Cravings made healthy

I had NO idea what power pregancy cravings had over the prenatal woman until of course I got pregnant. These cravings can come when you least expect it...after a morning sickness episode...durning a morning sickenss episode, in the middle of the night, at the slightest hint of some food mentioned by a friend. And then what happens? You HAVE to have it or you might die...or at least that's what it feels like. But living off of Taco Bell and shells and cheese might not cut it for the whole nine months, so the last week or so, I have craved and then karate chopped my cravings with similar foods with more nutritional substance and not as many calories*


Here are some of my major, die-without cravings and how I've made them "healthy" for me and my baby.

Velveeta Shells and Cheese:

A box of this packs a ton of calories. Yes...I said a box, cuz really, is a ravenous, craving pregnant woman really going to stop at 1/3 of the recipe? I think not.

STATS: 990 calories, 36 grams of fat.

VS

Smart Ones Creamy Mac and Cheese:

Still the whole thing, but it's portion controlled so I have been less likely to make 3 boxes and can be satisfied with just one :)

STATS: 270 calories, 2 grams of fat.

Taco Bell 5-layer Beefy Burrito:

Hey! Don’t judge…I know it’s gross…but man…I crave this like crazy! Where did it come from? I suspect the baby knows all about Taco Bell and other fast food from his daddy!

STATS: 550 calories, 22 grams of fat.

VS

Homemade bean and cheese burrito:

Still delish and really hits the spot with protein and cheese, but it's just ¼ cup fat free spicy refried beans, ¼ cup reduced fat cheddar cheese all hot and rolled up in a Mission Carb Control Whole Wheat fajita sized tortilla.

STATS: 220 calories, 8 grams of fat.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Any restaurant carrot cake will do, but these stats are from Outback Steakhouse…it’s delish, but not so much nutritionally sound.

STATS: 1,200 calories, 28 grams of fat.

VS

Weight Watchers Carrot Crème Cake:

Seriously still satisfying without eating a quarter of an actual cake.

STATS: 90 calories, 3.5 grams of fat

Grilled Cheese

Ooey-Gooey and oh so cravable, right? But if you’re like me, you crave 5 slices of cheese on thick, white Texas toast with a crisp buttery outside.

STATS: 510 calories, 30 grams of fat.

VS

Cheese Quesadilla:

These have become an absolute staple for me and it totally hits the grilled cheese spot! One Mission Carb Control Whole Wheat fajita sized tortilla with 1/3 cup reduced fat cheddar grilled to crispy, gooey perfection!

STATS: 183 calories, 10 grams of fat

So those are just a few examples and I am definitely not saying to not go for your “real” craving every once in a while, but it’s also important to keep a majority of you caloric intake reserved for fruits and veggies and lean protein and whole grains and such.

Also, just because my healthier versions of my personal cravings have much lower calorie and fat values, does not mean that I’m promoting weight loss or calorie restriction during pregnancy. I believe that gaining the recommended 25-35 pounds (for a person at a healthy pre-pregnancy weight) is necessary. But to go over that, can sometimes cause complications with pregnancy such high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, babies with a high fat percentage. Not to mention that it will take longer to get back to your pre-baby weight!

Just some things to think about.