Shakeology and Pregnancy

When I first became pregnant I was questioning whether or not it was a good decision to take Shakeology while pregnant.

I mean you usually would stop taking any supplements during this time, however shakeology is not like a normal supplement!

Shakeology is an all natural drink, no artificial sweeteners, flavoring, dyes... it truly is the purest source of nutrients made up of over 70 super foods.  so why question it.... Well if you haven't been pregnant yet... YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU BECOME PREGNANT!
YOU QUESTION EVVVVVVEERRRRRYYYTHINGGGG!!!

There are so many things on the **DO NOT EAT** list-- so you always want to be safe!

SO.... for me, and my lovely morning ... cough cough... ALL DAY... Sickness, I was not really able to even stomach shakeology for a good three to four months anyways.  So the question of taking it, really wasn't an option.

However as I started to feel better, I really missed my shakes and all the energy they gave me.  So I decided I needed to look a little bit more into this!

I was torn, because Shakeology is ALL NATURAL! I mean you really don't have anything to worry about if you eat things all natural, so I kind of thought it was silly of me to put so much concern on taking it.  However with babies you have to just be so cautious, so I decided to look into it a little bit more and then speak with my doctor.

**PRINT OUT THE INGREDIENT LIST AND BRING IT ON IN TO THE DOCS!**


After speaking with my doc and getting back to reality(pre pregnancy brain) and re-realizing that shakeology truly is THE BEST nutrients your body can get- EVEN WHILE PREGNANT, I just tweaked a few things here and there and decided to get back on shakeology train!

Doc said STOP TAKING PRENATAL WHILE ON SHAKEOLOGY AND DRINK YOUR SHAKE WITH A FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENT!

It was that easy!!!  No more HUGE HORSE PILLS to take every day!!  Just simple easy nutrition in a glass a day!  Not to mention IT TASTES LIKE DESSERT!
and what PREGNANT mama doesn't like to have some dessert !

So why no prenatal and adding in the folic acid???
When you are pregnant however, you do not want to over load your body with vitamins because certain vitamins like Vitamin A in access can harm your baby- so you cannot be on both the prenatal vitamin and shakeology.  You need to choose which one to be on.
You can alternate days, or just take your prenatal on those days you don't feel like a shake.





On the days you drink your shakeology, you do need to pair it with a folic acid.  Folic Acid helps to protect your beautiful bundle from a serious birth defect that affects the brain and spinal cord.

I would also recommend EATING your folic acids as well!

Here is a great chart of natural sources of folic acids to add into your diet as well!

SO WHY SHAKEOLOGY??

This is my third pregnancy and first go around being on Shakeology.  I can tell you that I have never felt better throughout my pregnancies.  

I was so fatigued throughout my other pregnancies, many times sick, I suffered from acne, migraines and other various sicknesses (since your immune system is down).  

Not to mention I had way more cravings for that lovely CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM!! 

**don't get me wrong, I still have some.... and yes still eat it in moderation, But its nothing like it was!**

This time around..... I have been feeling great! (minus the first 3 months or so with morning sickness)

I have had the energy to keep up with my workouts and actually STAY FIT throughout my pregnancy! 

I have barely been sick at all! No migraines! Much clearer skin and barely any cravings.  

I'd say that is a TOTAL WIN on the Pregnancy scale!!! 

I am now only 2 weeks away from delivery and I have gained 22lbs.  I am still working out (while listening to my body) and still have great energy! 

I am so thankful I decided to keep Shakeology in my routine this pregnancy!

If your a pregnant Mama and want to know more about this please contact me! 

I always recommend speaking with your doctor FIRST as I did and then I can get you some Samples to try out! 

Wishing you a healthy pregnancy!! 

CHEERS TO YOU AND YOUR BUMP !

Fit and Healthy Pregnancy

How to have a fit and healthy 1st Trimester

Here are my current 11 week pregnancy "bump photos."

Ok so you may not see a "bump" per say. But the reason why I am sharing this, is to show you the importance of eating clean and working out pre pregnancy!  

When you are able to be in shape before you get pregnant, your muscles contain keep shape for much longer. Some people may not care about this... but this is a great way to avoid stretch marks! When your belly grows so fast, your skin does not have time to slowly stretch out.. instead it causes marks- aka stretch marks.  

Also when you have strong abdominal muscles, you will be able to avoid many pregnancy pains, as your muscles and ligaments will hold the baby up stronger, and protect your back.  It will also aid in the delivery of your baby, and you will be able to bounce back to your  pre pregnancy body much faster! 

so how do we maintain these muscles and "figure" during pregnancy? 

It is through continued exercise and clean eating. 

Today I want to talk about nutrition. I will post later on the fitness side! 

Eating properly during pregnancy can be a tricky thing!


Many woman tend to take the EATING FOR 2 literally and eat double the amount of what they used to eat... hence all the added weight gain!
Did you know the healthy weight to gain during pregnancy is only 18-30 lbs! If you start out under weight they want you to gain more.
Based on my BMI, they recomend I gain 25-35 lbs.. honestly in my opinion I think that's even too much, because I was at a healthy weight prior to getting pregnant...  Yet many woman even far exceed this!!!!

my BMI is 19.4
aka starting weigh 120 and height at 5'6

Here is the break down.....

 

So Eating for 2 is not supposed to mean double the amount of food you are shoveling into your mouth and let loose!!!
Eating for 2 refers to the fact that we need to INCREASE certain vitamins and minerals in our bodies, along with being extra cautious and aware of what we are putting into our bodies.
See -we don't only have ourselves to account for... we are feeding a fragile little baby as well!
When your baby is born are you going to pump her with sugary foods like cakes, ice creams and donuts? or are you going to take caution and feed her only the best of the best! Breast feed if you can, and then use the best baby foods if you don't make your own to ensure the health and safety of your baby??

If you WOULD NOT feed your baby donuts right out of the womb... then I do not suggesting consuming them on a regular basis being pregnant either!
Everything you PUT INTO YOUR BODY... GOES INTO YOUR BABIES!!!

So yes, eating healthy needs to start now! If you have not been eating right prior to your pregnancy... it is time to re-evaluate the situation and do what is best for not only your child, but your own health!!! Your baby is going to need a healthy mama to take care of her... so Learn the basics and learn to eat the RIGHT foods for your new pregnant body!

Most pregnant women need to consume more protein along with more of certain vitamins such as folic acid, calcium and iron.  We also need a bit more calories- in the second and third trimester, to increase our energy.
In the second trimester we need an extra 300 calories a day and in the third about 450.  (this is in proportion to a person who is already starting out at a healthy weight and on a healthy diet!)

If you don't know how many calories you should be eating, click HERE.
To maintain my weight I need to be eating 2026 (since I am not currently working out intensely) .
So when I enter my second and third trimester I will just add those extra  HEALTHY calories needed.

Remember not all calories are created equal!!

Here is a perfect example...

Be wise about how you consume those 400 calories! 

(remember pregnancy is not a time to cut calories or try to lose weight!!! You have all the time after the baby is born to do so! )

In pregnancy the First trimester can really be difficult sometimes. I know first hand all too well the woahs of morning sickness or shall I say all day sickness! ----- NOT FUN!

I am currently 11 weeks, with my 3rd child.. and still battling morning sickness! This can really make it difficult to eat the right things or even eat at all!!!

Which is why it is super important to take a good prenatal, especially if your not getting the proper nutrients through your diet!!!
Here is what I take...

Before I was pregnant I really did not eat a lot of starchy carbs. My diet many consisted of fruits, veggies, nuts and meat/protein.  I had maybe a serving or two of starchy carbs a day, but that was it.
Being sick, it seems like all your stomach can handle is starchy carbs!

So here is what I do....
First thing in the morning I make sure to eat a healthy breakfast (because I tend to get sick after ).  I have found that if I eat right away, my stomach does not get as upset.

Also eat small frequent meals throughout the day.
My breakfast will either be something like over night oats or Eggs wih a piece of whole wheat (no high fructose) toast.

As soon as I start to feel nauseated I will make my Rooiboost tea.

This helps to ease the nausea.  When I don't feel like I can eat anything but toast, then that's what I do. I eat whole wheat or Eziekiel bread.

 Or some whole wheat crackers.

I keep my options HEALTHIER, even though I may be consuming more of them than normal.

When I feel good enough, I use this time to pack in the nutrients!!! Steamed veggies, salads, fruits, nuts... I try to make everything I put in my mouth nutritious.   This way I know our baby is getting what he/she needs!

Here are a few charts to go by to make sure your getting the right nutrients...

Here are some foods loaded with protein.. you may be surprised as to which ones have the most!

 Here are foods high in Iron

And foods high in Calcium...

**NOTE** To increase absorption, do not eat calcium along with foods high in iron, pair foods high in vitamin C along with foods high in Iron, so that it is fully absorbed! 

I hope this will help you have a healthy pregnancy! 

I will be updating my blog for other health advice and pregnancy info :) 

Also please follow me on Instagram @Fearless_and_Fit

and facebook.  

Much love and blessings to you NEW and BEAUTIFUL mamas!