When you’re pregnant you constantly hear that old adage, well you’re eating for two right before someone hands you another helping or second slice of cake. Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m so tired of it! This isn’t your mom’s or your grandma’s pregnancy. Times and studies have changed to reveal that the old belief that you can eat double your intake and not worry about how much calories you consume during pregnancy, just isn’t true. So put down that third cookie and pick up an apple!

This outdated belief that pregnancy is a chance to eat whatever you want for 9 months with no guilt should be out the window. Instead, we should be thinking about how everything we consume during pregnancy has a big impact on our children’s health during and after the pregnancy. If you subsist on cheeseburgers and milkshakes for 9 months you’re more likely to get gestational diabetes and have an overweight child.

Instead of eating whatever you want, because you’re not worried about your weight, maybe consider that what you put in your mouth impacts your child’s health. I am trying my best to eat healthy for two. Of course, I’m not perfect and I’ve had days where pizza sounded better than a salad. I also do indulge in the occasional cookie or ice cream. For the most part though I order salads when I eat out and consume fish and red meat for iron and protein. I want my baby to grow strong and not be overweight (mostly because I have to push him out).

I also exercise as much as I have energy for, because the stronger you are the more prepared you’ll be for childbirth. These days they believe you should workout 30 minutes 5 days a week. I manage 3-4 days. I try to walk though and hike when I can. I’m determined to keep this boy healthy and myself healthy.

I’m not trying to shame anyone. I simply want to acknowledge that the old ways of pregnancy aren’t correct anymore. We as women need to push back against this “eating for two” adage. This is incorrect. I can’t even eat double my normal diet in one sitting. If I do I either puke or feel like I might. Instead we need to eat several small meals a day and if at least two of them can be healthy that’s great!

Here are some tips that help me eat well and stay in shape:

Exercise– I quit my gym back in the fall and decided to invest the $160 in BeachBody on demand. If you spread that cost across a year it is less than most gym memberships. Now, I have the freedom to workout from my smartphone anytime, anywhere. I simply purchased a few dumbbell weights and a yoga mat and before I was pregnant, I did LIIFT4, 21 Day Fix, P90x, Slim6, etc. They even have prenatal workouts divided into trimesters. I don’t know about you, but at the gym I felt lost and probably was doing everything wrong. Now, I have guidance and great workouts to stay in shape pre, during, and post pregnancy. Prenatal Yoga is the best! On days I don’t feel up for it, I at least try to walk around a lot.

Here is my pregnancy meal plan:

Breakfast– oatmeal, yogurt, or cottage cheese with blueberries and banana. Or a Smoothie with carrots, frozen spinach, avocado, milk (lactose free for me), greek yogurt, blueberries, frozen blackberries. I switch this recipe up depending on what I’ve got.

Lunch- At home-healthy salad with romaine lettuce or spinach, beets, feta, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and carrots with chicken on top sometimes or I occasionally eat leftovers. Eating out for lunch I order Cobb Salad most of the time to get protein and greens.

Dinner- grilled chicken or salmon with grilled veggies like asparagus or zucchini. Or we make quesadillas with ground turkey meat or shredded chicken and refried beans and loose black beans and cheddar cheese. Or stir fry with fresh veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, and then tofu, chicken, or shrimp for protein.

Snacks– I generally keep almonds in my purse on the go. I also eat bananas, grapes, blueberries, carrots and hummus, olives, and I’ll admit I occasionally cheat and have chips.

I’m 20 weeks pregnant and I’ve not gained any weight yet. Of course, it is important that I start gaining weight, so I will try to eat more in the coming weeks. I feel great though!