Lunch ideas? Recovering anorexic

[Lookforrainbows]

I’ve just found out I’m pregnant, I’m over the moon after ttc after a mmc in August. I’ve had issues with eating and often skipped lunch. What are your healthy go to lunches in pregnancy? I just want to be as healthy as possible

Congratulations! If you're a recovering anorexic will your doctor be able to help you with a meal plan and give support? My lunches tend to be homemade soup with wholemeal sandwiches, salads with lots of cheese and mayo, jacket potoato with cheese, beans and salad. I snack on peanut butter on toast inbetween meals too. :)

It may be a good idea to speak to a medical professional though if you're in your first trimester morning sickness and nausea might be quite triggering. Xxx

Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy and that you are a recovering anorexic. You should be so proud for coming so far!
In terms of meals, I would stick to little and often.
Making your own shakes with whole milk, or soya milk, so your getting plenty of calcium.
Try and get your greens in there, like spinach, kale etc, so you are keeping your iron levels up.
They are great if you are struggling to have a proper meal, or just something to tie you over between meals.
Eating whole fruit, as well as shakes, as the fibre content is there, so will help you with your bowels. Just not too much fruit as it might give you a few tummy problems.
Some nutrient packed salads are good too for lunches as they are light and you don't feel over loaded, but full of good stuff and fill you up.
Try looking online for pregnancy meal options and then you can pick and chose what you like 👍🏻

It depends a bit on what pregnancy sickness you end up with. Lunch was my hardest meal of the day early on. I have an eating disorder history too and it was challenging. My gp told me to just eat what I could when I could. That was bits of yoghurt and fruit at first as well as rice crackers. Then I branched out into soups and toppings on my rice crackers /ryvita. I only started managing sandwiches at about 17 weeks.
Keeping the habit of eating a particular times of day helped, when I very easily could have fallen into old habits because of how rotten food was making me feel.

Smoothies or milkshakes are good or food wise , pitta bread with chicken Greek yogurt and peppers. Stir fry, cheese crackers and chutney, tuna and jacket potato, beans on toast, tomatoes on toast, soup with bread. Dark chocolate 🍫

Depends on what you fancy, but maybe try and always have something carb, some protein/ dairy and veg/fruit with eat meal. That way you cover most food groups and can swap around. Things that can be easily assembled from the fridge or quickly heated work well.

ie ham and cheese toasty, with greek yogurt and fruit would be fine, but simple and quick to make

Congratulations! I'd say don't put too much pressure on yourself. Yes it's great to 'eat well' in pregnancy but what's most important is to eat what stays down and in your case, what sits well with you mentally. Don't force anything on yourself because you think you should have it and just take one day at a time x

If you do suffer with morning sickness, then I was advised to eat little/often with snacks between meals, and that had worked for me.

I usually have a few crisps/crackers or some toast - crunchy things seem to help allay the nausea!

You might find your appetite goes up and down over the course of the pregnancy, and I think it’s ok to eat loads when you want to, or less if you don’t feel like it. Our bodies are so clever and Personally I always advocate listening to them!

Your water intake will likely need to increase a lot - I try to have a glass or refillable bottle with me at all times

Eat across the spectrum of foods as much as your nausea/appetite allows.

Lunch ideas:

• Jacket potato with baked beans & cheese & mixed salad
• toasted muffin or bagel with a fried egg (eggs are awesome!)
• Quiche and salad
• tortilla wraps filled with yummy things; avocado, cold meats, salsa, hummus etc

Remember baby needs lots of good fats for their brain so don’t be afraid of enjoying things like avocados and cheese

I’m chuffed for you, I hope you have a great pregnancy :)