Let's start back about a month ago at a prenatal appointment about a week after the holidays. I'm waiting in the room with Tim and Samuel and my midwife walks in and says with a smirk, "So, you had a good time on your cruise I see." She happens to be holding my chart and reading my stats that the nurse took a few minutes before. She said, "I could tell by the 7lbs you gained since the last time you were in." (Please note that was only about 3 1/2 weeks prior) So I laughed and told her how amazing the food was on our cruise and chuckled about all the delicious food I ate over the holidays too. She laughed and was happy for me that I finally had my appetite back.
OK... Now fast forward another four weeks. Yesterday I had another appointment with my midwife. This time there was not a smirk on her face when the scale read another 8.5 lbs heavier!!! Yes, ladies, I have gained 15.5 lbs in 2 months. How could this happen???? I was sure I'd been eating smart.
On the drive home, I started pondering about my eating habits over the past month. I realized that I'd been eating a lot of appetizer and hors d'oeuvre type food (sweets, cheese, dips, chips, puffs, etc) when I do jewelry parties. Not to mention my love for chocolate is at an all time high. Hot chocolate with whipped cream, cafe mochas, truffles, m&m's, after eight mints. Yes, I'd been having a bit of all of those. For those of you who haven't know me long. I once did not like chocolate or sweets. In fact, I'd eat a vegetable over a cookie on any given day. Then I got pregnant and it's been down hill ever since. I LOVE CHOCOLATE NOW! It's so bizarre.
So, this is my cry for help. Who out there can share some healthy, low-sugar, low-fat recipes? And does anyone have a good recipe for homemade hot chocolate with real cocoa that I can make with less sugar? We usually eat dinner around 5:30, so I'm pretty hungry again around 9:00-9:30pm and that's when I usually eat all the sweet stuff. I need a healthy alternative, yet one that makes me feel as if I'm still treating myself. Does that make sense?
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I still wouldn't worry about it, Michelle. But I will be thinking about some of my favorite "late night treats", and send any ideas your way!
One thing I do is make up a batch of choc. chip cookies. I'll make them at least half whole wheat (usually all), use raw sugar and cut the sugar by 1/3 or 1/2. Then I keep them around as a good alternative - they satisfy the craving, but they're much more filling and they don't beg for a second one the way normal cookies do. Usually one cookie will do it. My other trick is to find a whole grain cereal that I like and eat that as an after dinner snack. The complex carbs and milk sugars quell the chocolate craving. I'll let you know if I think of anything else!
Totally random commenter-I found your post thru "Sgt and Mrs hub" through Susie Sams blog (my husband was one of Matt's roommates at Elim)and just noticed the hot chocolate question: My trick is simply steaming milk and using it to melt the chocolate in. It's as simple as pan steaming (or microwaving for less mess) a mugs worth of milk and pouring it over chocolate chips and stirring untill they melt. It only takes a handful of chips to flavor it, about how many it takes to cover the bottom of a mug, and you can use any variety (the swirly ones are fun for flavored)
This is the recipe I use: (it is for 6 but, you can divide it for 2 or 3)
1/3 C. baking cocoa
1 1/2 C water
1/3 C. sugar (I use raw sugar)
dash of salt
4 1/2 c. milk (1% works well)
Heat up chocolate and water in a pan, stirring constantly until chocolate is smooth. Stir in the sugar and salt and heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in milk and heat until hot. Don't boil it or you'll get that yucky skin on top. You can beat it with a hand beater too to make it a little foamy. You can cut down the sugar in this too. Also, maybe you can try honey...just a thought.
Have you ever tried carob? That makes a yummy drink too but, it's not exactly the same as chocolate. Hope this helps a little. :)
I have a great recipe for a chocolate oil cake - it satisfies the chocolate need ( and yes, it is a need!!) but it never felt very unhealthy to me. E-mail me if you'd like it.
Pudding is a fantastic idea!! You can make that very lowfat with the type of milk you use.
I made a lot of caramel corn while I was pregnant - I made the popcorn and then made only 1/4 of the caramel recipe so it cut way down on the fat content but it was still sweet, salty and crunchy.
Hope you find something that satisfies!
-Andrea
Hi Michelle, I feel your pain. I gained 10lb in one month when I was pregnant with Abe. And I'm scared about this pregnancy as the cravings are already starting.
I love hot chocolate also, I make mine with 1 cup 1% milk, 1 TBLS cocoa powder, 1 Tbls raw sugar. The original recipe calls for 2 Tbls of both of those but using just one of each lowers the calories a little.
I hope something satisfies you soon, and I wouldn't worry too too much, you can loose it later.
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