Oh boyyy, am I glad that I documented my pregnancy and healthy eating because it makes this big question easy and straightforward to answer.

 What did I eat during pregnancy?

Some women ask if I was miserable because I was “so disciplined” but friends, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I ate the same way I did before getting pregnant…I just increased my calories on what I ate! It truly wasn’t some massive crazy change for me. It was not super restrictive but it was clean and healthy. Eating clean does not mean I hated everything I ate…it also doesn’t mean it is restrictive. Genuinely, I enjoyed all my food options, it was what I was used to for years prior to my pregnancy! I’m going to start off by sharing a typical day in the pregnant life of Rachel! First off, I would just like to say that the first trimester, I was so darn sick that I ate whatever would stay down. I’m talking puking from 5 in the morning to almost 10 at night. The sickness was brutal so first trimester I ate mostly CARBS. No regrets there. It was the only thing that sounded appealing and I was most concerned with keeping food down to support the growing babies inside!!

These examples are from when I was well into my second trimester

Day 1

Breakfast: Kodiac Cakes topped with lite syrup and strawberries

Snack: Hummus with carrots

Lunch: Salad from Panera and sprouted grain roll

Snack: Apple and protein bar

Dinner: Clean eating nachos

Craving: Grapes with cool whip

Day 2

Breakfast: Whole wheat bagel topped with peanut butter and banana

Snack: String cheese

Lunch: Smoothie King smoothie

fun fact about smoothie king: I always ask for half the turbinado when I order my smoothies! Turbinado is Smoothie King’s fancy word for SUGAR. That saved me from overdoing it on the sugar!

Snack: Rice cakes topped with hummus

Dinner: Salmon with a side of veggies (usually asparagus)

Craving: halo top & graham cracker sandwich

Day 3:

Breakfast: Oatmeal topped with peanut butter

Snack 1: yogurt

Lunch: Panera’s you pick 2: Soup and Salad (with the sprouted grain roll as my side)

Snack 2: Sliced avocado topped with a little salt and cayenne pepper

Dinner: Spaghetti squash topped with ground turkey and marinara sauce

Craving: Lenny and Larry’s cookie

 

Did I go through the drive-thru at Mcdonalds and get Big Macs every day? No! But I had treats and I ate out, quite a bit. I went to Panera, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chik Fil A, and Smoothie King consistently- I just made healthier choices when I went to these places. After seeing some of my day to day examples I listed above, what is your opinion? Does it seem restrictive to you or doable? I would love to know your feedback because, to me, it seems pretty manageable but maybe that’s because I was accustomed to the clean eating before my pregnancy! Let me know!

Disclaimer: I have my degree in nutrition but I am just sharing what I did for my personal situation. These are opinions and beliefs formed by me. If you have questions, make sure to consult with your doctor before starting a new eating regimen!

Also, if you have not already, visit my Instagram @livelygirlfitness because I documented my whole twin pregnancy on there! I talk about the highs and lows. I share a lot of what I ate and how to control cravings. Take a look for yourself! All the photos shared above are from my Instagram page during that time!

 

Happy Thursday and stay lively!