This is a time of wonder – of belly-bumps and kicks, pregnancy glow, nursery set up – the whole deal. One of the greater indulgences RookieDads can do is take on the chivalrous task of accommodating their wives’ cravings. But who can get an inordinate amount of goodies from Taco-Bell or the local pizza place and not partake? It is a yummy adventure to say the least!
Your wife is craving something yummy – let’s say a Philly Cheesesteak. You get to be that heroic guy who gets her one…and being that equal partner wanting to share in every part of this pregnancy, you get one for yourself as well. It is incredibly rewarding to see the love of your life so delighted that her taste buds are satisfied with that one culinary treat she’s been yearning for.
But here’s the catch. She’s supposed to gain lbs for the baby (though less than most people think) and essentially is eating for two. You, however, are not. So as your wife devours and metabolizes that yummy goodness, and you in turn do as well, you are gaining weight right along with her with no excuse. I’ve coined the phrase: the Craving Catch-22.
What are we to do? Your beloved needs the healthy stuff as much as she does the not-so-healthy-but-God-they’re-good treats. And you don’t need to add 25lbs before the bundle of joy comes along. Follow the strategy below and win brownie points while infusing healthy foods into her (and your) diet.
*Note: This assumes that her craving is for unhealthy stuff. If she’s craving a mixed green salad with balsamic vinegar dressing and tofu – clearly, indulge her and disregard the below.
1) The Preemptive Strike: Your emotional wife wants and needs as much love from you as possible. Show your love through the gesture of cooking for her. Fix it healthily and before the craving comes and she’s not only eating a good and more healthy meal, she’ll appreciate the loving gesture, and your gut and heart won’t suffer from an unhealthy food indulgence.
Some excellent options are breakfast foods made with 2% cheese, Eggbeaters, whole wheat toast, and fresh fruit. Boca and Smartground make excellent soy meat substitutes that are great for taco dinners (with 2% cheese, fresh veggies, etc.) or chili (let me know and I’ll post my amazing meatless chili recipe – quick, easy, and delicious!). Extra firm tofu is a great experiment for everything from stir-fry Chinese food, to burritos, and there’s a ton of options out there for low-fat high nutrient treats. Try No-Pudge brownies made with yogurt and splenda – a yummy and healthy treat for mommy.
2) The Outlast Method: Now I’m not saying be deceptive here, but if you can imply that either you need to wait due to a chore, work, or just that you aren’t hungry, and supply her with a healthy alternative to tide her over, you will find that her craving is less strong and your suggestion of a healthy alternative is better received. Try, “Honey, tell you what. Let me get you a snack and that’ll give me a chance to load the dishes into the dishwasher,” or fold some clothes, or do some yardwork, etc. Give her a handful of baby carrots fresh from the fridge or 20 or so almonds or a yogurt or some Reduced-Fat Triscuits and Laughing Cow cheese. Take a minimum of 35 minutes to do whatever it is that you said you were going to do. Her reduced eating capacity, reduced hunger, and increased satiation will result in either an absence of craving, or more likely receptivity to a healthier option. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
3) The Counter-weight Technique: So some of these tips are suggesting that you don’t eat the food your wife is craving. There is another way. Make exercise a precondition for the unhealthy treat. This is low impact stuff I’m talking about. Do a prenatal-yoga (on DVD) with her or take a 30 minute walk with her at a brisk pace. The result of the exercise will have multiple effects: It will increase endorphins in your wife thereby redering a negative hormonal response to something stupid we might do or say later less likely. Exercise is essential for the health and development of the baby in utero. And it often results in a desire for a healthier option after the exercise is done. In addition, cravings tend to lose their strength by waiting – i.e. the time it takes to finish that walk. Worse case scenario is that it will help counteract the mass of calories you are about to take in by satisfying the craving for Krispy Kreme doughnuts and french fries.
4) The Eenie-Meenie Method: Also known as the having-your-cake-and-eating-it-too method, the Eenie-Meenie Method is in essence a compromise. Eat extremely healthy snacks and meals throughout the day and allow yourself an indulgence in the evening, and choose the days you plan to do this – hence the eenie-meenie method (as in eenie-meenie-miney-moe). There are virtues to preplanning indulgence. For certain personality types, it becomes a challenge to stick to the plan, while for others the prospect of the upcoming reward becomes a wonderful thing to look forward to. Allow two indulgence days in the first trimester, three in the second trimester, and four in the third trimester. Try to never have more than one indulgence day in a row. Give it a try – I think you’ll find that you can have your cake, fried pickles and onion-rings, and eat them too (but only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s).
Heard of any other good techniques to promote healthy eating for mommy and tread the fine-line of the Craving Catch-22? Let us know.
-RookieDad Sean
