Protein in Pregnancy

[protein-girl]

Hi,

Can any one advise me regarding the amount of protein recommended during pregnancy? I'd especially be interested to hear from women who have had a PP pregnancy. Did you increase your protein? Did you continue to use protein supplements such as WPI/WPC when pregnant? (I"ve read protein supplements are not recommend during pregnancy - but I'm not entirely sure why this would be?)

Any comments/thoughts would be greatly appreciated

PG

[Thedabara]

Hi protein girl. I just went through a succseeful PP pregnancy. Matthew was born May 17th... I followed PP about 85% of the pregnancy. Non pregnant, my minimum protein was 67 grams. I upped that to 90 grams during pregnancy. Most of the time though, pregnant or not, I eat more than that. On average I got about 100- 120 grams of protein a day. I upped my protein on my own....no doctor told me to, and none told me not to. it just 'felt' right. I also included alot of good fats...I do that anyway. The only time I supplemented was when I wanted chocolate milk. Then I used a chocolate whey protein powder. I haven't a clue whether or not that helped, or hindered anything.
I hope this helps...keep in mind, this was just what i did on my own...
jenny

[protein-girl]

THanks for that Jenny I appreciate hearing about your experience. I can't imagine why supplementing protein with whey powder would be any different to eating a steak? Actually I did ask someone at the health food store and got the "protein being hard on your kidney's" line. At which I rolled my eyes and politely exited the store!!!!

[Gaelen]

I can't imagine why supplementing protein with whey powder would be any different to eating a steak?

Protein-girl, I'm not pregnant, but I have had a lot of experience these past two years with nausea levels that have eerie similarities to morning sickness. The way supplementing protein with whey powder is different from eating a steak is that, sometimes, your body may not *let* you eat a steak...or cook a steak...or smell food cooking...or handle raw anything. Nausea can be a harsh mistress, as can pregnancy hormones. ;)

Seriously...you may not believe it at this moment (and if you're being spared pregnancy-associated nausea, thank the goddess! ;)) Meanwhile...that whey protein Thedabara mentioned can be a huge help. On nausea days, I often make a protein shake (or two), keep it chilled, and sip on it throughout the day. Eating small amounts slowly can also be something that will help you later on, when the baby is taking up a lot of abdominal area, and you'll feel full faster. Hope this helps!

[protein-girl]

Hi Gaelen, I know what you are saying regarding nausea. I guess what I meant to say - but didn't express it very well - was that the way the body has to "process" or metabolise the protein coming from a steak would be similar to protein supplements. I'd be interested to know if anyone has an answer to this?

[dvdmon]

I would stay away from the protein supps if you can and eat real food, which is always preferrable. Are you having a problem getting enough protein in? I heard somewhere that adding protein can actually help with nausia, but I don't have a reference for that, so take it for what it's worth.

My wife did not exactly do PP, but after getting diagnosed with GD, she started eating much closer to it. She basically kept taking her blood sugar after each meal and figured out how many carbs she could eat without triggering her BS to go up too high. She was still able to eat more carbs than I do, maybe 100g or more per day, without having her numbers go up much...