Scientific Method

I have a new theory about food and vitamins. Ok, so it’s not a new theory. But, as far as I am concerned, it has now been personally tested and remains firm in my mind that this is now a true fact for me.

Throughout my pregnancies with Josh, Claire and Andrew, I religiously took Prenatal vitamins. Every day. I didn’t miss even one. Why? They made me feel BETTER! When I took my vitamins along with my exercise, I felt less sick, less tired–I had more energy and more focus.

Well, this time around, every time I took a prenatal vitamin, I got SICK! I could hardly move. It made my stomach more sick than ever and I would feel dizzy! I thought that was very strange. Especially since this time around I have more energy than ever. I rarely get too tired to do anything. I still don’t waddle (ha!) and my head is clear (aside from the occasional normal pregnancy brain lapse...) But if I took the vitamins, it would all go away! So, I haven’t taken them. At all. I take vitamin C. I take calcium and vitamin B supplements once in awhile because they give an extra energy boost (most of the time), but for the most part, I haven’t needed it. Why? I’ve eaten healthier food here than I have most of my life (I know it wasn’t for your lack of trying, Mom, don’t worry). I’ve felt super healthy and strong.

And then, something interesting happened. We got our frozen food shipment. Boxes of American food Delight! Pot pies, hot dogs, hamburger patties, tater tots, sausage, bacon, cheese...what more could you ask for??? So, the past two weeks, we’ve feasted on good ol’ ‘American’ fare. (Of course, the past two days haven’t been my fault. We haven’t had water, so I couldn’t cook anything else!!!) And what do you think has happened? I am completely exhausted ALL THE TIME. I’m having a hard time focusing and walking. I feel heavy and sick (not just because I’m monstrously huge...) and sluggish. I don’t have the energy to exercise. I’m gaining more weight more quickly. Hmmmm.... Coincidence? I think NOT! (Mr. Incredible...) Yesterday was an all-time low for me. I woke up at a fairly normal time–a little later than usual (6:30) and could barely roll myself out of bed. My head hurt. I couldn’t hardly keep my eyes open. I haven’t been able to sleep well for about 4 days. My head keeps spinning and I keep tossing. After I dropped the kids off at playgroup in the morning, I came home and slept hard for an hour and a half until I had to pick them up. I was still tired and dizzy and my head still hurt. After I got them home, I made tuna sandwiches on my homemade whole wheat bread thinking that that might help. It did a little, but not enough. So, I thought maybe I’d try a vitamin. Within an hour of taking a vitamin, I felt like I had before we got our frozen food shipment. I had energy back again. I wasn’t dragging myself through a thick fog. My headache went away. I felt great again. Hmmmm... I thought that was a very interesting thing. Maybe I don’t want to eat out at every fast food joint I see once I get to the states. I need my veggies and beans and quinoa... :)

I just thought all of this was very interesting. I think I never realized that the reason the prenatal vitamins made me feel better was because I was lacking in all of those vitamins...and the reason they made me sick here is because I’m lacking NO vitamins in my diet. We eat very little, if any, preservatives. We never eat out. Everything is fresh and hormone free. I think living overseas is a pretty healthy alternative! I know I went through a pretty bad withdrawal when we got here...and when I was first pregnant I craved everything that I couldn’t have. But I wonder if I’ll be able to eat any of that now... now that I know what I know... :) (But, it still just tastes so good, and it’s SO NICE not to have to cook once in awhile...)