Dr. Luke's Eating Guides - How?

Ok, so I sent an email through their website hoping for some insight on how much less I should be eating. She says someone who is obese should gain less than her normal recommended amount (31-36 pounds instead of closer to 50) but she doesn't give any tips on how to do it. So, I've simply been trying to focus on good carbs, protein, fruit and veggies, dairy and staying hydrated. I am not hitting ANY of the amount except the 100 grams of protein I was told to get in. I'm only getting that the past few days with a protein shake at the end of the day getting me to that level!

Some days I'm hungry and I eat more and get close to the amount, some days I'm thirsty and I have to force myself to eat because my stomach is full of water. How do I get it all in me? I know I don't need everything she says, but I'm not even coming close on some things and it's frustrating.

 

Honestly, I never paid any attention to what I was "supposed" to be intaking. I probably ate less during the twins pregnancy than any other time in my life, there was no room to put it, nor did i even want it. My babies were big when they were born so I must have did something right-LOL. Just keep drinking your protien shakes, take your vitamins and try not to stress about it.

 

I just wanted to let you know that I was in your boat and was vegetarian at the time. Plus I had morning sickness the entire pregnancy and only made it back to my prepregnancy weight 7 weeks before I delivered (down 30 pounds, delivered at 30 pounds higher, would have been less if it wasn't for pre-eclampsia, then lost 60 pounds within two weeks after delivery). A&R were early but they had no NICU time. IMO it is healthier to eat an apple or a banana than a processed protein shake. Eat healthy, don't worry about the proportions of dairy/meat/veggies and enjoy your pregnancy.

 

Well, the protein shakes are just a regular shake with protein powder added so they aren't too bad. Unless my DH keeps putting in a few drops of strawberry extract instead of peanut butter. Sweet of him to make it but the peanut butter was specifically added to hide the taste of the protein powder, blech!

I guess I'll just keep doing my best! At 14 weeks it already feels like I need to eat less at a time and I'm less hungry than I was in the first trimester.

 

Way back when I was on the expecting board it seemed like everyone was following Dr. Luke's diet. I tried, but there was no way I could do it and I think trying to eat that much protien and fat contributed to my gall stone problem. I'm with Bex, just focus on eating healthily and staying hydrated. Eat to your hunger level. As your twins get bigger, switch to grazing, rather than meals. Just try to eat healthy things all day long because you're stomach will probably always feel full. I was working full time and I would line my snacks up on my desk and just always be nibbling on them--then I would nap during my lunch hour rather than going to eat.

 

I feel your pain! I am plus size too. I am 22 weeks and I have gained only 10 lbs. After I found out at 19 weeks we were having twins I really worked on eating better. My next appointment I had ketones in my urine so they told me I really needed to eat more. So I have written down everything I eat for the last 2.5 weeks. I am forcing myself to eat 3 meals plus 2-3 snacks a day! I have about 3000 calories and 150-175+ gm of protein and I still haven't gained any weight. I feel that eating healthy protein meals is much better for me than getting the 3500 calories Dr. Luke says but eating Burger King and milkshakes every day! Most days I have a 2 egg omelet with WW toast for breakfast. Cottage cheese or cheddar cheese, fruit, etc for a snack, salad with chicken or steak for lunch, and 4 cups of milk a day plus regular dinner.

With my other pgs I didn't worry about what I ate, just ate when I was hungry and ate fairly healthy.

I want to get to term and have big healthy babies but I want to get there with healthy eating! Later on when I am having more trouble getting enough protein down I will probably add in protein shakes; my midwife recommended it if I am having problems getting enough protein but right now I am getting plenty with my diet.

 

Oh and my midwife said a quart of milk or equivalent a day. That is my 4 cups of milk. I rarely drank milk before. I added a bit of chocolate to begin with to start drinking it. I am drinking whole milk for the fat and calories. I have 2 cups in the morning usually when I first get up and then in the afternoon or at bedtime. Lots of water in between.....

I worry that I am not doing/eating enough but my DH told me yesterday to "Do my best and let God do the rest!" so that is what I am trying to do!

My friend is 36 weeks pg with twins and she has only gained 25 lbs eating lots of protein and veggies.

 

I didn't have a problem with the overall calories, since I was constantly hungry. But I chose not to make myself crazy trying to figure out how many grams of what I was eating. I just tried to make it heavy on protein and fats (yay!), and filled in the cracks with vegetables and fruit.

I upped the protein by having a milkshake with a couple of scoops of whey protein nearly every night before bed. :ibiggrin:

 

I, too, read and tried to follow (some of) Dr. Luke's recommendations, but found it nearly impossible. I remember that some of the snacks she recommended were as big as my meals. I just could not consume so much food. I've never been a big eater and pregnancy doesn't change that. I did my best and did the protein drinks. I'd give the same advice, just do your best and eat what is a comfortable amount/variety for you.

 

My MFM nutritionist told me to throw Barbara Luke's book away. She said gaining 50lbs will only get you diabetes, not healthier babies.

I'm very petite to begin with -- 5'3" and 105lbs and she told me 35lbs was a good number to aim for.

I'm at 17.5 weeks today and up about 9lbs, so I think I'm on track. I've noticed this past week I've gained 2-3lbs, so I should hit 35lbs no problem by the end of term.

I was also very very sick at the beginning of my pregnancy, but now I'm eating super healty. Lots of leafy greens, beans, chicken, red meat 3x per week, quinoa, kale, tofu, fruit! I love it all and feel great that I'm helping these babies.

At my 16week appt my babies were 6oz and 5oz, which is big so I know they are getting enough nourishment.

 

My MFM nutritionist told me to throw Barbara Luke's book away. She said gaining 50lbs will only get you diabetes, not healthier babies.

I'm very petite to begin with -- 5'3" and 105lbs and she told me 35lbs was a good number to aim for.

I'm at 17.5 weeks today and up about 9lbs, so I think I'm on track. I've noticed this past week I've gained 2-3lbs, so I should hit 35lbs no problem by the end of term.

I was also very very sick at the beginning of my pregnancy, but now I'm eating super healty. Lots of leafy greens, beans, chicken, red meat 3x per week, quinoa, kale, tofu, fruit! I love it all and feel great that I'm helping these babies.

At my 16week appt my babies were 6oz and 5oz, which is big so I know they are getting enough nourishment.

 

I don't think Dr. Luke's clinic has a higher rate of Gestational Diabetes. I think it's because it's not just about gaining weight but HOW you do it.

 

Carbohydrates are what affects your blood sugar on a day to day basis, so a protein heavy diet, while higher in calories, will not have really any affect on your glucose levels, **UNLESS** you gain so much weight that your body is unable to use the insulin produced by your body. Short term vs. long term.

 

FWIW, I gained 70 lbs (from a starting point of 5'4" and 130 lbs) and did not get any kind of diabetes. I'm now at 125 lbs and quite healthy.

The main point I took from the book was that, unlike a singleton pregnancy where they always tell you to focus on veggies and low-fat, high-nutrition foods, for a multiple pregnancy your body needs more protein and, yes, fat. Not necessarily carbs, although goodness knows I ate enough of those too.

 

Yeah, I couldn't do it at first, either.

What I did was use a online calorie counter for about a week to get my calories up as I'm not usually calorie conscious.

Then, after I figured out that I was only getting about 2,700, while I worked I used to eat 2 english muffins with cheese and canadian bacon in the car, then an hour later an ensure, then an hour later a bowl of cereal high in fiber & milk, then at lunch a BIG lunch with meat, then a snack 2 hours later, then a snack in the car to munch on, then dinner, then a snack, then usually bed. Sometimes if I couldn't sleep I'd eat a little, too. Gestating twins really is a full-time job. I'd bring in a HUGE bag of food for the day. :lol:

I also gained 70 lbs and I'm not tiny. I had no problems with g.d. nor did I have preemies or tiny babies. They weren't huge, but I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't eaten all that much.