My Pregnancy Diet

I think by now I have read every book, blog, or website on eating well when you're expecting. Most things I abide by, but there are some things - like eating the bones in canned fish - that I just cannot do. This time around, I have been even more strict with my diet, with my main focus on ingredients. I try to steer clear of any artificial colors or flavorings; anything labeled 100% natural is right down my alley. My strict eating habits kicked into overdrive when my sister in law's water broke at 28 weeks pregnant (where I am now in my pregnancy) and gave birth just shy of 31 weeks. Knowing that every bite you take you share with your baby really hit home when you see this little 3lb baby laying in an incubator. If anything were to happen to me like this, I'd want my baby to have the best chance at a normal, healthy life.
I've had a few expecting mom's approach me with lots of questions, which I love because I am an open book; you ask, I tell. So, I thought I'd share my typical pregnancy diet for anyone wanting to read it.

-whole wheat/grain products: unless the word "whole" is there, you are missing out on the bran & germ; they are removed in the refining process of most breads. whole!whole!whole! I look for this when buying bread products, granola bars and pastas.
-omega-3 eggs: all from non-caged animals, and good for those brain-boosting fatty acids
-greek yogurt: more protein than regular yogurt. I usually add walnuts for extra calories & omega 3's, and fruit or raisins for vitamins.
-guacamole: I make mine with half an avocado mashed up with a teaspoon or 2 of salsa. Good fat & calories for baby
-chicken: we usually marinade it and fry it in a skillet, or boil it and throw it into a stir fry with some olive oil, peppers, onions, and brown rice.
-salmon: our favorite recipe is topped with a little mayo & dill, popped in the toaster oven. Usually paired with a side of rice (brown or whole-grain pilafs) and asparagus - good for folic acid!
-snacks: i try to snack on things like cut up veggies with hummus, cottage cheese, string cheese, apples with peanut butter, rice cake with peanut butter & banana or raisins, handful of nuts or seeds...but there's always room for my organic cookies dunked in milk (or vanilla soy milk...yummo)
-veggies: i try to have a veggie with both lunch and dinner; spinach with a little smart balance, peas & corn, broccoli, chopped peppers, salad with cucumber (and my newest health nut addition, kale). I also always throw some lettuce (romaine or other dark leaves) on my burgers or sandwiches along with cucumber slices.
-fruit: I usually have an apple or orange between meals for a snack, but love to buy frozen (no sugar added) fruit to add to smoothies or just crunch on.
-wheat germ: I try to add this to everything I can, but realistically only use a teaspoon or 2 a day. It's a great source of folic acid, and I find it easiest to add to oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, and cereal.

Desserts:
-chocolate: dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa) is delicious and an awesome antioxidant
-mousse: Unfortunately, you can't eat real chocolate mousse when you're expecting, so I make a boot-leg version with instant chocolate pudding mixed with some cool whip (one of my non-all-natural treats, whoops)
-frozen yogurt: less fat and calories than ice cream, and now newly available in greek frozen yogurt!

Of course this isn't all of the things I eat, but for the most part I eat a variety from this list on a daily basis. I also am not so strict to refuse food at others' houses, I just make sure it's on the "safe" list and get back to my diet as soon as I can. I can only hope that my determination with eating habits combined with exercise and rest can bring a healthy, happy baby into this world, and that I have given her the best start to life possible.