Mom, Don’t Forget to Eat Healthy Meals!

Did I eat breakfast?

…or lunch?

…or dinner?

It’s 6 o’clock at night and you can’t remember if you ate anything.

Sound familiar?

Many of my patients tell me that they simply forget to eat during the day. They either say to me …
1. I was just too busy.
2. I wasn’t hungry.
3. Nothing seemed good in the fridge.

From a mom’s point of view, I can empathize and understand how this can happen. Life is busy especially when the kids are little. Although, from a doctor’s point of view, this is not very healthy and actually may lead to some serious consequences.

When we don’t eat, our body is thinking that it is in a starvation mode and begins adapting to this stressful situation with many biochemical reactions. It takes a few days for this to be serious, and most moms actually do eat throughout the day but it is mostly snacking … and not so much healthy snacking. The problems that arise with this scenario are the highs and lows of the blood sugar levels – hypo- and hyperglycemia. When this happens, your heart may beat faster, you may feel light headed or dizzy and very fatigued. If left untreated, it may lead to diseases such as diabetes.

I notice with my mom patients, that once they begin this cycle it’s often quite difficult to break. And not only are their blood sugar levels affected but also their digestive system and their adrenal glands are feeling the pressures. The first suggestion I have for my patients is to have them write down everything they eat for 3 days. I beg them to be honest and even insist that they do not have to share it with me. It is for them to become more aware of their eating (and snacking habits). We will then discuss the importance of eating foods – fueling the body – for their long-term health. Our bodies’ have an amazing way of adapting and functioning, however, it cannot keep up with this state forever and symptoms will begin.

Here are some other suggestions I have for my patients:

• Make a list of foods that are whole colorful (fruits and vegetables) and protein rich (think nuts, eggs, yogurt, hummus, bean dips) that are easy to grab and that you enjoy eating.
• Visit the grocery store with your list and shop the periphery to find these items.
• Be organized with them in your fridge and pantry so they are easy to grab.

Whole colorful food are going to give you the most nutritional value (and are quite tasty) and protein rich foods will help stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep you sustained for longer periods. It’s absolutely fine to eat 5 to 6 meals a day, in fact, it is most likely a much more convenient way for many moms to eat … if the foods are healthy.

Begin your day with a protein rich shake, or a sliced apple with nuts or nut butter or cheese, snack on veggies and hummus and whole grain crackers and bean dip, and make a big effort to sit down and enjoy a nice dinner with your families.

Ready to indulge your taste buds?

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About Dr. Heather Manley

Dr. Heather Manley has written 3 posts in this blog.

Dr. Heather Manley, who in 2001 received her medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, is a practicing physician whose primary interest is preventative healthcare for families. She is the author of Human Body Detectives, her educational series of story-telling audiobooks and accompanying activity workbooks. She also promotes wellness and naturopathic healthcare on her website drheathernd.com. She lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with her husband and two daughters, and is currently at work on the next Human Body Detectives adventure.

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