I have to count calories

[orangeglow]

Boo!  

I hate counting calories. Hate. But doctor today said I am not getting enough and need to work on that. I gained 3 pounds (so I am only at negative 7 now)!!  Everything looks good otherwise. But I guess at 21 weeks they want to see more like 5-6lbs. 

Another appt in 4 weeks.  Then chest X-Ray and growth scan 3 weeks after that with mfm.  Then they will conference and back to ob a week later. If all looks good it looks like 34-36.5 weeks for delivery. Which is end of November!!

I just wanted to give an update. And thank you guys for your support!!

[Deleted]

I vote you eat a lot of milkshakes.

Or possibly it's just me and milkshakes and toast are the only things that sound good most of the time;)

[bluelikejazz]

Boo counting calories - but 34-36 weeks is really good for you, right?

And I ditto milkshakes (you could add protein powder if you wanted a boost of nutrition )

[demandypants]

sounds like a reason for mandatory dessert every night!

[azurely]

Boo indeed. I like the milkshake idea!

I've been eating lots of trail mix too, and it's pretty high in calories with all of the nuts in it. My favorite is the Kirkland brand that comes in individual packs.

[melsamoony]

I also ditto the milkshakes and they do hide protein powder really well.

I am glad things are going well.

[Odonata]

Reading the title I thought it was because maybe you were gaining too much and had to slow down. Milkshakes all the time!!!! I hate counting calories, too, and always dreaded my Dr. will tell me this at every visit.

I second eating nuts. You get a ton of calories but they don' fill you up as much.

[MamaMaui24]

Orgain nutrition drinks are pretty good (better than ensure or boost). They come in vanilla, chocolate, iced cafe mocha, strawberry. Whole foods sells them for sure but other stores too.

[mrssandro]

Slather butter or cream cheese on everything.

In all seriousness eat a lot of healthy fatty foods like cheese and avocadoes.

[cheeseandcrackers]

i like counting calories when I can eat more of them :-) ha

[Bonita]

How many calories are you eating now, do you know? Did they give you any idea of how much to bump it up, or are you supposed to just max out as much as you can? ha ha

I vote adding ice cream / milkshakes after dinner...I've been doing that a lot recently

[nessness]

Now I really want a milkshake

But things like nuts and avocados are probably better choices.

[demandypants]

second breakfast is another favorite eating strategy of mine. Cereal at home, and then a bagel once I get to work.

[jennistarr1]

my friend was in this post and of course wanted to do it in a way that she was adding nutrition and not empty calories

milkshakes was her go to

add cheese to what you can

always keep some nuts on you

[orangeglow]

Thanks everyone.  The one time in my life I didn't want to have to count calories and here I am!

I stocked up on nuts, cottage cheese, protein bars and fruit at Sam's Club.  I am only assuming the amount of calories I eat right now - 1200-1400.  So I am aiming for 1600ish.  It doesn't sound difficult, but for me it really is.

And if by all these milkshakes you all mean green monster smoothies, then yes I am doing a lot of that!

[rbp]

Aug 19, 2014 10:50:26 GMT -5 demandypants said:

second breakfast is another favorite eating strategy of mine. Cereal at home, and then a bagel once I get to work.

Or stop at McDonalds on the way to work. Mmm, hash browns.

Also, ice cream. YUM

[Blue Moon]

Cheese sticks and full fat dairy should provide a lot of calories. When I was concerned in first tri, I would have a big glass of ice cold whole milk at night. You could even add chocolate syrup.

[orangeglow]

Aug 19, 2014 18:01:22 GMT -5 Blue Moon said:

Cheese sticks and full fat dairy should provide a lot of calories. When I was concerned in first tri, I would have a big glass of ice cold whole milk at night. You could even add chocolate syrup.

I did switch to 2% from fat free.  I don't know if I could go whole!  I do like chocolate milk though...  Actually.  I've been drinking those carnation breakfast drinks.  I had to have them after surgeries and they are still yummy to me.

[anna7602]

Add hemp protein powder to your smoothies. And cook everything in coconut oil or some other high-fat oil.

[626]

I have had a hard time keeping my weight up my whole life, with the exception of this pregnancy. I've had the appetite of a 16 year old boy and I've gained 10 lbs at 19 weeks!!

However, when I need to up the calories I drink higher fat milk, full fat yogurt, string cheese, avocados, nuts, more juice and shakes (and not the green monster smoothies, but the ones with yogurt or ice cream, fruit, juice and carnation instant breakfast).

And don't worry too much. My SIL gained very little weight even when she was full term and had a healthy 8lb baby.

How are you feeling?

[orangeglow]

I really appreciate all the suggestions.  I am still having a hard time keeping things down or - in (hello poops!).  And heartburn just started (even though I had surgery to fix that...).

Too much dairy makes me sick.  Too much fat makes me sick.  The only things that don't are fruits, very few veggies, and some carbs.  And it sometimes changes daily.  So I am trying to balance what I can eat comfortably, with what I need to eat.  I did explain all this to the OB and he was VERY understanding and told me to just keep plugging away and trying my best.

And FYI I am NOT a skinny girl by any means.  I am 5'3" and prepregnancy 186lbs.  I am hovering around 178-180 right now.  But I carry my weight weirdly and although it's "high" the OB still thinks I need to gain more if I can.  As long as baby continues to grow they won't have to put me on supplements or IV stuff or anything for now.  

626 - right NOW?  I feel so full I want to burst.  I haven't eaten anything in 6 hours and I am even having trouble drinking water even.  During the day as long as I don't eat too much at a time I don't feel too badly.  Nights are the worst.

But I am staying positive now!  Or trying really super duper hard!  Only 15 ish more weeks!

[626]

orangeglow Oh man, that stinks. I've been thinking about you. Stick to more juice and avocados and things like that if it sits well.

[jewel]

FWIW, I was still down a few pounds at 22 weeks, and then gained (at least) 2 pounds/week from 22 - 28. I didn't change a whole lot in my diet, but my body worked things out when it need to, I guess. My doctor never said anything either way.

Some things that went down easily for me where: higher or full fat dairy, nuts, avocados, Instant Breakfast powder added to anything I could (coffee, Chai lattes, smoothies, etc), dried fruit, quesadillas, cereal, subbing anything for water (juice, milk, etc), bagels with cream cheese, salami, etc. I still don't usually feel very hungry, but I've found some drinks that really hit the spot, and give me some good calories - lemonade and Bolthouse drinks/smoothies are my favorites right now.

You can do it!