I know I’ve talked a lot about what I am not eating and not doing while pregnant, but it’s not all negative. Now that I’m in the second trimester (officially 16 weeks/4 months yesterday!), my energy is back and I’m feeling fabulous. No alcohol means I never feel even slightly hung over (see, there’s a plus!) and I’m focusing on eating healthier than I ever have.
Here’s some of the things I’m focusing on to try and give Baby D the healthiest start possible:
DHA Omega 3s
More and more research is showing the importance of DHA in brain development. Researchers found that infants born to mothers with higher blood levels of DHA at delivery had advanced levels of attention spans well into their second year of life. During the first six months of life, these infants were two months ahead of those babies whose mothers had lower DHA levels.
I’m not taking supplements for DHA, though I’ve considered it. Anyone have thoughts about this? However, I am sneaking more into my diet. For example, chia seeds.
I also buy the DHA Omega 3 eggs, sprinkle walnuts on spinach salads and eat tuna fish (only once per week, as allowed during pregnancy).
Sneaking in More Fruits and Veggies
I’ve always been a fan of sneaking in nutrients. I feel there are a lot of ways to do this, whether you choose green monsters, salads, pureeing and adding to batter, omelets, chopping up veggies in marinara, etc. Lately, my favorite way is with omelets…
This 1 egg/1 egg white omelet has chopped onions, mushrooms and broccoli inside. Topped off with a little salsa. Delicious and nutritious!
Juice Plus
When I found out I was pregnant, when I wanted nothing more than bagels, I started taking Juice Plus. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but Juice Plus is a whole food supplement, meaning that it is just fruits and veggies packed into a pill. Although I prefer food for nutrition over any supplement, I wanted some ‘health insurance’ while I was struggling to eat my normal amount of daily fruits and veggies. I did some research into Juice Plus during pregnancy and was pleased with what I found. I’m still taking it now and plan to continue throughout the rest of my pregnancy.
Water… lots of water!
I’ve always known water is important, and tried to get in at least 64 oz each day, but now I’m really making sure I get in 64 as a minimum! By starting off with 16 oz in the morning, I find it sets me up for a successful hydration day. If I forget my morning water, I struggle.
Staying Active
Even though my energy is back, there are still days when I feel like I could crash at 2:00pm (like yesterday). Sometimes I’ll sneak in a cat nap, but I never use it as an excuse to call it a day. I’ve found my 3x/week wogging (about 2.25 miles each time) and my hour of yoga are helping me to stay feeling energetic and somewhat toned while I watch the scale creep up every week (I know, I’m pregnant. People like to remind me of that. But it still doesn’t make it fun to see the number on the scale steadily rise…)
Plus, research shows that staying active while pregnant can help reduce labor time, speed up recovery, and help you get back in to shape more quickly after baby comes. You had me at reduced labor time 😉
Rubbing the Belly
So I’ve heard that stretch marks are hereditary, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do everything I can to prevent them. Along with gaining weight slowly and steadily throughout pregnancy and staying hydrated, I’ve been rubbing my belly down with Bio Oil after every shower. Between showers, I’m using Palmer’s Organic Cocoa Butter Lotion. Oh, and keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
Preparing the Family
In the meantime, I’m trying to help our first baby (the furry one) understand that she won’t be the queen of the castle come September. She’s rebelling by messing with the laundry…
Whud-yah mean I won’t be the only baby anymore?
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
I love this post – very informative (even for people without a bun in the oven, ha)! Koda is so cute – and I could imagine she’s in for a rude awakening in a few months 🙂
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Awww, you are doing so many wonderful things!!! Your little one will benefit so much from your love and care. 🙂
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
I try to sneak in veggies too. I add so many different vegetables to chili its barely chili at all!!
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
You are already doing so much better than I did when I was preggo!!! Definitely keep up being active! it makes a HUGE difference when it comes to labor and getting your old body back! And plus you will feel better during your pregnancy too!! And even though stretch marks are hereditary, I definitely believe in keeping it lubed up! I also put lanolin cream on my belly, its very gooey but it works! And by keeping active and eating healthy you shouldn’t put too much weight on at one time which is usually when stretch marks appear!
Karlee @olivewineandfood says
aw your dog is so cute! I already worry about when i have kids how my dog will deal with it.
Brittney says
Great list of healthy habits for the baby! Yeah, I actually am taking Fish Oil Omega 3 supplements along with pre-natal vitamins. When I saw my doctor a couple months ago and told her I was going to try to get pregnant, she recommended the Fish Oil supplements to me. I don’t take them every day, usually about 3-4 times a week and if I actually eat fish, I definitely don’t take one.
Melissa says
The pic of Koda made me laugh out loud! Cute, bud bad girl! 😉 What section of the grocery do you find chia seeds in? I keep looking for them, but can’t find them. The only place I’ve seen them is at the bulk section of Whole Foods by spices, but the bin was empty when I was there a couple weeks ago. So I’ve been looking for a container at my regular grocery and cannot find them.
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
Sounds like you are doing some great things for you AND your baby! Sneaking in veggies and foods with awesome nutrients (like chia seeds) seem like great ideas. Your puppy is so cute – I hear that a lot of dogs are super sweet and protective of babies when they arrive 🙂
Kelli H says
I love Koda! She’s SO cute! Now every time I see a Vizsla when I’m out walking I think of her.
jen @ taste life says
I love the picture of your dog on the laundry. I’m sure baby and doggie will get along just fine 🙂
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
I’m very interested in Juice Plus as well. I know I eat way more veggies and fruits than the average person, but I’m still off on a few days (i.e. weekends) and it wouldn’t hurt to have these for times like those.
John J. says
You are doing such a wonderful job of taking care of yourself and giving Baby D every opportunity for a running (wogging) start in life. As always, you are inspirational!
Sherry says
Not only is Baby D benefiting from your healthy life style–so are you and David! If stretch marks are hereditary, you should not have a one!
Shawnee says
Oh dogs. 🙂 I am not looking forward to the day I have to train my mutt that she is no longer number one. It will be rough. Keep up the good work mamma!
Roz says
You are a MODEL pregnant Mama-to-be!!!! AWWW…KODA!!!! Take care of you and Baby D!!!
Baking Serendipity says
Awesome post! And congrats 🙂 You are so responsible!
Pure2raw Twins says
Great ideas! Glad you are feeling better and getting your energy back 🙂
Tina says
You know I believe fitness during pregnancy helps labor. Both mine were quite fast!
peacebeme says
I’ve never been pregnant, but BioOil is wonderful for any type of scarring!
Jane Preston says
You are a model mom-to-be! Here is some info I found on the Omega 3 supplements from Dr. Mitra Ray and what she drinks every morning (even after her pregnancies. ” I take two fish-oil supplements at least every other day. Brands that are good are Spectrum and Nordic Naturals.
At least 4-5 times a week, I make a shake that has:
• 1 serving of Juice Plus+ Complete®
• 1 serving of protein powder (I use a variety of sources for protein powders like high-quality, triple-filtered whey, rice protein, and egg protein)
• ½ tsp. of organic golden flaxseeds
• ½ tsp. of soy-lecithin (I keep a bag in the freezer with soy-lecithin and organic golden flax seeds pre-combined in 1:1 parts)
• 2-3 servings of fruit (1/2 cup blueberries, pineapple with core, etc.)
• 1 tablespoon of organic, cold high-lignan flaxseed oil
• Add filtered water to desired consistency
• Mix thoroughly in a blender or Vita-mixer
Eat at least 5 vegetables a day, preferably raw, in a salad.
If you want the whole article, just E-mail me and I’ll send it! Take care! JP
BabyQ says
Super informative post. The right kind of bagels are great. Eating oatmeal, wheat or barley cereal for breakfast or whole grain pasta for dinner will provide vitamins like folic acid to prevent birth defects.
Amiya Foster says
Very informative post. Eating healthy food during pregnancy, it’s good for baby and mom. You can include your food egg, vegetables and dairy products.
Pieter says
It’s nice to see how you take care of yourself and your unborn baby. It’s very inspiring!