Staying Healthy During 2nd Trimester

Photo Credit: Aninas Recipes

Since Day 1 baby has had me craving salt, bread, butter, crackers, cheese, and bagels which I gladly indulged in with the thought, "Hey, at least it's not sugar and cookies!"

 Maybe I should have paid more attention in my college health class or maybe done more research when I found out I was pregnant. The cravings baby gave me are not healthy alternatives to sugar because they are LOADED with carbs! My glucose test is coming up next week and so I asked my doctor what I could do to prepare and give myself a better chance of passing.

The answer: Don't overdo the carbs.

Well that's nice. More so than passing the test, I really want me and baby to be healthy. For the past 30 days (and hopefully beyond) I've put myself on a detailed meal plan to ensure I'm eating healthy options at each meal and when I need a snack without overdoing it on the carbs me and baby so desperately want.

Below are some healthy options I have added into my diet to help baby and me get the nutrients we need. Having a meal plan has really helped because I can decide ahead of time what I will eat when I get hungry, rather than just going for the easiest option in the moment.

Toasted Whole Wheat Bagel with Peanut Butter, Honey & Almonds

Breakfast
* Whole Wheat Cereal with sliced bananas
* Toasted Whole Wheat Bagel with Peanut Butter, Honey & Almonds
* Oatmeal with frozen berries & walnuts
* Smoothies (I am in love with these ones from Greatist.com because they are SO simple)
* Scrambled Eggs with Whole Wheat Toast & Almond Milk

Cucumber Wrap
Lunch
* Cucumber Wrap
  • Homemade Whole Wheat Tortilla
  • Chive & Onion Cream Cheese
  • Sliced Cucumber
  • Sliced Avocado
  • Chopped Green Onions
  • Cilantro
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Sliced Colby Jack Cheese
* Chef Salad

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Cheddar cheese, cubed
  • Hard boiled egg, sliced
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Ham, diced
  • Green onions, sliced
  • Croutons 




Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich
Dinner
* Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich
  • Toasted Whole Wheat bread
  • Mayonnaise and Mustard
  • Grilled Chicken and Bacon
  • Avocado, Tomato, Mushroom, and Cheese
* Crunchy Cabbage Salad
     Salad
  • 1/2 a head of cabbage
  • 3 Chicken breasts, cooked & cut up
  • 1 pkg. chicken flavor ramen noodles, raw & crumbled
     Dressing
  • Chicken flavor from noodles
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 oz. sliced almonds
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 2 TBS sesame seeds
  • 1 TBS sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 TBS white vinegar
     Shake and pour over salad. Do not drown the salad. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

* Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
* Baked Ham & Pineapple from "Cooking for Two" by Mormon Pantry

  • 4 thick slices of ham
  • 4 pineapple rings
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • pineapple juice
     Place ham slices in an even layer in a casserole dish, layer with pineapple slices and sprinkle with brown sugar and pineapple juice. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 

No Bake Granola Energy Bites
Snacks
* Raisins
* Yogurt with Almonds/Walnuts, Bananas & Flax Seed
* Almonds
* Almond Milk
* Graham Crackers with Peanut Butter
* Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
* Hard boiled egg
* No Bake Granola Energy Bites
* Applesauce with Cinnamon & Almonds
* Cheese Cubes & Grapes
* Veggies & Dip
* Whole Wheat Crackers with Cheese Cubes
* Cottage Cheese with fruit

The trick, I've learned, is to make sure I have enough of these snacks laying around the house so that there is always something that sounds appetizing and is also good for me and my baby.

The real key, though, is to make sure you practice moderation in all things. Too much of anything isn't good for you so make sure you introduce a variety of options into your diet and substitute healthier options all along the way.

Just say "no" to that cookie! Or replace it with a Granola Energy Bite if you're weak-willed like me :)

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