Pregnant

[Hulda]

Hi everybody.

I am in my sixth week of pregnancy with my second child. The first one is 5 years old and I had no idea at that time I couldn

[kareng]

Don't eat the things that bother you, especially when pregnant.

Can you eat nuts? They are packed with good fats, proteins & calories.

Add olive oil to your veggies or other foods for added calories.

Avocados

Meats - cold cuts are easy to grab

Gluten free almond milk

Fruit smoothies -Example: 2 cups frozen strawberries, 1/2 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen mango. Pull them out of freezer for 20 minutes. Blend with about 6 oz of orange juice. If you like them sour, add a little lemon juice. Change fruits & juices.

Cook a batch of brown rice & keep it in the fridge. Heat up a big spoonful and add to every meal. Or add sugar, cinnamon, raisins and almond milk.

I lost a few pounds at the beginning of my pregnancies due to all day morning sickness. My doctor said that happens to alot of people. NO need to worry unless It is more than 5-7 pounds or continues past the 3 month mark. You may just have to force yourself to eat a little more.

[Asianmom]

I know for this pregnancy (my third) I had not gained any weight at all by 18 weeks. I am 22 1/2 now and going for another appointment tomorrow. I was getting really worried as I gained a TON (before I went gluten-free) with the other two. I see a specialist (Maternal Fetal Medicine) for other issues because I am high risk, but they monitor me because I have Celiac. They assured me that just because you do not gain weight, it does not mean that your baby is not gaining weight. At 18 weeks my baby was ahead of schedule (best they can tell with ultrasound) and I go again today for another ultrasound for measurements for the baby.

Find a doctor that finds your symptoms to be real and believes you. It took me 11 years to get diagnosed and no one believed my symptoms. It was hard! Celiac is serious, and the specialists here watch the baby and you closely if you just started going gluten free or are newly diagnosed.

I did a lot of nuts and whatever I could tolerate the first 14 weeks. I was very sick this time around and lost a lot at first. By second trimester I am able to eat whatever I want (that is gluten free of course). Don't be hard on yourself. A lot of moms don't gain much or lose the first trimester. Just find an ob or specialist that can help you and monitor you. Watch out for nausea meds and make sure they are gluten free if you go on any of them.

Only eat what you can and what sounds good. I do smoothies and add protein. Is it just milk you cannot tolerate or lactose or anything with milk? A lot of people are lactose intolerant until they heal from the gluten attacks. Good luck!

My new craving...for quick protein...I get gluten free lunch meat...boar's head brands are gluten free and at my local grocery store...heat them in the microwave (since I am pregnant) and roll gluten free guacamole in them and cut them up. You get the protein form the meat and the fat from the avacado.

Peanut butter, can you do any protein shakes, hmm...I will keep thinking!

BIG HUGS!!

[tarnalberry]

Eat lots of whatever you can. I ate an awful lot of avocados during my first trimester. And had a distinct craving for a BLT (I made two, and was done with pork for the pregnancy). You can throw frozen veggies in the microwave and add some butter and sesame seeds (something I had a lot).

What sort of things do you think you want? What were you eating, while gluten free, before the pregnancy?

[sb2178]

Specific nutrients to watch include: calories, iron, folate, B12, calcium, protein, magnesium, fiber, and fluid (water).

Generally, eating dark green leafies (kale, collards, mustard green, bok choy, broccoli, spinach, etc) and fortified dairy replacements can help with that. Try milder greens if the stronger ones are too bitter. Liver also is a very good source of nutrients IF you tolerate it. Nuts and avocados are great sources of calories and good fats; how about hummus with tahini or adding sesame/flax/chia seeds to peanut butter, cereal, pancakes or other baked goods? Quinoa is pretty mild but higher in protein than rice, as is buckwheat. Sweet potatoes are another good source of nutrients that might be easy to eat.

I assume you're eating meat for iron? Cooking in cast iron can also increase iron content. A prenatal vitamin can be extra insurance.

[Hulda]

Thanks everybody for your kind replies

My main concern is that I don