Eating for ate.
October 24, 2005 9:31 AM Subscribe
What can/will my newly-pregnant, incredibly-picky, wife eat? (there are complications to this question)
She won't eat eggs that are in any way detectable (texture or flavour...in a cake would be fine, for example). She won't eat tomatoes. She won't eat onion or garlic if it's detectable. Given the choice, she'd exist without eating green veggies or fruit in any way...there are very few fruits she will eat.
She's not allowed deli meat, things rich in Vitamin A (liver, orange cauliflower, etc), seafood, soft cheeses, pate's or meat spreads...
SO, we need to create a meal plan of some sort with meals that she can eat that she'll enjoy and will be safe for her and the baby, and that she won't get too tired of. She tends to eat pretty crappy in general, and I have to nag her about veggies. Ideally, the meals would be simple and quick to prepare, because time is always at a premium for us (I work a >fulltime job and have side projects that I am trying to build up to supplement our income, she works fulltime right now, but I don't know how long that will last).
If we're eating the same meal, I can't eat dairy products.
Help?
She won't eat eggs that are in any way detectable (texture or flavour...in a cake would be fine, for example). She won't eat tomatoes. She won't eat onion or garlic if it's detectable. Given the choice, she'd exist without eating green veggies or fruit in any way...there are very few fruits she will eat.
She's not allowed deli meat, things rich in Vitamin A (liver, orange cauliflower, etc), seafood, soft cheeses, pate's or meat spreads...
SO, we need to create a meal plan of some sort with meals that she can eat that she'll enjoy and will be safe for her and the baby, and that she won't get too tired of. She tends to eat pretty crappy in general, and I have to nag her about veggies. Ideally, the meals would be simple and quick to prepare, because time is always at a premium for us (I work a >fulltime job and have side projects that I am trying to build up to supplement our income, she works fulltime right now, but I don't know how long that will last).
If we're eating the same meal, I can't eat dairy products.
Help?
How about ... Meat loaf, rice, green beans, tapioca pudding.
posted by Alt F4 at 9:48 AM on October 24, 2005
posted by Alt F4 at 9:48 AM on October 24, 2005
Buy a steamer. My carnivore hubby has learned to love steamed broccoli-and other veggies are really good that way too.
Also, you can get a juicer-that might make things more palatable. But if so make sure she eats enough fiber. Trust me on that one.
Also, soups and stews, perhaps?
If all else fails you may want to simply consult a dietician.
posted by konolia at 9:49 AM on October 24, 2005
Also, you can get a juicer-that might make things more palatable. But if so make sure she eats enough fiber. Trust me on that one.
Also, soups and stews, perhaps?
If all else fails you may want to simply consult a dietician.
posted by konolia at 9:49 AM on October 24, 2005
Do stir fries with just the meat and rice/noodles. I dont like eggs tomoatoes, onions, or veggies either. Porkchops (coated and shake and bake, yummy) with rice. Italian sausage...Roast chicken with stuffing..sushi..chinese food (ok, that's broad, but most restaurant chinese food would seem to fit)..
She's taking a prenatal multi-vitamin, I hope. Double-up on the folate if she's skipping the veggies.
posted by duck at 9:56 AM on October 24, 2005
She's taking a prenatal multi-vitamin, I hope. Double-up on the folate if she's skipping the veggies.
posted by duck at 9:56 AM on October 24, 2005
You're a better man than I; my question in your circumstances would be about divorce lawyers, not diet plans.
But, speaking of professionals, is hiring a dietician out of the question? I would imagine that they deal all the time with people who have medical constraints and problems finding meals that work within their desires.
On the "butch up" side, is your wife amiable to tolerating some things even if she doesn't like them for the sake of your child? I think the "hold your nose and just eat it" attitude is one we only hold kids to but some adults need to accept it as well, for their own comfort if not also their long term health. For example, the fruits and veggies thing sets off my "constipation" alarm, particularly for a pregnant woman. She may not care for apples but choking them down is likely a shorter misery than having the piles.
I met someone who decided he didn't get enough veggies and his solution was V8. In the morning he pops a can and chugs it as fast as possible since he hates the taste. It's a 30 second misery but it provides something he's not able to get himself to accomplish any other way.
By the way, is it -soft- cheeses or active culture cheeses? If she really wants softer cheese I imagine things like cheddar, provelone or the more processed stuff would be fine since it's got no active bacteria.
bonheur reminds me of something else - I know several pickey eaters who became much less pickey when they discovered that stuff they thought they hated was prepared in a lot of ways DIFFERENT from how their parents prepared it and enjoyable to them in some of those ways. Perhaps you can investigate those avenues.
posted by phearlez at 9:56 AM on October 24, 2005
But, speaking of professionals, is hiring a dietician out of the question? I would imagine that they deal all the time with people who have medical constraints and problems finding meals that work within their desires.
On the "butch up" side, is your wife amiable to tolerating some things even if she doesn't like them for the sake of your child? I think the "hold your nose and just eat it" attitude is one we only hold kids to but some adults need to accept it as well, for their own comfort if not also their long term health. For example, the fruits and veggies thing sets off my "constipation" alarm, particularly for a pregnant woman. She may not care for apples but choking them down is likely a shorter misery than having the piles.
I met someone who decided he didn't get enough veggies and his solution was V8. In the morning he pops a can and chugs it as fast as possible since he hates the taste. It's a 30 second misery but it provides something he's not able to get himself to accomplish any other way.
By the way, is it -soft- cheeses or active culture cheeses? If she really wants softer cheese I imagine things like cheddar, provelone or the more processed stuff would be fine since it's got no active bacteria.
bonheur reminds me of something else - I know several pickey eaters who became much less pickey when they discovered that stuff they thought they hated was prepared in a lot of ways DIFFERENT from how their parents prepared it and enjoyable to them in some of those ways. Perhaps you can investigate those avenues.
posted by phearlez at 9:56 AM on October 24, 2005
Pregnancy is a time when the moms of this world often change their intake habits. They stop smoking. They lay off the booze.
At the very least, your wife can give vegetables and fruit a try. Even if she hates every bite, it'll be much better for the Kickstart offspring than lots and lots of meatloaf.
And, who knows? Cravings change. Maybe she'll start requesting brussel sprouts at 2 a.m.
posted by baltimore at 10:04 AM on October 24, 2005
At the very least, your wife can give vegetables and fruit a try. Even if she hates every bite, it'll be much better for the Kickstart offspring than lots and lots of meatloaf.
And, who knows? Cravings change. Maybe she'll start requesting brussel sprouts at 2 a.m.
posted by baltimore at 10:04 AM on October 24, 2005
I recommend mixing a bunch of veggies and spices (that she likes) into a paste - use it with pizza sauce, a dip for crackers or chips, a sauce for chicken, on toast, a condiment on burgers, etc. The veggies will be unrecognizable and the taste should be pretty innocculus.
You can also hide a lot of stuff in salad dressing (again, ground up).
Candied fruit may not be too bad. Stock up on the fruit she will eat.
A lady I work with had to stop eating junk food while pregnant because it kept making her sick, and she actually starting craving foods she would normally never eat. Just keep trying new things in small doses, something may stick.
posted by blackkar at 10:22 AM on October 24, 2005
You can also hide a lot of stuff in salad dressing (again, ground up).
Candied fruit may not be too bad. Stock up on the fruit she will eat.
A lady I work with had to stop eating junk food while pregnant because it kept making her sick, and she actually starting craving foods she would normally never eat. Just keep trying new things in small doses, something may stick.
posted by blackkar at 10:22 AM on October 24, 2005
Also, veggies and fruit are totally different raw than cooked. She may prefer one over the other, but has never tried the alternative to what she knows she doesn't enjoy.
posted by blackkar at 10:23 AM on October 24, 2005
posted by blackkar at 10:23 AM on October 24, 2005
Best answer: I'm at the end of my first trimester myself at the moment (with twins, so double the hormones) and I feel for your wife!
Unfortunately, I never know from one day to the next what on earth I will feel I can eat and keep down. Nothing has stayed consistently desirable, which has made eating and cooking a minor nightmare.
Here's what I've found palatable so far:
- lemonade (perfect plend of tart and sweet to help the nausea)
- potatoes in just about any form - baked, mashed, fried
- pasta w/different sauces
- turkey - yeah, I know about the 'no deli meats' rule, but I don't care. It's one of the few proteins that has a subtle enough flavor that it doesn't make me nauseous. Turkey sandwich w/lettuce & tomato = yum.
- soup, especially chicken noodle. Again, some protein, and veggies as well.
- fresh fruit, especially oranges, kiwis and bananas
- mexican food - beans, cheese and rice are all good nutritional foods
- yogurt - keep trying different flavors/textures
- grilled cheese sandwich
- ice cream!
- vegetables - I normally love them, but have not been able to eat them like I normally do. I vastly prefer them cooked at the moment, so soups and stews have been great
The key is bland food w/subtle or no smell, especially if she gets nauseous. In my humble opinion, as long as she's taking a multivitamin, she should just concentrate on eating what she wants to eat and try to get a few good items in there when she can (protein, calcium, vitamins). God willing, the second trimester will be much easier on the stomach and appetite.
Good luck and congrats!
posted by widdershins at 10:33 AM on October 24, 2005 [1 favorite]
Unfortunately, I never know from one day to the next what on earth I will feel I can eat and keep down. Nothing has stayed consistently desirable, which has made eating and cooking a minor nightmare.
Here's what I've found palatable so far:
- lemonade (perfect plend of tart and sweet to help the nausea)
- potatoes in just about any form - baked, mashed, fried
- pasta w/different sauces
- turkey - yeah, I know about the 'no deli meats' rule, but I don't care. It's one of the few proteins that has a subtle enough flavor that it doesn't make me nauseous. Turkey sandwich w/lettuce & tomato = yum.
- soup, especially chicken noodle. Again, some protein, and veggies as well.
- fresh fruit, especially oranges, kiwis and bananas
- mexican food - beans, cheese and rice are all good nutritional foods
- yogurt - keep trying different flavors/textures
- grilled cheese sandwich
- ice cream!
- vegetables - I normally love them, but have not been able to eat them like I normally do. I vastly prefer them cooked at the moment, so soups and stews have been great
The key is bland food w/subtle or no smell, especially if she gets nauseous. In my humble opinion, as long as she's taking a multivitamin, she should just concentrate on eating what she wants to eat and try to get a few good items in there when she can (protein, calcium, vitamins). God willing, the second trimester will be much easier on the stomach and appetite.
Good luck and congrats!
posted by widdershins at 10:33 AM on October 24, 2005 [1 favorite]
I'm with phearlez on this one. She's pregnant. She needs to keep a stiff upper lip and give broccoli a chance. When my picky-eater roommate and I were trying to find new vegetables she would be able to stand, we just had a "one a week" standard -- one new veggie per week. Eat the sucker, even if you think you won't like it. Finish it, even if you're not sure it's good. Then, we'd talk about why it was or wasn't good and whether or not changing the way we cooked it would make it better. Zuchinni made the cut, brussels sprouts, not so much. The steamer is an excellent idea, as well as going fresh with ALL veggies. Canned ones are nasty, unless you're talking sweetened creamed corn. Same with stuff like guacamole -- if all you've ever had is the nasty prefab stuff, then you really need to try fresh guac before writing it off. Good luck . .
posted by Medieval Maven at 10:34 AM on October 24, 2005
posted by Medieval Maven at 10:34 AM on October 24, 2005
turkey - yeah, I know about the 'no deli meats' rule, but I don't care.
Um, isn't this rule meaning no deli-PROCESSED meats? Or do you mean you're buying sliced turkey? If so, why?
As a terminal cheapskate one of the first things I did when looking for ways to save a few bucks was start taking sandwiches to work. The second thing I did was say "jeebus, sliced meat is expensive!" and start buying the deli-cooked turkey and chicken and slicing it myself. WAY cheaper and less crud too.
posted by phearlez at 10:45 AM on October 24, 2005
Um, isn't this rule meaning no deli-PROCESSED meats? Or do you mean you're buying sliced turkey? If so, why?
As a terminal cheapskate one of the first things I did when looking for ways to save a few bucks was start taking sandwiches to work. The second thing I did was say "jeebus, sliced meat is expensive!" and start buying the deli-cooked turkey and chicken and slicing it myself. WAY cheaper and less crud too.
posted by phearlez at 10:45 AM on October 24, 2005
Another note of support for phearlez, but for the nutritionist part. She can just tell her OB she needs help with her food pattern and get a referral to a nutritionist. She's eating for two, as they say, so this is not a time to just wing it.
(That said, I'm not sure I'd tell someone who might be suffering from nausea to suck it up and eat it no matter what. You want her to keep it down after she eats, don't you? This response is probably influenced by the fact that if someone took that attitude with me, he could sleep on the goddamn porch until delivery day, tyvm.)
posted by caitlinb at 10:53 AM on October 24, 2005
(That said, I'm not sure I'd tell someone who might be suffering from nausea to suck it up and eat it no matter what. You want her to keep it down after she eats, don't you? This response is probably influenced by the fact that if someone took that attitude with me, he could sleep on the goddamn porch until delivery day, tyvm.)
posted by caitlinb at 10:53 AM on October 24, 2005
Find the fruit she'll eat and make it into a smoothie with varying proportions of yogurt, tofu, and soy milk. She can drink it slowly and won't have that nasty sense of Having To Eat a Meal. You can pack a lot of nutrition into one of these. But then I haven't been pregnant and don't know whether a concoction like this would pass the morning sickness test. As well as following my brilliant advice, I second speaking to a dietician. Congrats on the pregnancy. Have fun!
posted by firstdrop at 11:01 AM on October 24, 2005
posted by firstdrop at 11:01 AM on October 24, 2005
I'm a fairly picky eater, and during my first trimester I pretty much survived on Raisin Bran, oatmeal, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. To try an up the health factor a little, I fixed the PBJ with whole grain bread, using all natural peanut butter and jelly.
If your wife's not into fruits and veggies, maybe beans and grains would be a good alternative. A quick fix meal I make involves grinding up some black beans into a paste, and smearing a tablespoon of them on a flour tortilla, then adding various items like chicken, cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, etc., and rolling them up into a hand-held meal.
I second widdershins advice in letting her tummy guide the meal choice, with an eye towards making it as healthy as possible. The concern I have with "butch up" is that it could lead to throw-up, which for me would essentially purge the food from my diet, or at least delay its reappearance for a long time.
Here's to a happy and healthy pregnancy. Congratulations!
posted by hoppytoad at 11:12 AM on October 24, 2005
If your wife's not into fruits and veggies, maybe beans and grains would be a good alternative. A quick fix meal I make involves grinding up some black beans into a paste, and smearing a tablespoon of them on a flour tortilla, then adding various items like chicken, cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, etc., and rolling them up into a hand-held meal.
I second widdershins advice in letting her tummy guide the meal choice, with an eye towards making it as healthy as possible. The concern I have with "butch up" is that it could lead to throw-up, which for me would essentially purge the food from my diet, or at least delay its reappearance for a long time.
Here's to a happy and healthy pregnancy. Congratulations!
posted by hoppytoad at 11:12 AM on October 24, 2005
Double the suggestion to see a nutritionist or dietician. Get her doctor to refer her and work from there.
posted by plinth at 11:27 AM on October 24, 2005
posted by plinth at 11:27 AM on October 24, 2005
My wife is in her fourth month. My biggest suggestion: give up any hope of having a meal plan. You should get her whatever she feels like eating, whenever she feels like it. The food that my wife finds attractive (and that she can keep down) changes from day to day. After throwing out a couple of refrigerator's full, we opted for the just-in-time meal plan, rather than the week in advance meal plan.
posted by alms at 11:28 AM on October 24, 2005
posted by alms at 11:28 AM on October 24, 2005
Best answer: She's not allowed deli meat, things rich in Vitamin A (liver, orange cauliflower, etc), seafood, soft cheeses, pate's or meat spreads...
Hmmm. Is this "not allowed thing" specific to her? Because I'm starting my 3rd trimester and some of these things are totally news to me.
There are certain FISH she should avoid while pregnant, but she still can eat other fish and seafood as long as it has not spoiled or raw. Fish to avoid include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (also called golden or white snapper), tuna steak (fresh or frozen), orange roughy, Spanish mackerel, marlin, and grouper. There are PLENTY of other fish to eat, including: shrimp, salmon, cod, and canned tuna are not only safe to eat but also packed with vitamins. She can safely eat up to 12 ounces of cooked fish a week. Within this limit, she can eat up to 6-8 oz. of canned tuna a week (depending on which study you read).
She can eat sliced turkey, ham, chicken, etc. Some say to avoid hot dogs/baloney/processed meats, others say to heat them thoroughly (to 160 degrees or more) before consumption. Check with her OB/GYN. I craved chicken during my 1st trimester...broth, baked, roasted, prepared any which way. Many meat choices are safe as long as they aren't raw or undercooked. Pates and "meat spreads" are out.
The only cheeses she needs to stay away from are the ones which are commonly unpasteurized, such as: feta, Brie, Camembert, and Gorgonzola; blue-veined cheeses like Roquefort; and Mexican-style varieties such as queso fresco. And she can even eat these if they are cooked until they are bubbling. All pasteurized cheeses are fine.
These specific foods are only dangerous because of the risk of listeria, a specific form of bacteria that pregnant women are more susceptible to. The risk of listeria can be reduced with proper food preparation and safe food handling.
I've never been told that any fruits or vegetables are off limits, and I eat a lot of nuts, peanut butter, tofu, dried fruit, yogurt (pasteurized), etc.
So, there are plenty of sources of protein, vitamins and minerals available to her. I don't assume that she is overreacting. Becoming pregnant can be overwhelming and everyone has advice, opinions, myths to share. It's often hard to figure out what is "real" and what is "drama" right away.
posted by jeanmari at 11:31 AM on October 24, 2005
Hmmm. Is this "not allowed thing" specific to her? Because I'm starting my 3rd trimester and some of these things are totally news to me.
There are certain FISH she should avoid while pregnant, but she still can eat other fish and seafood as long as it has not spoiled or raw. Fish to avoid include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (also called golden or white snapper), tuna steak (fresh or frozen), orange roughy, Spanish mackerel, marlin, and grouper. There are PLENTY of other fish to eat, including: shrimp, salmon, cod, and canned tuna are not only safe to eat but also packed with vitamins. She can safely eat up to 12 ounces of cooked fish a week. Within this limit, she can eat up to 6-8 oz. of canned tuna a week (depending on which study you read).
She can eat sliced turkey, ham, chicken, etc. Some say to avoid hot dogs/baloney/processed meats, others say to heat them thoroughly (to 160 degrees or more) before consumption. Check with her OB/GYN. I craved chicken during my 1st trimester...broth, baked, roasted, prepared any which way. Many meat choices are safe as long as they aren't raw or undercooked. Pates and "meat spreads" are out.
The only cheeses she needs to stay away from are the ones which are commonly unpasteurized, such as: feta, Brie, Camembert, and Gorgonzola; blue-veined cheeses like Roquefort; and Mexican-style varieties such as queso fresco. And she can even eat these if they are cooked until they are bubbling. All pasteurized cheeses are fine.
These specific foods are only dangerous because of the risk of listeria, a specific form of bacteria that pregnant women are more susceptible to. The risk of listeria can be reduced with proper food preparation and safe food handling.
I've never been told that any fruits or vegetables are off limits, and I eat a lot of nuts, peanut butter, tofu, dried fruit, yogurt (pasteurized), etc.
So, there are plenty of sources of protein, vitamins and minerals available to her. I don't assume that she is overreacting. Becoming pregnant can be overwhelming and everyone has advice, opinions, myths to share. It's often hard to figure out what is "real" and what is "drama" right away.
posted by jeanmari at 11:31 AM on October 24, 2005
I had hyperemesis (morning sickness, although it was all day long) throughout my 40 weeks of pregnancy. I found that what I could stand changed over time. For a while, I couldn't handle eggs, chicken, or pork. To some degree, I think this is because my mind knew that those foods can harbour harmful bacteria. I found myself eating tons of hamburgers and pastas. I often found I couldn't stand even to cook, something I'd previously enjoyed.
So...
I bought big packages of ground beef and turkey. I put 1/2 aside. I cooked the rest (separately) with a bit of olive oil. I added onions, but your wife is not interested in that. This provided me with a cooked meat mixture. I could easily add a bit of Indian curry paste, soya sauce, Japanese curry, sweet & sour, Thai curry paste, pesto, cream sauce, or other sauce. This provided for many curries and pastas. You can stick the unseasoned meat mixture in the freezer and reheat when needed. Maybe it wasn't super gourmet, but...
With the remaining meat, I made meatballs and meatloaf. Again, I could freeze these and easily add sauces later.
I found I ate a lot of yogurt, fresh cheese (Minigo), low fat pudding (skim milk), milk, mozza and cheddar. Cheese and crackers are great for morning sickness. I also liked cheddar and sliced apple. I often added grated cheese to top my pastas, too.
For veggies and fruit...I think you'll need to be creative. That's going to depend on what your wife can stomach. If you give some guidelines, maybe we can come up with some ideas.
I see you are located in BC. Have you tried Dial-a-Dietician? (604) 732-9191 or Toll-Free 1-800-667-3438. Registered dietitians are available Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm to provide free, brief nutrition consultation. Nutrition factsheets available at: www.dialadietitian.org. Once the baby is born, you can also get information to help with diet during breastfeeding, introduction of solids, etc. They'll mail stuff to you too. I highly recommend them.
Also, if your wife tells her doctor that she is trouble eating, the doctor can refer her to a dietician, under BC's Medical Services Plan. I saw a dietician late last year when I was pregnant and suffering from hyperemesis. I was so confused about what I could eat (e.g. fish -- good or bad?) and couldn't stand most other foods. Part of the ill feeling I had came from undereating, as pointed out by the dietician. For the health of your wife and unborn child, as well as your own peace of mind, get thee to a GP and then dietician. It's covered by your medical plan.
posted by acoutu at 11:40 AM on October 24, 2005
So...
I bought big packages of ground beef and turkey. I put 1/2 aside. I cooked the rest (separately) with a bit of olive oil. I added onions, but your wife is not interested in that. This provided me with a cooked meat mixture. I could easily add a bit of Indian curry paste, soya sauce, Japanese curry, sweet & sour, Thai curry paste, pesto, cream sauce, or other sauce. This provided for many curries and pastas. You can stick the unseasoned meat mixture in the freezer and reheat when needed. Maybe it wasn't super gourmet, but...
With the remaining meat, I made meatballs and meatloaf. Again, I could freeze these and easily add sauces later.
I found I ate a lot of yogurt, fresh cheese (Minigo), low fat pudding (skim milk), milk, mozza and cheddar. Cheese and crackers are great for morning sickness. I also liked cheddar and sliced apple. I often added grated cheese to top my pastas, too.
For veggies and fruit...I think you'll need to be creative. That's going to depend on what your wife can stomach. If you give some guidelines, maybe we can come up with some ideas.
I see you are located in BC. Have you tried Dial-a-Dietician? (604) 732-9191 or Toll-Free 1-800-667-3438. Registered dietitians are available Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm to provide free, brief nutrition consultation. Nutrition factsheets available at: www.dialadietitian.org. Once the baby is born, you can also get information to help with diet during breastfeeding, introduction of solids, etc. They'll mail stuff to you too. I highly recommend them.
Also, if your wife tells her doctor that she is trouble eating, the doctor can refer her to a dietician, under BC's Medical Services Plan. I saw a dietician late last year when I was pregnant and suffering from hyperemesis. I was so confused about what I could eat (e.g. fish -- good or bad?) and couldn't stand most other foods. Part of the ill feeling I had came from undereating, as pointed out by the dietician. For the health of your wife and unborn child, as well as your own peace of mind, get thee to a GP and then dietician. It's covered by your medical plan.
posted by acoutu at 11:40 AM on October 24, 2005
She's not allowed deli meat, things rich in Vitamin A (liver, orange cauliflower, etc), seafood, soft cheeses, pate's or meat spreads...
Is this specific to her? I'm going into my 3rd trimester and there were SOME foods that I have had to avoid. But plenty of foods I could eat.
Yes, because of the risk of listeria, some studies tell pregnant women to avoid processed deli meat, hotdogs and sausages. Other studies recommend that you heat these meats to over 160 degrees before consumption to kill any bacteria that may be present. I don't care for liver or pate, so I never looked it up, but chicken, beef, pork, veal and such are safe as long as they are not raw or undercooked.
Also because of listeria, studies advise avoiding unpasteurized cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, feta, goat, Limburger, Montrachet, Neufchatel, queso fresco, Pont-Leveque, Asiago, Belle Paese, bleu, brick, Gorgonzola, Havarti, Muenster, Port-Salut, Roquefort, and Taleggio. Any cheese made in the United States MUST be pasteurized and are (generally) safe. Listeria is not found in hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Colby, Colby Jack, Gruyere, Parmesan, Romano, Swiss or in processed cheeses such as cottage cheese, or in yogurt. Some studies say that pregnant women can eat soft and semi-soft imported cheeses as long as they are cooked until they are bubbling. Talk to her OB/Gyn or a dietician.
Cooked, fresh fish other than shark, swordfish, kink mackerel, fresh tuna, sea bass, and tilefish can be safely consumed in quantities no more than 12 oz a week. (Different guidelines for canned tuna.) No local fresh water fish, especially blue fish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye. I was told that thorougly cooked shellfish was fine. Raw fish was definitely out.
Raw eggs, or anything containing raw eggs, no. So no Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards.
Otherwise, I eat quite a variety of foods (including snacks of nuts, dried fruit and peanut butter.) And I take a pregnancy vitamin everyday, though that is not a substitute for healthy eating.
Becoming pregnant for the first time IS overwhelming. All this information gets thrown at you, some of it is conflicting, some of it is mythic or blown out of proportion. I was scrambling those first few weeks to try to figure out what was safe and what wasn't. Add nausea, food avoidance and cravings on top of that? Ouch. (btw, REAL gingerale, ginger tea and ginger candies helped squelch my nausea nicely.)
posted by jeanmari at 11:58 AM on October 24, 2005
Is this specific to her? I'm going into my 3rd trimester and there were SOME foods that I have had to avoid. But plenty of foods I could eat.
Yes, because of the risk of listeria, some studies tell pregnant women to avoid processed deli meat, hotdogs and sausages. Other studies recommend that you heat these meats to over 160 degrees before consumption to kill any bacteria that may be present. I don't care for liver or pate, so I never looked it up, but chicken, beef, pork, veal and such are safe as long as they are not raw or undercooked.
Also because of listeria, studies advise avoiding unpasteurized cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, feta, goat, Limburger, Montrachet, Neufchatel, queso fresco, Pont-Leveque, Asiago, Belle Paese, bleu, brick, Gorgonzola, Havarti, Muenster, Port-Salut, Roquefort, and Taleggio. Any cheese made in the United States MUST be pasteurized and are (generally) safe. Listeria is not found in hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Colby, Colby Jack, Gruyere, Parmesan, Romano, Swiss or in processed cheeses such as cottage cheese, or in yogurt. Some studies say that pregnant women can eat soft and semi-soft imported cheeses as long as they are cooked until they are bubbling. Talk to her OB/Gyn or a dietician.
Cooked, fresh fish other than shark, swordfish, kink mackerel, fresh tuna, sea bass, and tilefish can be safely consumed in quantities no more than 12 oz a week. (Different guidelines for canned tuna.) No local fresh water fish, especially blue fish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye. I was told that thorougly cooked shellfish was fine. Raw fish was definitely out.
Raw eggs, or anything containing raw eggs, no. So no Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards.
Otherwise, I eat quite a variety of foods (including snacks of nuts, dried fruit and peanut butter.) And I take a pregnancy vitamin everyday, though that is not a substitute for healthy eating.
Becoming pregnant for the first time IS overwhelming. All this information gets thrown at you, some of it is conflicting, some of it is mythic or blown out of proportion. I was scrambling those first few weeks to try to figure out what was safe and what wasn't. Add nausea, food avoidance and cravings on top of that? Ouch. (btw, REAL gingerale, ginger tea and ginger candies helped squelch my nausea nicely.)
posted by jeanmari at 11:58 AM on October 24, 2005
Cr*p. I thought AskMe had lost my first post because it didn't show up even after 10 minutes. Sorry for the annoying double post.
posted by jeanmari at 12:00 PM on October 24, 2005
posted by jeanmari at 12:00 PM on October 24, 2005
My OBs and midwives told me not to sweat the diet too much, and I was desperately sick for the first 6 months (I'm expecting a baby any day now). I think for the first few months I lived on Breyer's Natural Vanilla Ice Cream and mild stuff like toast and Cheerios. The BNVIC was a life-saver, practically a daily ritual (and I've only gained 27 lbs, well within the recommended range).
I used to get sick just walking into the grocery store or farmer's market -- particularly by the smell of cantaloupe rind and of the salad greens and herbs. Nearly all green veggies disappeared from my diet -- what's the point of choking down something you hate only to throw it up? -- that's if you can even choke it down in the first place.... And she WILL throw it up. (BTW, Airplane sickness bags are invaluable to put in your purse/car.)
With the OK of my docs/midwives, what I ate was lots of red and orange veggies (pumpkin, bell peppers, tomatoes) and kept the carbs as whole-wheaty as I could. I started craving red meat and lots of it. In the 3rd trimester I was able to eat spinach and greens again -- I especially like the prepared sesame greens at Whole Foods. Whole foods also has fantastic whole-wheat poptarts that are a good midnight snack with a glass of milk. As always, YMMV.
Taking the prenatal vitamin with folate is essential if you have to cut out big categories like this, though. Taking it at night before bed reduced my "morning" sickness (ha) considerably.
Don't force yourselves to plan ahead -- except for the vanilla ice cream, stocking my fridge with healthy food I thought I ought to be eating didn't work that well. Go out as much as possible to satisfy cravings. We've spent a lot on takeout Thai and Mexican, but at least I could eat it.
It's a rough nine months, but things will get back to normal. You can't force it, though, and your wife's monthly/weekly blood and urine tests at the OB will help reveal any problems.
posted by mdiskin at 12:15 PM on October 24, 2005
I used to get sick just walking into the grocery store or farmer's market -- particularly by the smell of cantaloupe rind and of the salad greens and herbs. Nearly all green veggies disappeared from my diet -- what's the point of choking down something you hate only to throw it up? -- that's if you can even choke it down in the first place.... And she WILL throw it up. (BTW, Airplane sickness bags are invaluable to put in your purse/car.)
With the OK of my docs/midwives, what I ate was lots of red and orange veggies (pumpkin, bell peppers, tomatoes) and kept the carbs as whole-wheaty as I could. I started craving red meat and lots of it. In the 3rd trimester I was able to eat spinach and greens again -- I especially like the prepared sesame greens at Whole Foods. Whole foods also has fantastic whole-wheat poptarts that are a good midnight snack with a glass of milk. As always, YMMV.
Taking the prenatal vitamin with folate is essential if you have to cut out big categories like this, though. Taking it at night before bed reduced my "morning" sickness (ha) considerably.
Don't force yourselves to plan ahead -- except for the vanilla ice cream, stocking my fridge with healthy food I thought I ought to be eating didn't work that well. Go out as much as possible to satisfy cravings. We've spent a lot on takeout Thai and Mexican, but at least I could eat it.
It's a rough nine months, but things will get back to normal. You can't force it, though, and your wife's monthly/weekly blood and urine tests at the OB will help reveal any problems.
posted by mdiskin at 12:15 PM on October 24, 2005
It doesn't matter what she can or will eat, what matters is if you will drive at 3am to find it!
Congrats!
posted by adamfunman at 12:47 PM on October 24, 2005
Congrats!
posted by adamfunman at 12:47 PM on October 24, 2005
Best answer: Jeanmari:
Those eating guidelines are based on Health Canada and BC Medical Services recommendations. Your profile says you live in the US, where there are differrent policies and food preparation guidelines. Soft cheeses, pates and meat spreads can carry listeria, but also may contain nitrites. The same goes for deli meat. In fact, our government recommends heating deli meat to a certain temperature before consuming it -- even when you're not pregnant. They also say no deli meat for children, if at all possible.
There are some soft cheeses that are okay to eat. The problem is that many Canadians (and especially British Columbians) eat "natural" and farmers' markets foods, as well as those from the farmgate and those imported from abroad. So people might come into contact with unpasteurized cheeses. There are also some other problems with soft cheeses and bacteria, but I can't remember exactly what these are, since I learned it while pregnany and suffering from pre-natal amnesia!
The ban on seafood is not across-the-board. It's okay to eat small amounts of canned tuna and salmon. Diel-a-Dietician or a referred dietician can help the poster clear this up. It's better to get the free, accurate information from the dietician. I remember one GP told me no fish at all, but my pregnancy family doctor was horrified about the risk of not having Omega 3s. In the end, I took a supplement and went back to eating a can of tuna or salmon a week.
posted by acoutu at 12:54 PM on October 24, 2005
Those eating guidelines are based on Health Canada and BC Medical Services recommendations. Your profile says you live in the US, where there are differrent policies and food preparation guidelines. Soft cheeses, pates and meat spreads can carry listeria, but also may contain nitrites. The same goes for deli meat. In fact, our government recommends heating deli meat to a certain temperature before consuming it -- even when you're not pregnant. They also say no deli meat for children, if at all possible.
There are some soft cheeses that are okay to eat. The problem is that many Canadians (and especially British Columbians) eat "natural" and farmers' markets foods, as well as those from the farmgate and those imported from abroad. So people might come into contact with unpasteurized cheeses. There are also some other problems with soft cheeses and bacteria, but I can't remember exactly what these are, since I learned it while pregnany and suffering from pre-natal amnesia!
The ban on seafood is not across-the-board. It's okay to eat small amounts of canned tuna and salmon. Diel-a-Dietician or a referred dietician can help the poster clear this up. It's better to get the free, accurate information from the dietician. I remember one GP told me no fish at all, but my pregnancy family doctor was horrified about the risk of not having Omega 3s. In the end, I took a supplement and went back to eating a can of tuna or salmon a week.
posted by acoutu at 12:54 PM on October 24, 2005
Acoutu--I actually got those eating guidelines from my OB/GYN at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and her materials reference the American Pregnancy Association. So, I'm confused about where you got the references to Canada and BC. Ah well.
posted by jeanmari at 1:02 PM on October 24, 2005
posted by jeanmari at 1:02 PM on October 24, 2005
Kickstart70 lives in Canada, so the advice to avoid meat, cheese and seafood is undoubtedly in accordance with Health Canada's standards. I think that was what acoutu was getting at, jeanmari.
posted by Sully6 at 2:03 PM on October 24, 2005
posted by Sully6 at 2:03 PM on October 24, 2005
Our midwives had a lot to suggest in the pregnant mother's diet concerning the health of the placenta, not just the mother and baby (the point being that a healthy placenta leads to an easier birth). Effectively, this meant protein and more protein. Pretty much everything else came easy, but it's been a battle every day to get enough protein. I suppose the content of this comment is "Talk to midwives".
posted by Aknaton at 2:08 PM on October 24, 2005
posted by Aknaton at 2:08 PM on October 24, 2005
When my wife first got pregnant she couldn't eat hardly anything. Now, she's about 6 months pregnant and she is eating anything and everything. So, she might get less finicky as the pregnancy develops.
posted by trbrts at 2:18 PM on October 24, 2005
posted by trbrts at 2:18 PM on October 24, 2005
You're a better man than I; my question in your circumstances would be about divorce lawyers, not diet plans.
That's a horrible thing to say. I can't believe the insensitivity of some people posting here.
She's not a fussy eater, she's pregnant. Do you people being so negative and hostile think she's harming the child by not eating broccoli? That's not just hostility, that's sheer ignorance.
As long as she's taking the vitamins and eating and drinking enough of just about anything she can keep down, so that she's not seriously dehydrated or undernourished, then the baby's fine. Just keep trying different stuff.
The point of pregnancy sickness is that the first-trimester foetus doesn't need huge amounts of food to grow, because it's tiny. It needs safe food while it's laying down the key organs and bones etc. All your rules about what constitutes healthy food have gone out the window.
Pregnancy sickness is there to make sure the mother doesn't eat anything which might be even slightly poisonous, and it's often an over-reaction. But if her body is telling her not to eat broccoli, the idea that you would force her or guilt-trip her into forcing it down, well, now you're making me sick.
posted by AmbroseChapel at 2:23 PM on October 24, 2005 [1 favorite]
That's a horrible thing to say. I can't believe the insensitivity of some people posting here.
She's not a fussy eater, she's pregnant. Do you people being so negative and hostile think she's harming the child by not eating broccoli? That's not just hostility, that's sheer ignorance.
As long as she's taking the vitamins and eating and drinking enough of just about anything she can keep down, so that she's not seriously dehydrated or undernourished, then the baby's fine. Just keep trying different stuff.
The point of pregnancy sickness is that the first-trimester foetus doesn't need huge amounts of food to grow, because it's tiny. It needs safe food while it's laying down the key organs and bones etc. All your rules about what constitutes healthy food have gone out the window.
Pregnancy sickness is there to make sure the mother doesn't eat anything which might be even slightly poisonous, and it's often an over-reaction. But if her body is telling her not to eat broccoli, the idea that you would force her or guilt-trip her into forcing it down, well, now you're making me sick.
posted by AmbroseChapel at 2:23 PM on October 24, 2005 [1 favorite]
A healthy smoothie that's easy on the easily nauseated:
8 oz. plain soy milk (if she objects to soy milk try orange juice)
1 tsp flax seed oil
A handful of frozen peaches
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
1 scoop protein powder
Blend it up, pour it in a glass. Nutrition disguised as deliciousness.
posted by Sara Anne at 2:40 PM on October 24, 2005
8 oz. plain soy milk (if she objects to soy milk try orange juice)
1 tsp flax seed oil
A handful of frozen peaches
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
1 scoop protein powder
Blend it up, pour it in a glass. Nutrition disguised as deliciousness.
posted by Sara Anne at 2:40 PM on October 24, 2005
AmbroseChapel, I took the question (as did some other people) to be asking "My wife is a picky eater at the best of times, and now, she's pregnant. How do I help her eat healthily for the duration of her pregnancy?" If he meant she's got hyperemesis, that's obviously a different story. I highly doubt that phearlez, myself, and others seriously expect him to make a barfing woman eat something that she gets sick sniffing, but he said "she won't eat" not that she was morning sick. Not everyone gets morning sickness; I'm assuming that if Kickstart meant morning sickness/hyperemesis, he would have speicified that certain things actually make her hurl, not that she just happens to hate veggies.
posted by Medieval Maven at 3:02 PM on October 24, 2005
posted by Medieval Maven at 3:02 PM on October 24, 2005
Jeanmari, Kickstart is in BC, Canada. I also live there and had a baby earlier this year. So that's why I provided the British Columbia & Health Canada info.
The US and Canada differ on many health policies. For example, just three hours south of Vancouver, doctors apparently do not recommend Vitamin D drops. But they are considered very important here.
posted by acoutu at 3:07 PM on October 24, 2005
The US and Canada differ on many health policies. For example, just three hours south of Vancouver, doctors apparently do not recommend Vitamin D drops. But they are considered very important here.
posted by acoutu at 3:07 PM on October 24, 2005
Sorry acoutu, I misunderstood. I actually try to follow Canada's lead on other health issues I struggle with...I contacted MotherRisk before I got pregnant to get some advice on meds that I'm required to take, even through pregnancy. They were an excellent resource. I didn't realize that they were different on foods in pregnancy...good to know!
posted by jeanmari at 5:03 PM on October 24, 2005
posted by jeanmari at 5:03 PM on October 24, 2005
"AmbroseChapel, I took the question (as did some other people) to be asking "My wife is a picky eater at the best of times, and now, she's pregnant."
Well, that's not what the question says.
Now that I've calmed down, let me make three points:
posted by AmbroseChapel at 5:07 PM on October 24, 2005
Well, that's not what the question says.
Now that I've calmed down, let me make three points:
- If you've never been pregnant, or cared for someone pregnant, shut the hell up. Seriously. Nothing for you to see here sir, move along ma'am, have a nice day.
- There are people here taking some kind of weirdly adversarial position; I've seen it before. They seem to regard a pregnant woman as some kind of lunatic who's taken a foetus hostage -- the mild end of a spectrum whose other end is those women legally imprisoned for the duration because they might harm the unborn child. That's not that way it should be. It's your job to protect your loved ones against things that might harm them: drunk drivers, muggers, rapists, etc. Now that she's pregnant, Broccoli is on that list too, and any other food or beverage she tells you she doesn't want.
- Pregnancy sickness, part of which is reluctance to eat or even smell certain foods, is a good thing. Women who experience it are less likely to miscarry, and that's scientific fact.
posted by AmbroseChapel at 5:07 PM on October 24, 2005
She tends to eat pretty crappy in general, and I have to nag her about veggies.
Still reading this as Kickstart's wife being generally picky, and is now pregnant and picky. Clarification from the OP, please?
AmbroseChapel, sure, I've seen that adversarial thing before, too, but not so much in this thread. And morning sickness is not even mentioned in the original question.
posted by desuetude at 6:26 PM on October 24, 2005
Still reading this as Kickstart's wife being generally picky, and is now pregnant and picky. Clarification from the OP, please?
AmbroseChapel, sure, I've seen that adversarial thing before, too, but not so much in this thread. And morning sickness is not even mentioned in the original question.
posted by desuetude at 6:26 PM on October 24, 2005
desuetude is right. There is no reference to morning sickness in the original question. Kickstart needs to clarify, if he wants to. Otherwise, I think that no one meant anything badly. Curing picky eating is one thing; dealing with morning sickness is something else. Obviously, people here took it both ways, and there is seemingly good advice for dealing with both ends of the spectrum, in any case.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:55 PM on October 24, 2005
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:55 PM on October 24, 2005
I'd welcome clarification.
I'd also welcome clarification from anyone on how phearlez's advice to divorce her wasn't "meant badly". Shame on you.
posted by AmbroseChapel at 9:39 PM on October 24, 2005
I'd also welcome clarification from anyone on how phearlez's advice to divorce her wasn't "meant badly". Shame on you.
posted by AmbroseChapel at 9:39 PM on October 24, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bonheur at 9:41 AM on October 24, 2005