A Real-Life Pregnancy: Week 7

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Photo Credit: Dean Lipoff

This week was filled with happy and sad moments regarding food. I usually really enjoy eating, cooking, and shopping for food. But unfortunately this week there's been a huge shift in my normal routine. Suddenly anything food-related is a nightmare.

Why is morning sickness is called "morning sickness" when you can have it at all times during the day?

What to Eat and What Not to Eat—That's the Question!

I spent some time researching what types of foods I should be adding to or subtracting from my diet now that I'm pregnant. I'm happy to see that for the most part, I am already on the right track. But I wasn't ready for the big change in how my body now reacts to food—all my normal favorites are no longer appealing!

The grocery store is a place that I enjoy: I like all the great smells, new and trendy food items, and planning healthy things to cook. Recently, after I created a fantastic list of items to get, I headed out to my favorite market to start my new pregnancy cooking and diet experience! The minute I stepped through the market doorway, I knew things weren't going to go well. Walking past the happy butcher, my stomach decided that protein wasn't a good idea; the dairy aisle was a dangerous swimming wave of white milky items, and the rows of beautiful, fresh produce smelled strangely like old garbage to me.

I drifted to the paper aisle hoping to catch my breath next to the odor-free paper towels.

I finally did find three things didn't make the back of my throat dry up and my stomach turn—and then I got out of there fast.

Managing My Food Concerns

At this rate, how will I be able to cook a healthy dinner for my husband, new little baby, and me?

I know this is an important time for my developing baby. His or her bones and brain are starting to grow and form and I need to trust my prenatal vitamin to do its job!

I also learned a great trick: If I take my prenatal with juice in the morning, I don't get nearly as sick. I also discovered that upping the fiber in my diet—as much as I can tolerate—helps a lot, too. And I'm listening to my confused stomach and eating what it desires (even if that is frozen yogurt!).

So, all in all, it was a pretty good week. (By the way, I did end up making a decent dinner out of those three grocery store items: tomatoes, tortilla chips, and ranch dressing!)

Sarah's Stats

Waist measurement: 30 inches
Weekly weigh-in: 149 pounds
Pregnancy Symptoms: Larger breasts! (But super sore.) Nausea and fatigue.

About the Photo: The above picture of the author was taken during her seventh week of pregnancy by Dean Lipoff.

Read the next installment: week eight