"Obsessive-compulsive" eating habits

[BlessedMommy]

Hey ladies, I was wondering if any of you are afflicted with the same problem that I am, namely watching obsessively every gram of protein that goes past your tongue, stressing about every green veggie that you didn't eat, worrying about this, that and the other thing. It got worse when I enrolled in a childbirth class that required a food log.

I mean, the food requirements were unrealistic for me, because the whole program was tailored toward meat eaters and I'm a vegetarian. If I try to consume all the grams, etc. on the list, I end up with indigestion.

So what have you ladies done to chill out and enjoy your pregnancy more instead of sitting down and joylessly eating foods because you HAVE to, not because you WANT to?

[jamma]

I gotta be honest, I can't relate at all! (As I sit here eating a frozen yogurt cone!!)

I don't really limit anything that I wouldn't have limited before. I'm a bit more careful with chocolate, but only because I'm already allergic to it.

Just relax. As long as you aren't doing anything that is going to directly harm your baby, you're probably fine! This is the only time you get to eat while having the excuse of eating for two! :wink:

[Beck]

I don't really stress either. I know what I should eat, I know what I shouldn't eat (or drink) and run with it. Like Jamie said, just don't consume anything that will harm the baby and you'll be fine!

[JoyLynn]

Any food God made is good for you. He wants us to enjoy eating and not stress about it, or ANYTHING. :D He also made our bodies resilient and self cleaning for a reason. I bet stress itself is more likely to have an adverse effect on a baby. Eat, be anxious for nothing, and enjoy life because God has good plans for your future. That's a wonderful lesson to teach our kids.

Joy [welcomewave]

[Beck]

Well said, Joy. :D

[justmeNmine]

I never worried about things during my pregnancy (well not health things or childbirth) I just reminded myself constantly that carrying a child and giving birth were what I was made to do. I generally eat pretty healthy though I tend to snack a bit much at night- If most everything in your house is pretty healthy, you can eat what you want, when you want. My son was born 5 weeks early, 5 lbs. 13 oz. and my daughter was born on time, 7 lbs. 11 oz. BTW, they attributed my son's early birth to stress - my water broke and I had to be induced.

[ktmartin]

If you are taking a prenatal vitamin that has all the recommended nutrients then that is a good start. I know personally it was very difficult to eat everything they wanted me to and would try to eat as healthy as possible but would also try to get as much exercise (usually walking) and rest to relieve stress which is not good for the baby.

[BlessedMommy]

I do take a prenatal vitamin, at least semi-faithfully. So that should help. I'm going on vacation for two weeks and not required to turn in a food log, while I'm gone. So, woohoo! It'll really help ease up on that, "Did I eat enough grams of this, did I avoid enough grams of that?" nonsense.

Sometimes I have! That food log thing you are having to do sounds FULL ON!

Last night I got paranoid because I didn't have a piece of fruit during the day as the kids got into the apples and bit holes in them all (LOL) but I found an avocado and ate that, so I felt appeased.

I don't necesarily worry about the content *of course if it is harmful I don't eat it* as long as I know I have eaten a decent amount of vegetables at dinner and a couple of pieces of fruit in the day then it's all on with chocolate or cake or whatever I please.

I guess it's important to remember in our Mother's days they didn't have all this fangled information about listeria, or almost over advice on EVERYTHING and we all turned out okay. Sometimes I have felt a lot of the advice that is being handed out - not the sensible stuff like eating well and resting etc... but other stuff only serves to make a mother MORE paranoid.

[Beck]

I guess it's important to remember in our Mother's days they didn't have all this fangled information about listeria, or almost over advice on EVERYTHING and we all turned out okay.
That is so true (yet so hard to remember!). Granted, some things have been discovered to help avoid certain things like allergies, asthma, etc, but we all turned out just fine!

Now, what would we do without ultrasounds?? I've heard so many people (mainly 60 years old +) talk about how they didn't even have ultrasounds when they were pregnant. Can you imagine???

Anyway, I agree with Aussie_Mum. :D

[BlessedMommy]

Actually my husband and I are not having an ultrasound in our pregnancy. But I'm thankful that they exist in case we need one for medical reasons!

Expectantmommy

I don't know how you have the self restraint not to have an U/S... (I don't mean that in a negative sense either, it's a compliment) - I understand why people DONT want them, particularly the nucal fold scanning (for downs) which I refused... my Dr is a Christian and I told him I would never terminate!! But my Dr does U/S at every visit and I could NEVER say no, I just want to see my baby!!!

I also know of mothers who eat EVERYTHING, and i mean stuff that is on the no no list and say "I am trusting God, I am not having my pregnancy in fear!" I completely support them, but I would be too chicken to do that myself in respects to some THINGS....