sandwich (eggs, cheese, sometimes bacon) about 3 days a week and have oatmeal or toast with PB the other days.  I keep almonds and PB in my desk drawer at work, and otherwise am just trying to make choices that involve protein.  Given my love of dairy, this isn't hard!  Interestingly, with DS I retained a TON of fluid at the end and was miserable.  My BP was totally fine but I was uncomfortable, got carple tunnel, my feet hurt, and I gained a lot of weight (at least 40lbs).  I know a ton of it was was water as I was in my "skinny" jeans within 2 months, but still.  I wonder if focusing on protein this time will help?

Originally Posted by Ghislaine 

Um, I might have once but now that you point it out I'm thinking that was pregnancy brain at work!  LOL, anchovies are good for you too, right?

Yes, anchovies are really good for you!  Good, healthy oils and protein too!

[nstewart]

Just came across this on my midwives web page and thought it may be of interest:

More Protein!!

Add to salad:

Hard boiled eggs (1=6gm)

Sunflower Seeds (1/2 cup= 12gm)

Cheese( 1 inch cube=3gm)

Nuts

Cooled Cooked Beans (1/2 cup=10gm)

Cold cooked salmon (1 serving=20 gm)

Add to sandwiches:

Cheese (1 slice=5gm)

Sunflower Seeds

Bean Spread (Hummus)(1/2 cup=10gm)

Scrambled Egg

Slice of Meat (not processed)

Slice of Tofu(about 5gm)

Add to baked goods

Non-fat Dry Milk

Soy Flour

Egg

Wheat Germ(1/2 cup=10gm)

Nuts

Add on the side

Yogurt (1 cup= 8gms)

Deviled Eggs

Cottage Cheese (1 cup= 25gm)

Granola

Beans and Corn

Quinoa (1 cup=11gm)

Lentils (1/2 cup=9gm)

Add as a snack

Milk Shakes

Cheese

Yogurt

Frozen Yogurt

Nuts

Bean Dip

Add as a topping

Cheese

Granola

Yogurt

Roasted Nuts

Wheat Germ

Seeds

Almonds( 1 oz=6gms)

Pumpkin seeds

Combine Proteins for more complete

sources:

Rice and Legumes

Corn and Legumes

Wheat and Legumes

Wheat and Sesame

Rice and Sesame

Vegetables and Mushrooms

Vegetable and Nuts

Vegetable and Sesame Seeds

[aHikaru]

Originally Posted by nstewart 

Just came across this on my midwives web page and thought it may be of interest:

More Protein!!

Add to salad:

Hard boiled eggs (1=6gm)

Sunflower Seeds (1/2 cup= 12gm)

Cheese( 1 inch cube=3gm)

Nuts

Cooled Cooked Beans (1/2 cup=10gm)

Cold cooked salmon (1 serving=20 gm)

Add to sandwiches:

Cheese (1 slice=5gm)

Sunflower Seeds

Bean Spread (Hummus)(1/2 cup=10gm)

Scrambled Egg

Slice of Meat (not processed)

Slice of Tofu(about 5gm)

Add to baked goods

Non-fat Dry Milk

Soy Flour

Egg

Wheat Germ(1/2 cup=10gm)

Nuts

Add on the side

Yogurt (1 cup= 8gms)

Deviled Eggs

Cottage Cheese (1 cup= 25gm)

Granola

Beans and Corn

Quinoa (1 cup=11gm)

Lentils (1/2 cup=9gm)

Add as a snack

Milk Shakes

Cheese

Yogurt

Frozen Yogurt

Nuts

Bean Dip

Add as a topping

Cheese

Granola

Yogurt

Roasted Nuts

Wheat Germ

Seeds

Almonds( 1 oz=6gms)

Pumpkin seeds

Combine Proteins for more complete

sources:

Rice and Legumes

Corn and Legumes

Wheat and Legumes

Wheat and Sesame

Rice and Sesame

Vegetables and Mushrooms

Vegetable and Nuts

Vegetable and Sesame Seeds

this babe loves protein, that's what made me first think it was a boy.