Thoughts on getting extra protein in for a pg mama...

[pampered_mom]

This pregnancy has been quite different from the last time around in that for the most part food as a general rule is not appetizing to me at all. As such I'm having a difficult time getting enough protein in (and veggies for that matter). My midwife suggested doing smoothies and then adding protein power or dried milk to them.

Any ideas on a more TF friendly way to do this? I remember reading the dried milk wasn't good so I'm also assuming that the protein powder would be out as well.

Oh...and any ideas on how to add veggies to my smoothie while still maintaining a fruity flavor?

[moneca]

I'd add in a couple organic raw pastured egg yolks IF you know the farmer and are comfortable with raw yolks. You'd not only get protein, but vitamins and omega 3s.
You could also add avacado as the taste is pretty mild and can be easily masked with banana, pineapple, or mango.

[avent]

Originally Posted by pampered_mom

Oh...and any ideas on how to add veggies to my smoothie while still maintaining a fruity flavor?

Carrot seems to go well with lots of things, esp. apple.

[SageR]

If you are using bananas and at least one other kind of fruit in your smoothies you can add chopped kale and you won't be able to taste it. Before I stopped buying bananas I was doing a cup each of banana, blueberries, kale, and water.

Yogurt and nut butter will add protein. I've heard banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, honey is a good combo.

[Flowergirl~]

I was doing some reading on this yesterday and for more protein in your diet you can include more things like amaranth, quinoa, salmon, tuna, salba / chia (if you can find any) and sprouts. Spirulina is another excellent source of easily digested and assimilated protein.

[Rachel J.]

A few days ago I made amaranth crisp bread from this [urs=http://www.rwood.com/recipes.htm]website[/url] and put almond butter on it. Very tasty and different. I fried mine up in coconut oil, great way to get healthy fats for your baby

[Taedareth]

What about whey protein powder? I read on the WAP website that high heat processing destroys the protein value of whey powder, but there are some brands that use only low-temp processing. Our Food Co-Op has one that is sweetened with stevia!

[izandleo]

I loved hummus and also raw almonds.

[kbchavez]

Garden of Life makes a fermented goat milk protein powder dried at low temps called Goatein. If I needed to use a protein powder, this is the one I would choose.

[Flowergirl~]

Originally Posted by Rachel J.

A few days ago I made amaranth crisp bread from this [urs=http://www.rwood.com/recipes.htm]website[/url] and put almond butter on it. Very tasty and different. I fried mine up in coconut oil, great way to get healthy fats for your baby

Rachel, I made that same recipe last night. My homeopath said I must eat more protein and so I investigate all sorts of protein sources to keep my diet balanced. I am to limit my red meats. The amaranth crisp bread was delicious and leftovers makes a good snack. I made mine with ghee and butter. Yum!

[newcastlemama]

Congrats Pampered Mom!!!:

[FillingMyQuiver]

Originally Posted by pampered_mom

Oh...and any ideas on how to add veggies to my smoothie while still maintaining a fruity flavor?

For veggies, I do a "green soup" that I freeze in ice cubes and throw them into smoothies.

I lightly steam and puree 3 different greens, mix them all up to make a soupy green mixture. Then I pour it into ice cube trays and freeze. When I make my smoothies, I toss a couple of cubes into the blender.

My kids love the smoothies and don't taste the greens b/c they're hidden by the frozen fruit I blend in them.

I also add the "green soup" to my homemade pasta sauce. For a quart size jar of sauce, I add about 1/2c of greens.

[MAMom]

Hemp powder has an excellent nutritional profile, with 11g of protein and 13g fiber in 2 scoops. I add it to my smoothies (along with yogurt or keifer, fruit and spirulina). I've been using the Nature's Way brand, but there are several other kinds.

=================
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[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by newcastlemama

Congrats Pampered Mom!!!:

i second this! yea!!!

[art4heart]

[QUOTE=MAMom;8513759]Hemp powder has an excellent nutritional profile, with 11g of protein and 13g fiber in 2 scoops. I add it to my smoothies (along with yogurt or keifer, fruit and spirulina).


Besides smoothies, how can I use hemp powder? My MIL gave some to me, and I don't know what to do with it.

[art4heart]

I'm not sure what "TF" means.... if you can't use this recipe, perhaps another mama looking for more protein can. Even my very carniverous friends think this pie is delicious and filling.

Cashew Pie

2 Tablespoons butter
8 green onions, green and white parts chopped
6 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ black pepper
12 fresh parsley sprigs, minced (preferably flat leaf)
10 fresh cilantro sprigs minced
1 cup cashew pieced, finely chopped
1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry

Preheat oven to 400’

In a medium skillet, heat butter and cook green onions over medium heat about 5 minutes.

In a medium bowl, mix eggs with cinnamon, paprika, salt and pepper.

Add egg mixture to the onions and scramble until the eggs are fairly dry.

Add parsley, cilantro, and cashews. Stir well to break up large chunks.
Set aside to cool.

Lightly oil pie pan, and then place one sheet of pastry into pan. Trim overhanging corners. Add egg mixture.

Top with second sheet of pastry, trim overhanging corners, and then tuck edges of this sheet under the edge of the first sheet to seal in the egg mixture.

Bake for about 20 minutes, until pastry is golden brown.

[pampered_mom]

Thanks for the ideas on the smoothies, ladies! :0) The other foods options unfortunately do not appetize me at all. I will be glad when this phase pases and for now stick with the smoothies for the extra boost that I need.

[applecore]

I was just going to post the same question! I'm just a few weeks in my pregnancy, and nothing is remotely appetizing except for raw fruit and veggies. I'm trying to figure out how to fool my body into accepting some fats and protein! I've heard that you can add coconut oil to smoothies, but I was wondering if you use frozen fruit if it would make the oil solidify.

As for adding veggies, I have great luck with green smoothies, too. I find that approx. 40% greens and 60% fruit works well. As long as there's a nice ripe banana in there, I don't need any other sweetener. Kale is great, but spinach is almost as good, and easier to find organic here. I just add water to blend.

[ASusan]

Originally Posted by applecore

I was just going to post the same question! I'm just a few weeks in my pregnancy, and nothing is remotely appetizing except for raw fruit and veggies. I'm trying to figure out how to fool my body into accepting some fats and protein! I've heard that you can add coconut oil to smoothies, but I was wondering if you use frozen fruit if it would make the oil solidify.

I have not had a problem using 1 T. coconut oil in my smoothies. I use a banana, yogurt and a handful of frozen berries or cherries. I don't use ice cubes. There has only been a couple of time when the coconut oil doesn't blend well. In the summer, it's basically liquid anyway.