That's right. You heard me. Today begins day one of strictly monitoring my caloric intake, but it's probably not what you think.
I need to be eating more. Lots more, actually. I should be consuming approximately 3,500 calories a day in order to maintain a healthy weight for these babies. And because I am slightly underweight (due to first trimester weight loss), I should actually aim for 4,000 calories.
3,500 calories!? 4,000 calories!?!? It blows my mind. I definitely haven't been holding back or dieting this entire pregnancy, but I feel a little stressed trying to find a way to eat that many calories. One of my pregnancy books suggested 3,000 calories, which seemed overwhelming at the time. An additional thousand calories now seems impossible! If you know me well or have ever had the pleasure of being my roommate, you probably know I could live off of cereal and chocolate milk. Unfortunately, that doesn't cut it when one is pregnant (and especially pregnant with twins).
Because I depend on Nathan and Cheryl for all of my meals, I have been hesitant to ask for three courses a day, please! We all talked last night, though, and my wonderful family let me know it is quite ridiculous that I haven't asked for more. If I want spaghetti for lunch, they'll make it. If I need a meal after dinner, Nathan is all about cooking. Copious amounts of milk, yogurt, smoothies, cereal, and nuts will be supplemented with even more food.
Knowing my personality, I have to plan for my calories each day...or I may fall behind. I remain in bed throughout the day, which means I sleep more than I probably should and miss the opportunity to eat. So, Nathan and I are going to be vigilant about it. After reading a number of articles that focused on the correlation between a well-balanced diet and healthy-sized twins, I felt extremely motivated to do more on my part. I know it isn't breaking news that one should eat more, but I think you know what I mean.
My doctor has suggested I eat throughout the day, and I intend on doing just that! I feel great about myself every time I see I have gained weight. It's funny how that works :)
Oh, and did I mention my water intake has been bumped up to 100 ounces a day? Instead of 80? Yes, important stuff going on here, people. But, if you only knew how much I hated water, you would realize just how serious this is.
I just have to end this post by saying I am truly grateful these are the challenges of my today. I have the burden of eating more and drinking more. And while it may seem overwhelming to me (at the time), it's a pretty charmed life.
I'd love some calorie booster suggestions. Any milkshake recipes or ideas?
p.s. Last night, I adjusted my desired caloric intake on mydailyplate.com to 4,000 calories. The last time I used this site was in May, and my caloric intake then was 1,400 daily. Oh, how things change!
London: A Year in Review
10 months ago
Do Dr Pepper calories count? PERFECT. :)
ReplyDeleteI am ridiculously jealous right now. I would eat cheese all day long if I could.
ReplyDeleteSo this is my little plug for the site I LUUURRRRVE, mydailyplate.com by livestrong.com (I think you can go to either). I wish they had a pregnancy setting because that would be freaking awesome. However, you are able to set your own calories and it's a really great way to track your calories. Let's good high calorie foods? The Fired Up Mac & Cheese is LOADED. :) It does seem like a lot of calories, but I bet once you get into the habit of it you'll be okay. I'll do some looking and see what I can find. Can't wait to see you this weekend!
ReplyDelete@ Katy - Ummm.. Yes! I WISH I could have Dr. Pepper. For every soda I drink though, I have to double that in water intake! Because not only does soda give you empty carbs, it basically steals water. So, if I drink 8 ounces of Dr. Pepper, I have to drink 16 ounces of water!
ReplyDelete@ Kayla- It is insane how much cheese I eat. Nathan is constantly being sent to Walmart to buy more.
@ Jenny- I am totally using mydailyplate.com! That is how I knew I was so far beneath the needed caloric intake.
All three of us are on calorie boosting diets now. I eat tons of trail mix with almonds, dried cherries, coconut and chocolate chips. Luna bars on the go, baked potatoes with all the fixings, and pretty much anything my mother made for me as a child. Then, I just throw in a side of veggies or salad so we can still be semi-healthy. I haven't gained a pound this pregnancy, and am working hard to! But with chasing Atticus around, it is hard to both remember to eat and pack on the wight. Good luck! I feel you.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! Tonight I am making quinoa and cheese. Kind of like mac and cheese but with quinoa and baked to perfection. You just cook the quinoa like normal, then add tonnnnns of cheese, an eggs, and milk to make it soupy in a casserole dish. Bake until firm. Yum! You can put sautéed diced onions and garlic too for more flavor.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had your problem. I am doing the opposite here.
ReplyDeleteI will try and brainstorm for you. Anything with lots of yummy cheese sauces should do the trick.
Okay I thought of a great way to get extra water. This is what I do. I love ice and I love straws. So I fill a 32oz cup from the gas station with ice and water and drink it through a straw all day. I know that if I drink at least two of them, I am good to go.
ReplyDeleteYou know you love that Queso dip, and Nathan's curry sounds yummy, and that white chili stuff you make in the crock pot... crock pot stuff can be simmering all day for you to have whenever so it could be easier on those that are cooking too. Breakfast is yummy any time, Grand Slam it up! The homemade version of course. You should throw an ice cream cake in there too. Don't forget to be careful about the heartburn triggering items.
ReplyDeleteI love water but I have noticed that sometimes it's all about the right container. And by that I mean that it can make it taste great, decent or horrible. I can't stand water in certain plastic cups but love it in a glass. Like beckie said, colder can also make a difference and a straw really helps you drink more than you realize... if you don't like it because you can drink it without tasting it.
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends whose doctors told them their babies or toddlers needed to put on weight told them to add cream or butter to their food. You could always try that, or try drinking whole milk. I know, ew.
ReplyDeleteThis really sounds like the problem you want to have, but I understand it can be difficult too. All I know is husband loves Haagen's Vanilla Swiss Almond ice cream (pint size) and it is about 400 calories per serving... and 3.5 servings per container. You may be the only one with an actual excuse to eat the whole thing in a sitting.
ReplyDeleteYou can make your own granola bars using honey, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, peanut butter, cocoa, whatever you want. The honey holds everything together and sweetens it. You just mix everything together until it's a nice consistency, spread it in a foil-covered cookie sheet, and freeze it. Then cut it into whatever size you want and wrap them individually. You can make them as calorically- and nutrionally-dense as you want depending on what you put in them.
ReplyDeleteIf you like peanut butter, I would say add it to smoothies. That can pack on the calories quickly.
ReplyDeleteMake this! http://stellfamily.blogspot.com/2011/01/alice-springs-chicken.html its SO yummy! Pair it with some loaded mashed potato's (you know mashed potato's with cheese sour cream milk butter chives) yum yum yum and SOOOOO many calories!
ReplyDelete