Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I purchased the book "What the eat when your expecting"  It is very
    informative and helpful.   Can be found at any bookstore.  I also eat
    every 3 hours or so, mostly because I feel better when I have eaten. 
    Fruit is a good choice, if you like it.  Also I bought small boxes of
    raisins to bring to work, lots of iron.  This week I bought small cans
    of lite fruit, different varieties, with a flip top can, so they are
    convenient for work as well.  My favorite snack is Dole fruit and juice 
    bars, they are low in calories and very refreshing.  I have always had 
    a weight problem and so I am very surprised that I do not seem to have
    an appetite for "junk food", which I usually do.  I am hoping this will
    last for a while.
    
    Hope these ideas help.

    I am expecting my second in August.  With my first, I could eat a lot
    too.  What we did was I would be good all week.  I would eat small
    meals frequently.  On Thursdays it was "treat night"  we went out and
    got Ice Cream.  I got a banana split everytime!  
    
    As far as snacks, fresh fruits, graham crackers, cheez-its.  
    
    Thirty pounds is good.  I asked my doctor what he wants to see even for
    the second and they all recommend 25-35!  I gained 36 with my first.  I
    was thin so it looked like more.
    
    I hope this helps.
    
    
    Denise
    

    The book "What to Expect While You're Expecting" (by the same people I
    think who did "What to Eat While..." has a fairly long section on
    eating also.  Both offer a 'Best Odds' diet that does give lots of good
    advice and specifics on what is good and what is bad.  However, I think
    the books go a little overboard at times: never have anything with
    processed sugar for the entire pregnancy (I understand this if you have
    diabetes, but for everyone else??), carry wheat-germ in your
    purse at all times, etc.  Who is really that good?
    
    So while I haven't followed their instructions to the letter, I did
    learn alot by reading the books and have made a real effort in having a
    high protein, high carbohydrate diet (mostly!)  Snacks with protein in
    them (cheese, milk, etc.) I think are also good in addition to fruit.
    
    What does your Dr. say?  Mine has seemed fairly unconcerned -- eat
    whatever you like he told me once -- as long as I'm steadily gaining (I
    lost steadily till week 15 so that may be one reason) and the baby
    seems to be growing.

    I don't know about you, Kate but while I was expecting both my kids I
    would have a terrible problem if I ate anything too binding. I would
    also have the opposite problem if I ate too much fruit.
    
    During my hungry horror days I'd try (...I said try) to drink lots of
    water to fill me up. I couldn't drink it too quickly and it couldn't
    be too cold or I'd get sick but a sip at a time worked well and the
    doctor told me to drink gallons and gallons (seemed like it) every day.
    
    I'm glad the nausea's over for you. I sympathize with you. I went a
    total of six weeks where the nausea didn't let up for a second. Not
    one blasted second. I continued to be nauseous for the rest of that
    pregnancy, off and on. I would feel ill until my stomach was really
    full. And if I ate too much, well I'd be nauseous from that too.
    
    My mother had 5 of us and never had nausea. My ex-brother-in-law (I'm
    happy to put the "ex" in there) told me that nausea was all in my head
    and I was suffering stress due to anticipation of the child. I got no
    understanding so I thought I'd give you some.
    
    Best Regards,
    Kate II

    Try fruit smoothies when you're body is crying for food but there's
    just no room in there.
    
    I made them in the blender with yogurt or skim milk, banana, some wheat
    germ, and my choice of : strawberries, OJ concentrate, coconut, etc. 
    With whole wheat crackers, that's a good light meal.
    
    ALSO:  My health plan paid for a visit with a dietician if referred by
    the OB-GYN.  It was worth it!!  You can get an appt by calling your
    hospital dietetics department.  The dietician will take your
    preferences, allergies, doctor's advice under consideration, set a
    calories/day goal, and make a personalized diet.  You should keep a
    record of your food intake for 5 days prior to the appointment so the
    dietician can spot weaknesses.  
    
    Her recommendations to me were:  Increase milk intake to 5 cups/day,
    maintain carbohydrate intake, add 2 fruit portions, and I'd be fine.  I
    built up to this and had a low, satisfactory weight gain, good energy
    level, and a very healthy outcome for both of us.
    
    She recommended I keep this up while lactating and cut back in several
    categories when I weaned.
    
    Laura

    Here's what I did, because I do agree the cafs in these buildings can
    be a problem!
    
    One of my favorite lunches was a whole grain bread, oatmeal or wheat
    usually, with lettuce, tomatoe and cheese of some kind, I would add
    sliced turkey if I was starving that day, then I'd slide over to the
    hot section and get a side order of whatever the veggie was, (I like
    almost every veggie) a glass of skim milk, we Must remember to drink
    what seems like gallons of milk each day, sometime it might be frozen
    yogurt or pudding as desert (more milk) and/or a fruit of apple of
    banana.  In between meals I do cranapple juice in a big cup of ice.
    
    Lunch a la Tobins can be difficult at best!!