I need your help coming up with ideas

I need calories! I have to go against everything that my brain tells me is what I need to be doing. 

Brief background. Went to work today, felt OK. Remember I am almost 30 week pregnant. About 9am started to feel a little off, well by 9:30 I was dizzy, sometimes happens when my bladder gets full (crazy pregnancy thing lol) so I got up, stood there for a second and started walking the 50 feet or so to the ladies room, well got 2/3 of the way there and thought that I was going to pass out. Barely made it to the ladies room and had to get someone to come in and I sat down. Cold sweat, shaking nauseous - REALLY was sure I was down for the count. After about 10 minutes of patting my head and neck down with cold towels I was able to get up. I walked maybe 10 feet to a chair and it happened again! Of course by now 1/2 of the office is surrounding me and worried. I call the OB and she thinks low blood sugar and/;or low blood pressure. I swipe someone's apple juice from the fridge (sorry guys! lol no one was claiming it) and ate some cheese and crackers - still not better. Lay down on my bosses couch for a while and end up calling someone to come get me (I can't drive obviously).

OB calls back later in the day and tells me to eat more - basically constantly. I know I am usually completely able to come up with food ideas but I am fuzzy. I need things that are calorie dense, rich in protein and easy on the pouch (also dealing with some morning/ all day sickness agian so things aren't sitting well). Pretty much I have to double what I am taking in as far as protein, calories and carbs go.

I am thinking full fat ricotta, cooking in butter, more carbs, protein shakes, greek yogurt added to shakes, lots of peanut butter, bits of meat and crackers.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks all

Liz

Liz, have you been eating 5-6 times a day? If not, I would start with that.

As for what you eat, you have some good ideas. Can you package up leftovers from dinner as tomorrow's lunch? Yes to Greek yogurt, baby bel cheese, sliced ham and turkey deli meats, ricotta, PB on whole grain crackers.  Oatmeal with protein powder stirred in. Try using beef or pork instead of chicken or fish as entrees to get more calories. Take single serving cans or pouches of tuna along (again, have this with crackers).

I think this is where the rubber meets the road - you are REALLY pregnant now! Hope tomorrow is a better day!

Thanks Lynn - I eat at least 7-8 times a day (I had to add an extra morning and afternoon snack a while ago). I always take leftovers for lunch.

Thanks for the ideas!

Liz,
OMG this was happening to me and my doctor made me put on a heart monitor because I almost fainted in the shower. Here I was almost 3 months pregnant. When I was pregnant I was eating every 2 hours and always carried PB crackers. Not the best thing but helped with the nauseau and low blood sugars. I still suffer from hypoglycemia and Dr. P seems to think it's because I am not eating often. I have gotten better at it and my rule of thumb is eat every 2-3 hours. Time yourself if you have to. I did and it does work. If you have to increase calories don't eat refined carbs still follow you WLS guidelines and get the increased calories from fiber rich, dense protein food it will help with the low sugar levels. Secretly I am jealous you get to eat so often. lol

Liz, I ate alot of cheese and meat. Kept several baggies in my lunch tote at my desk. Also, I know bad......but snaked on pretzels and crackers at times. Only a few but enough to make me feel better.

I would also make tuna salad to keep in a container, and would dip crackers in it. That way I could eat a few here and there to fill in. these are some ideas for work.

As far as cooking meals at home, try butter, adding a little pasta, potatoes, or even toast an Arnolds sandwich thin to go with dinner, they taste great toasted with a little butter.

Hope you feel better soon!

I ate more cheese and meat as well.. I also did pretzels.. lol Jojo and I must have been wanting the same things!!

I did alot of chicken salad and pickles. my sodium was really low so i would eat the little baby dills.  I ate peanut butter on toast or the thins.

I always carried a snack with me in the car, pretzels, banana or even alittle container of OJ.. i would use the low sugar kind..

I'm wondering if part of this isn't reactive hypoglycemic - worsened due to the pregnancy.  I would definately increase a few things...protein...frequency...and salt just to be sure.  I love the idea of pickles.  Even though it is kind of cliche for a pregnant woman to be eating them, lol (just don't put them on your ice cream, ok?)

What about string cheese wrapped with deli meat? 

As far as the nausea goes...you still have zofran?  If that's not working ask for something like compazine.

And if  you have to eat let's say one string cheese w/ deli meat every 1 hr or so to get it in, go ahead and do so.  HT when pregnant w/ the twins literally ate a few bites every 1/2 hr or so most of the time, including during the night, whenever she got up.

Watch the carbs - I'd try to do whole grain if anything...again...worried about increase in reactive hypoglycemic....

Thanks ladies.

I have a whole bunch of food for today. I was eating every 1 1/2 -2 hours something protein and carbs (I was told to balance them early out). Now she does want me to eat more of the things Pam mentioned - protein and salt. My BP resting is always 102/62 (or in that very close range). We tested my blood sugar several times yesterday at my Mom's and it was always perfect. 113 after eating a cheeseburger, potato chips and 2 pickles (see MOm had the sodium thing down! lol)

Thanks all! It's just got me upset. I am afraid that they are going to put me on bed rest or at least not allow me to come to work if I can't get this under wraps and that really scares me. OF COURSE baby's and my health is the most important and we'll figure out the $ thing if we have to. Those that know me well know I am not used to being the one that isn't in control.

Thanks as always for all you do

Liz

Everyone has already given you wonderful suggetions. I just wanted to let you know I will be thinking about you and hope you get this under control, and start feeling better soon. (((hugs)))

I also wonder if you would get any insights or ideas from the nut at Barix.