Picky Eater Needs Protein

887 Views 20 Replies 16 Participants Last post by jenak, Apr 19, 2009

Friendlee

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2009

I'm not normally a picky eater - but since this pregnancy I do not want cheese, meat, nuts, yogurt or milk. Unfortunately, these are some easy sources of protein and I just received some test results that indicate I am just not getting enough protein.

Today I made a vanilla Spirutein shake with orange juice. It was a little chalky and I didn't love it...but better than eating some cheese in my opinion. Is Spirutein even safe? Does anyone else make Spirutein shakes and maybe have a tastier recipe?

Before pregnancy I used to make one with apple juice, blueberries, a banana, ground flax, psyllium, etc. Very healthy...but I can't stomach the kitchen for that long. I gotta make it really quickly!

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completebeginnings

· #2 · Apr 9, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Friendlee

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I'm not normally a picky eater - but since this pregnancy I do not want cheese, meat, nuts, yogurt or milk. Unfortunately, these are some easy sources of protein and I just received some test results that indicate I am just not getting enough protein.

Today I made a vanilla Spirutein shake with orange juice. It was a little chalky and I didn't love it...but better than eating some cheese in my opinion. Is Spirutein even safe? Does anyone else make Spirutein shakes and maybe have a tastier recipe?

Before pregnancy I used to make one with apple juice, blueberries, a banana, ground flax, psyllium, etc. Very healthy...but I can't stomach the kitchen for that long. I gotta make it really quickly!

I have done ok with jerky, pistachios and I eat eggs if someone makes them for me. Sorry good luck. It is really important 60-100 grams a day will help keep you low risk, grow a healthy baby, keep swelling down, highly decrease your chances of preeclampsia and liver issues and keep your bag of water strong so it doesn't break early. Also high protein slim fast(I know not the healthiest) but I can always keep it down.

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zjande

· #3 · Apr 9, 2009

What about eggs & avocados? Or chips dipped in beans? You could make beans (I like pintos) with sour cream or salsa mixed in. OR, how about eggs with beans & avocado on top??

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2

Friendlee

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 9, 2009

Eggs are fine...if someone else makes them. (Hubby works full time and in grad school - he barely has time to eat). One week he made them on the weekend ahead of time so I could just scoop some and heat it up...bad idea, yuck.

Do avocados have protein? I could totally do avocadoes! Or was that just to compliment the eggs?

I wrote off beans because they always seem to need too much prep...but pintos with just salsa and sour cream....maybe. Gawd, even throwing that together sounds like such a fete. I should be feeling better at 15 weeks. Sheesh. I'm gonna see if hubby can throw together the bean thing.

Thank you guys

MeredithK

· #5 · Apr 9, 2009

Gosh...I can so relate to your problem! I'm a picky eater to start with, but this pregnancy has been impossible as far as food goes. I avoid going to eat at other people's houses!

Peanut butter has been a life saver for me. When I just need a boost, I'll have some either on bread or an apple. Or if I get desperate, right out of the jar!

What about hard boiled eggs? I know making regular eggs grosses you out, but maybe having some hard boiled ones available?

Since I don't eat read meat of any sort and chicken is hard for me to cook, I have had some of the chicken in a can. It's fast and easy to make. You can make chicken salad, or just make it like you would tuna.

Hopefully you'll find some stuff that will work for you. Maybe I'll even get some ideas for this problem!

Therese's Mommy

· #6 · Apr 9, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Friendlee

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Do avocados have protein? I could totally do avocadoes! Or was that just to compliment the eggs?

No, avocados don't have much in the way of protein, only 3 grams per cup. So, you would have to eat alot to get a good amt of protein and each cup has 22 grams of fat.

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zjande

· #7 · Apr 9, 2009

I got the good fat confused, I was thinking avocados were full of protein but they're actually full of "good fat". Oops. Well, they are delicious on top of eggs! `

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threadbey

· #8 · Apr 9, 2009

Tofu?

Friendlee

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 9, 2009

Meredith: I can do a little peanut butter here and there...on an apple like you. I don't love it. I always enjoy the apply way more than the peanut butter. I wish I weren't so picky right now!!! Argh!

I just read up on avocados...the first sentence said,
"The plural of avocado is avocados NOT avocadoes".
Whoops! I misspelled it above!

)

Anyway, avocados seem to be GREAT pregnancy food especially for those of us throwing up. Extra B6 in them, potassium which I was low in last time I was tested due to the puking, lots of folate...I hadn't been considering them. Protein or not, I'm gonna get some. Er, uh, have my husband get some. I can handle peeling.

He made me the beans/salsa/sour cream combo. I could only eat a very little bit and had to have tortilla chips with it...but not bad! Thank you for that idea!

I heard to stay away from soy/tofu. But I've also read that it's a superfood and have seen it suggested for pregnancy. I avoided it simply because of my confusion. Although, I must admit we do not do any tofu usually and I don't know any easy and quick grab-and-go ways to prepare it. I dislike soymilk...but I have had a little almond milk here and there, I guess there's a little protein in that. But I don't drink it a lot.

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joyakshi

· #10 · Apr 9, 2009

I have the same problem. Picky eater to begin with and vegetarian/pescatarian and had 7 weeks of nausea. Now I have the flu.
The foods I used to live on I can't tolerate now - cheese, pasta, even water. I had a hard time with peanut butter until a week or so ago and I usually love it.
I made some shrimp salad with avocado and that got me through the last week. Soup and saltines have got me through the past few days.
Plus there's so much we're not supposed to eat that I love - like blue cheese.
I can't wait to get some nutritional advice from my midwife, and get tested for anemia and low protein.
I also lived on Aria protein shakes and balance bars for a few weeks. Aria has 400 mcg of folic acid which is great b/c I can't take a prenatal still.
Granola/cereal is good before bed and at 6AM for me to keep the gagging from hunger at bay.
Now I can eat eng muff's with peanut butter again which is good in protein. And yogurt with walnuts is good if you can handle the dairy.
Vitamin water has been great for me since regular water turns my stomach, and I get hypoglycemic if I drink juice or soda (I crash after the sugar high or am making too much insulin or something).
I had salmon dinner with broccoli last weekend - that was amazing after not eating a real meal for 7 weeks.

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mommam

· #11 · Apr 13, 2009

Mushrooms have a surprisingly high amount of protein (and with avocado make a complete protein, according to a raw vegan acquiantance) and so do lentils and green peas - just toss some peas into rice; ooh, fried rice, lots of little bits o' things that might not be noticed by a preggo tummy but be healthy?

I worried about this my first tri because I felt just like you, and eventually just gave up and ate whatever I could stomach, even if it was just white pasta with butter.

Seafood is still high on my list as my taste for meat (except bacon) has not reemerged, though it doesn;t make me nauseaous any more. I could eat crab every day if I could afford it: spider rolls, king crab legs with butter, crab louis salad, etc.

astar326

· #12 · Apr 13, 2009

i can relate. i was a vegitarian for many years and have reverted back to my veg. roots b/c i don't like the smell/texture/taste of meat. i have been eating a lot of hummus (on crackers or carrots). it's made from chickpeas so good source of protein and i buy it already prepared at the store so it's easy to eat. it's not a high protein snack, but there is a gram of protein per 2 tbsp. i also use a rice protein powder that i add to rice milk.

Friendlee

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 13, 2009

Momman: Crab Louie salad....drool....oh man I could so go for that right now. Currently living in the midwest and unfotunately that is not an option. But now I can't get it out of my mind!!!

firewoman

· #14 · Apr 13, 2009

I am having a similar problem although your aversion sounds worse to me. I can eat yogurt and what I have been doing is adding to scoopfuls of eggwhite protein to the plain yogurt with organic frozen berries and blend it with a stick blender. I was concerned about an egg allergy in the baby during my last pregnancy so I consulted my nutritionist and she said it really shouldn't be an issue. My daughter has no problems with eggs so I have gone back to that smoothie again. It is relatively low in calories and with the 1 cup of yogurt has 60 grams of protein. I don't have that everyday, but on a day when I'm not feeling any kind of meat or good source of protein, it makes me feel better about my protein intake. The brand I use is Jay Robb. I buy the vanilla flavor.

Pookietooth

· #15 · Apr 14, 2009

What about egg salad sandwiches? If you boil a bunch of eggs in advance, you can just chop them up and add mayo, and put it on some bread. Also, what about peanut butter? Or is it too nut like? Can you disguise the protein? I find I can eat meat if it's cut up small and mixed in with lots of veggies. Or on a salad with lots of dressing.

Pookietooth

· #16 · Apr 14, 2009

You could buy canned beans, so you can just eat them to be lazy. Refried, baked, chili, any seasoning?

Bromache

· #17 · Apr 16, 2009

Thanks for the ideas here! I don't eat meat, but always seem to crave it when pregnant. I'd really rather get my protein in other ways, though, so I appreciate new ideas.

sunnygir1

· #18 · Apr 17, 2009

I eat hot cereal for breakfast with my 2yo, rice or oats, and I add tahini or raw almond butter to my cereal along with a sweetener, usually agave nectar. The nut/seed butter adds some protein without too much fuss and is not super noticeable.

I have some rice protein powder I thought I could use in smoothies if I needed it, but I haven't so far. Putting yogurt in your shakes could definitely help. yogurt and fruit blended is quick and yummy.

There is some concern about soy having pre-estrogen compounds in it. I stick to traditional soy foods (tofu, tempeh, miso, tamari) and avoid the new processed soy foods (soy milk, meat alternatives, veggie burgers, tvp). HTH

I eat a lot of black bean or lentil soup. If you can't bring yourself to cook it, you could get canned soups with legumes in them.

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kismetbaby

· #19 · Apr 17, 2009

Crashing from Sept DDC. ..all PP are good suggestions. I am a vegetarian and even now that the food aversions have passed, I still struggle to get enough protein. One thing no one mentioned is edemame. Tastes great and has a lot of protein. . .I buy them frozen in the shell then just boil them for five minutes and you're done. They make a great snack and are very mild tasting so they may not gag you

Lentils are one of the highest protein beans and also very quick to cook (or just buy them canned or Trader Joe's has them in the cold veg section pre-cooked and in a vaccum sealed bag). They are good in soups and in salads. Beans and rice is always a good complete protein.

I have been eating a lot of eggs (although now I can cook them so its easier). Another easy one is just plain tofu. . .of course not many people like it like this, but I just slice a piece off and eat it cold with soy sauce.

Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are another source of protein. And quinoa is a compete protein grain that is quick to cook and can be used in place of couscous or rice.

:

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anchita

· #20 · Apr 18, 2009

Just wanted to add another idea. I'm not a peanut-butter or roasted-peanut fan, but I love boiled and salted peanuts! I usually pressure cook them after soaking them for half an hour, but I'm guessing you could just boil them with water in any ol' pot. They are a great snack with a good amount of protein, although with fat too. This and edmame (and miso soup) are some of my faves right now...

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