My back is creaky from having slept last night in one of the little girl beds in my little girls’ room. I use the phrase “having slept” loosely, because there were many, many times when I leapt from that little girl bed to cross the room and help Felicity.
Poor little gal. She told me yesterday evening that she felt sick…and sick she really was. I lost count of the number of times she threw up—as I’ve said, there were many—and the cruel part about this particular virus is that it didn’t care in the end that her stomach was empty. On and on throughout the night it went, and Felicity (as is her way when she’s ill) whimpered once or twice but mostly coped.
She is such a trooper that way, and I am struggling to learn from her example.
You see, I got a call from the doctor yesterday with the results from last Thursday’s appointment. For the most part, things look really good. “There were a couple of things, though,” my doctor began, and I steeled myself for what they might be. It turns out I tested positive for Group-B Strep, which is nothing new I always do, but I also showed signs of hypothyroidism. My doctor listed the potential risks involved with this condition and the one that stood out the most was mental retardation in my baby.
So yes, I was willing to go on the low dose medication she prescribed.
I wondered out loud if the hypothyroidism might be to blame for all my weight gain. Certainly it can’t be those chips and guacamole, right? Right? I have always snacked to help me through the first trimester nausea, yet never before have I gained so much so fast. I am truly packing it on, my friend, and it’s disconcerting.
My doctor said that yes, the hypothyroidism might be responsible in part, but that my age and decreased metabolism were also factors. She then spoke the words that I’ve been loathe to hear.
Three words: Low carb diet.
She said that I would do well to cut out the white sugar, white flour, white rice, and white potatoes. The thing is, I really like white! White is my friend when the chips are down and did I just say chips? Waaaah!
Please tell me that I will still have something left to live for after I’ve given up the pasta & chips & baked goods. Please tell me that I can do this, and then tell me how I can.
My pantry thanks you.
All for the greater glory of God, in good times and bad times and impossibly hard times,
*Updated half an hour later to Add:
Felicity just came down the stairs. Her eyes are shining and the color is back in her cheeks! She is currently sipping some 7-Up and chattering about the glass of water she had at 3:00 a.m. It actually stayed down! “And do you know what else helped?” she asked me. I looked down at those huge brown eyes and asked her, “What?”
“I prayed.”
Truer, more encouraging words were never spoken.
Oh, Margaret. How awful. Okay, let’s think of all the tasty things you can eat: peanut butter, bacon . . . okay, I’m stuck. Do you have the “Hungry Girl” cookbook by Lisa Lillien? Have you trekked over to Trader Joe’s? They have all those lovely nut butters and whole grain breads and such.
Your doctor didn’t say no brown sugar, right? There’s always that. That would be my hardest thing. I love sweets. Of course that is a carb, so I’m sure you couldn’t get by with that either.
You can do this. You want to be healthy in order to take care of your family. There are hundreds of websites devoted to low carb diets. There are even a few low carb cooking shows on Food Network. I even think the “Y” in your area offers some help. Concentrate on protein and you’ll do fine. I’ll send a few prayers your way!
And just in time for Thanksgiving, the King of Carb Feasts. I have heard of faux-tatoes which are steamed and mashed cauliflower mixed with butter and sour cream. Definitely not the real thing, but if you made it there would be at least one side you could eat…
Commercial brown sugar is WORSE, since it’s just refined sugar plus molasses. Splenda really does work in a pinch if you’re *needing* sweet.
I recommend checking out the South Beach Diet book from the library. I know it sounds so trendy and dumb, but it has a lot of snack ideas and really good recipes for no- or low-carb foods. I went on it on my gyn’s recommendation after I was diagnosed with PCOS, and it actually made most of my symptoms quit.
I am so sorry…I love the carbs as well, and shouldn’t have them because of my PCOS. I think South Beach is good because it helps with the good carbs. You do need some…I’ll be praying.
Praying Margaret – how frightening. But it can be done! I am a carb addict and managed gestational diabetes during my last pregnancy. And yes, I think there was a lot of peanut butter consumed.
You can do this sweetie –trust me. Try South Beach –it is very good and even what my Dr. recommends.
Thyroid huh? Hmmm…I thought so.
I have nothing to offer but my love, prayers, and support. I have never been very good at low-carb though I know it would help me. But…
You can do this!
It is a small thing really, compared to all that you have been asked to sacrifice before now. You just need a plan and to keep a mental image of that beautiful little one before you as you reach for each chip.
You can do this.
I’ll be praying. And maybe I’ll check out that South Beach book so we can do this together.
I’ll third (or fourth?) South Beach. It is *so hard* to go without the yummy white stuff, but peanut butter (and almond butter… ooooh, and cashew butter) does help. And cheese.
Cinnamon is a good spice to sweeten things, and it’s also good for regulating blood sugar. Hmmm… Sweet potatoes? I think they’re not as high carb as regular potatoes. Maybe I’ll dig out my copy of South Beach, too. You can do this!! We will pray you through it. :o)
Here's a link that I think you'll like to SBD recipes in the crockpot: http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17867
I came back because I realized I forgot to tell Felicity I’d pray for her—I am so happy to read the update. What a sweetheart she is! Elena had a similar bout with her tummy last night, and she still got up at 6:30 to go to her classes. (For the academics or for her friends, I’m not sure.) It’s so hard as a mom to watch that painful wretching and feel so helpless, isn’t it? Even when they are 15.
Praying for all of you!
No white foods. It works. I’ve done it. It is HARD.
BTW, I’ve taken Synthroid/levothroxine for the last 11 years, through 5 pregnancies. As far as the baby is concerned it is 100% benefit, no risk, don’t worry at all about taking it. No mommy guilt necessary, OK?
It seems like there are quite a few of us who need/want to go ‘NO white foods.’ maybe we could all do it together and with/for Margaret? Offer it up for a healthy pregnancy and baby for Margaret and all other expectant moms who are struggling?
Can you have whole wheat? Learn to make whole wheat bread…100% No cheating with a cup of white flour. It’s an art and you’ll be proud of yourself once you get the hang of it. It’s also very filling. The best book for learning is Laurel’s Kitchen Whole Grain Bread Book. Or something like that. I can’t find mine right now. Do you have a Kitchen Aid with a bread hook? That makes kneading much easier. Brown rice is good, really it is. Steel cut oats are great for morning sickness….
Prayers,
Charlotte
My husband is constantly on a low carb diet (even no carb) and we’ve tried a few things…it works, it is hard, but it works. Something you can have is “white chili” without the corn. Beans are great for you. Don’t forget the bean and all you can do with it!
Great Harvest Bread, they have great whole grains, and they don’t taste like it, they are great!
All the pasta companies are making whole grain noodles now too, we always get them and the kids have gotten used to them…well not rotini for some reason, but they do like Zita and spaghetti noodles whole grain.
ONe question: Can you take off Thanksgiving? Potatoes- that is the hard thing, there is no substitute is there?
Good news: KFC actually has lots of low carb options!! 🙂
God Bless you Margaret!!
We’re all cheering you on! Glad your girl is feeling better.
Gosh Margaret…I hate nights like those! If you’re like me you are now patiently waiting for the next one to drop!
Would help to just gradually let go of the carbs or is this something you have to do cold turkey? Sweet potato fries are even better than white potato fries!!
You can do it!!! Remember, even Felicity knows what helps…prayer!!
I don’t have much advice on the no-carbs, especially since Ruffles have been my friend this pregnancy, but you are most definitely in my prayers.
I’m also praying for the health of your family. I think our family has finally rid ourselves of “the bug.”
God bless you, Margaret!
I’m keeping you in my prayers. I have a hard time dieting, so I can only imagine not having any “white” foods. But you can do this. Just like your little Felicity said, pray, pray, pray. Offer it up for your sweet new baby on the way. That should make it doable.
I second the steamed cauliflower…very yummy alternative to mashed potatoes. Also try quinoa/corn flour pasta…I can’t remember the brand we eat…it’s in the health food aisle at Hy-Vee…but it’s sooo good. It comes in spaghetti, spiral and elbow. It’s much better than whole wheat or rice pasta in my opinion.
Now hold on here — I doubt you’re expected to LOSE weight, just gain it at a more reasonable pace, am I right?
What sort of guidelines have you been given? Did your doctor suggest a particular number of grams of carbohydrate, or servings of carbohydrate-rich foods, per day? Because right there is where you want to start — with an idea of how much you’re supposed to have.
Simply saying “low carb” isn’t enough. “Low Carb” is a label that gets applied to a very wide range of dietary strategies, from “eat more fiber” to “never touch anything made from grains ever again.” Please get more specific advice before you expend valuable energy worrying about your next meal.
(While you’re waiting for your doctor to call you back, I recommend snacking on little plates of cheese cubes, blueberries, and almonds.)
I’m glad your little sweetie is starting to feel better!
I hope your creative readers can help you find some delicious things that you CAN eat.
My baby was born just a week ago. I had to go on a low carb diet during the pregnancy. It really worked! I felt so much better. I know it’s hard, but it’s worth the effort. You can do it!
You can do it!! I know the dr said “low carb” which doesn’t mean cutting ALL carbs, right? Just a limited number. I have to say, when I went on my Gestational diabetes diet for my last pregnancy, my weight gain slowed significantly.
I know you can do it. It is a shocking thing to hear, but it can be done. We know you want that healthy baby. I am sorry to hear about your thyroid problem, but God Bless your doctor for finding it!
My prayers are coming still!
I don’t know about low carb diets but check out glutenfreegirl.com. She has lots of wonderful flour-free recipes!
I understand how you feel about this radical change in your diet. But I know you can do it because there is a special someone who is benefitting from your efforts. My youngest is dairy and soy protein intolerant. We discovered this when he was 6 weeks old. To continue nursing, I cut out all dairy and soy from my diet. (Everything has soy in it by the way!) From one coffee lover to another, coffee is just not the same with coconut milk in it.
I am praying for you daily. Hang in there!
I’m praying for you and your family. Fruit is often okay and curbs the carb crave.
Short term goals, Margaret! Isn’t that what we were just discussing at my place?
My toughest days — craving wise — get broken down into goals for every meal and snack and for the spaces in between. Breakfast goal: a balanced meal. Next goal: put up with craving from now till 10:30. Next goal: a balanced, reasonable snack. Next goal: put up with craving from now till lunchtime. Lunch goal: a balanced meal. You see what I’m getting at…
Hello my dear Margaret. Welcome to the world of the carb sensitve!! You can do this! I'm hypothyroid, low carb, gluten free, dairy free soy free and allergic to quite a few fruits. On low carb you can have one or 2 fruits, a serving of brown rice or quinoa (that is a yummy couscous like grain) lots of protein foods such as eggs, meat, and stress the veggies!!! Snack on a handful of almonds and it will keep the cravings under control. For the first 4 or 5 days you might feel cranky, but then you will get energy that you havne't felt in a long time!!! Please feel free to Email me! I know you aren't on weight loss Margaret, but I have lost 68 following this way of eating. I am being featured in F&F magazine in the spring. You have my Email, feel free to bug me with any questions.
Ooh, I know it will be hard, but I know you can do it!
I hope little Felicity is better, and that everyone is healthy and feeling better.
You can do it, Margaret! Cottage cheese with a little fruit in the morning is a great low-carb meal. When I did the low-carb thing many years ago, I would have the most amazing chef’s salads for lunch! You’ll have great energy on all that protein.
PS. I’ve always craved guacamole in pregnancy. Yum! Can’t be too many carbs there, right? Maybe on a low-carb tortilla?
Hi!
I am on Levothyroxine, too! It’s okay!
Check into iodine supplements===sometimes our bodies are a little low on that….
Bean chips? (Health food area of store)
Do find out how many carbs you can have….and maybe treat yourself on Sunday to a *few* regular chips with cheese/guac etc. You can do it!!!!
Donna
Hi Margaret – I hope that you and the rest of your family escape Felicity’s illness (sorry to say that usually caring for someone with norovirus – which would describe her symptoms – is like seeing the future).
Empathy with your nausea – I get through 1st trimesters by constant low level eating as well so that my stomach is never quite empty.
Corn tortillas are a whole grain product, especially if they are made from stone ground corn. Perhaps you can replace Tostitos with corn tortilla quesadillas? Add salt if you need to, or get salt from some salsa. You can make them ahead and then re-heat in the toaster oven.
Hi, Margaret! I, too, am hypothyroid. My endocrinologist told me that if I eat moderate portion sizes, that I would be eating a low carb diet. She said that us Americans tend to have portion distortion when it comes to food. I just thought I’d throw this thought in there. God bless, Gina
Margaret, try to think more about all you CAN have. Eggs are good protein and low carb. Lots of salads — add different proteins — leftover roast chicken, tuna, hard boiled eggs for variety. This time of year, I LOVE roasted root vegetables. Since you’re not limiting carbs for weight loss, I’d think you can do carrots, beets — but think sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, winter squash, rutabagaa…
Brown rice and quinoa are wonderful. I vote with the previous comment who said Thanksgiving shouldn’t count! You might go heavier on the turkey and veg and a little lighter on the stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pie — but have at least a little or you’ll feel deprived!
Lots of prayers coming your way…
I TOTALLY hear you. After my transplant I developed diabetes, so I had to do the whole “low carb” thing. Barilla’s Plus pasta is the best whole grain pasta I have found (I can usually get it at Kroger on sale). Sara Lee makes a fantastic wheat bread (that looks white!), as does Trader Joe’s.
Slim Fast actually has a “low carb” line of shakes and snacks that I enjoy, also a high protein line of snack bars.
Nuts are very good. There is also low carb ice cream that actually tastes like ice cream, or no sugar.
Meat, of course.
One thing I learned was that sugar and carbs are not the same thing…something can be really high in carbs and have limited sugar, and vice versa. But with so many diabetics out there now, you can find options and not totally want to crawl under a rock. Good luck!
I’m late in responding but wanted to tell you that eating low carb is definitely a lifestyle change but it’s doable. Let me know if you need ideas, recipes or menu suggestions.