POSITIVE Parenting

Once I had confirmation that I was pregnant, I set about planning what and when I would eat. Starting off as underweight, I was not going to be the reason my child did not get enough nutrition to develop properly.

I went to a book store and bought What to Expect When You're Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff, which has an entire chapter called 'Nine Months of Eating Well'. Among other recommendations, the author lays out the quantity of each food group a pregnant woman needs, as well as several suggestions of fare to choose from within it. My memory is good when it comes to these things, so it didn't take long for the daily list to become ingrained in my brain.

Plain yoghurt

By bedtime, if I haven't had, let's say, sufficient protein, calcium and fruit, then I'll tick three items at once by eating a cup of plain yoghurt with a banana and a spoon of honey. My mind has been constantly working this way, but I've enjoyed the variety this diet requires me to have. It might seem like a hassle to most, but I never get bored of food and I'm not tempted to eat a load of junk.

However, I have had my share of longings! In my first month, I craved sardines, rice and callaloo. Towards the end of my second month, I couldn't get over my mild morning sickness without eating water crackers with chopped scotch bonnet and salt sprinkled on top, or pickled peppers. This led to cottage cheese lathered on to the same crackers topped with sun-dried tomatoes. Then there was a period of boiled eggs with toast for breakfast, but now I'm back to my favourite: scrambled eggs on white rice, accompanied by freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.

At Christmas I couldn't resist my mom's home-made chocolate fudge. Actually, it was a bit obscene the quantities I was consuming! I have always been very careful to ensure that I keep up with the essential nutrients as well though, so it's not like there was only sugar passing through the placenta! At present, my preferred sweet treat is a Kit Kat before getting into bed (don't worry, I do brush my teeth). These latter two indulgences surprise me somewhat, as I'm normally a 'savoury' kind of gal. My baby had better enjoy all this chocolate now because I'm afraid that I'm very against giving junk to small children!

The only food that has repulsed me from the start of my pregnancy is pumpkin. Don't ask me why, but I used to love this vegetable. I wonder if it means that baby won't be liking it either? Will I go back to eating it once I give birth? It's such an odd thing to go off. I would have understood had I not been up for stinky fish, or something like that, but plain old pumpkin? What's up with that?

I guess my cravings have been varied so far, but what's remained consistent is my intolerance of missing a meal. I didn't even realise it at first, but then I find myself nit-picking at everything my husband does. He could bring me the most gorgeous bunch of yellow roses and I'd tell him they were a waste of money. He could start cleaning the pots before we sat down for dinner and I'd complain that the kitchen was a mess. He could give me a hug and tell me that he loves me and I'd say that wasn't enough. However, feed me, and everything changes. When big mamma needs to eat, big mamma needs to eat!

Emmadaltonbrown@gmail.com.