Healthier Food Alternatives

Here is a small list of some of my favorite foods: french fries. bread/pasta. ice cream.

& if I wasn't careful I could easily be packing on some extra pounds now that I'm a washed-up, former college athlete that will never do a dead-lift or burpee again. & pregnant. It makes running tricky now that I'm belly heavy.

I've come up with a small list of suggestions on how to still eat some of your favorite foods, but in a better version of them. It's not all about weight loss, but about putting food into your body that keeps in functioning & feeling its best [but also a little bit about weight management].

1. French Fries: Choose sweet potato fries &/or red potato wedges. French fries sure do taste good. but are also fried. & don't have much nutritional value. Sweet potato fries are taaasty & so so easy to make! Lightly coat in olive oil, add some paprika [just a little, that stuff has a kick of spice!], and cook them up for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees... yum. Even good dipped in a little ketchup [which is good for fulfilling ketchup cravings]. Sweet potatoes are cheap, full of vitamins, are a good source of potassium & iron, & contain kerotins=good for eyes. Red potato wedges are also a better option; slice them up, lightly coat in olive oil, add some salt/pepper, & cook them up in the oven. These also contain significant vitamins & minerals good for the body.

2. Bread/Pasta: This is simple. Get the white out & switch to wheat/whole wheat. Be aware of sneaky bread companies that claim their bread is whole wheat, then the first ingredient they list is not whole wheat but "enriched wheat flour". You're not getting what you think you are, so look for 100% whole wheat [& double check that label]. Pasta also comes in the wheat option. It may take a couple tries to get used to the different texture, but your body will thank you for switching to a better carb. & it still tastes amazing with some spaghetti sauce & parmesan cheese.

3. Ice cream: [notice I did not cross this one out. because I love it. & still eat it.] Oh sweet sweet goodness I love ice cream. Especially with peanut butter. The key to this, in my own little opinion, is portion control. We have adorable polka dot dishes that are meant for ice cream & don't allow me to fill up a cereal sized bowl with 800 calories. We also don't buy it on a regular basis, maybe once a month. [Now that Jori girl gives me unstoppable ice cream cravings I've given in a few more times a week than I normally would. I justify it by claiming she needs more calcium. I just need my vanilla & peanut butter goodness]. An alternative to ice cream is smoothies. Cold, sweet, & creamy. But with natural sugars & a lot less calories! We buy extra fresh fruit sometimes & just freeze it up. We found this to be more economical than buying frozen fruit. Add a little low-fat vanilla or plain yogurt to the fruit in a blender & mix away. Use bananas, cocoa powder, & peanut butter for an amazing treat & a massive boost of vitamins & minerals.

These are only a few of multiple ways to replace the foods you love with healthier, but similar options. Got any other tips? I'd love to hear them :]

Jori Marie Update:
-25 weeks [26 weeks on Friday & a week away from the third trimester]
-Tiny girlfriend is the size of an eggplant, almost 2 lbs, & over 13 inches long! what a woman.
-She is kicking my bladder. a lot. but I haven't peed my pants yet [I hear this could happen!]
-Weight gain weight gain :] At my appointment Monday, the scale showed that I gained 8 pounds since my last appointment 4 weeks ago. Which is SO good. The last time I had lost 3 pounds. So I'm now within the 11-19 pound gain suggested for 25 weeks that keeps me on track for 25-35 total gain. [my total is now 14 pounds!]
-A couple instances of mild cramping... hoping this goes away & not that I'll have to end up on bed rest before my due date. How boring.
-I love her more than I could have ever imagined.