“75 to 100 grams of protein a day?” I said in disbelief. I was 33 years old and pregnant with our first child. I stared at the nutrition chart handed to me by my ob/gyn.
I was a vegetarian and not a very educated one. When I decided to stop eating meat at 24 years old, I simply substituted starches–pasta, rice, etc.–as filler for my meals. I maybe managed to get a meager 30 grams of protein a day. Needless to say, I was very tired in my late 20’s and early 30’s, although I managed my weight fine and led an active life, working out daily.
This was the beginning of my food education path. Learning how to get protein from various non-meat sources and expanding my vegetable options. Once I increased my protein intake coupled with taking prenatal vitamins, I felt like a new person! I actually had energy all day long, once that first trimester was over.
Several years and 4 kids later and I’m still a vegetarian but now I cook for five omnivores. I haven’t figured it all out–far from it. I still have days when I’m low energy and it frustrates me. However, I can usually exam my latest eating habits or sleep habits and realize I need to do better.
I pretty much drive my kids crazy when they don’t feel well, either emotionally or physically. “What did you eat today? Are you drinking enough water? What green vegetables have you had? Did you take your vitamins? You need to get to bed earlier tonight.”
It’s a journey, for sure. We aren’t perfect. The weeknights are hectic, rushing home from school and onto someone’s game or practice, trying to get a decent snack/meal in their hands, then late nights finishing homework.
So, I read a lot of nutrition websites, try lots of different recipes, and constantly talk to my kids about what it means to eat a balanced diet. Don’t get me wrong, they definitely get homemade chocolate chip cookies and they love their trips to the nearby ice cream store. But, I do feel it’s my job as their parent to educate and make them aware of what their bodies and minds might be needing in terms of proper nutrition.
What are your biggest challenges as a family when it comes to nutrition? What tips do you have to share with others that have worked well for your family?
Striving for Clean 