Pregnancy and Whole30: balancing pregnancy and a Whole30-based diet
A small glimpse into life during pregnancy — sharing what’s worked for me as I navigate this third pregnancy while leaning on Whole30-style eating.
Pregnancy and Whole30
If you haven’t heard me announce it here before, we’re expecting our third child in October. I wanted to document how this pregnancy feels compared to my first two and how my current eating habits — largely Whole30/Paleo-inspired — are influencing energy, digestion, and weight gain.
In my first two pregnancies I ate relatively well but wasn’t following Whole30 or Paleo closely. That first pregnancy included complications late in the term: extended bed rest for high blood pressure and preeclampsia after delivery. My second pregnancy was healthier in that respect but I gained more weight than I wanted to. This time I was curious whether changing my baseline diet would affect my experience. My primary goals were to maintain steady energy while parenting two young children and to keep weight gain within a healthy range.
Pregnancy and Whole30: First Trimester
The first trimester was the hardest. The exhaustion and nausea during those early weeks are unlike anything else — sudden sleepiness and waves of nausea make it tough to stick to any plan. I mostly followed an 80/20 approach: about 80% Whole30/Paleo-style meals with occasional compromises for placating nausea or cravings. When nothing else settled my stomach I turned to simple, comforting foods like saltines or noodle soup, even though those choices aren’t my usual fare.
Around week 10 I felt well enough to try a short reset. I did a 10-day Whole30-style reset rather than a full 30 days. The change was striking: I had more energy, less bloating, and an overall lift in mood. That reset helped steer me back toward mostly Whole30-compliant meals for the rest of the trimester. Comforting, nutrient-dense options like roasted vegetables and squash soups were huge helps when I needed something soothing yet nourishing.
Weight has been a personal challenge to manage emotionally. I’m currently weighing less at this stage than I did in my first two pregnancies and am on track for a more moderate overall gain, but it’s easy to get overly focused on numbers. I’m working on balancing enjoyment of pregnancy with sensible food choices and gentle portion awareness. It’s a process, and I’m trying to be kind to myself as I navigate it.
Bottom line for the first trimester: prioritize comfort and recovery when symptoms are strong, and shift back toward Whole30-style eating as soon as you feel able. Don’t be hard on yourself — the early weeks can be brutal, and doing your best is enough.
Pregnancy and Whole30: Second and Third Trimesters
The second and third trimesters were easier than the first. I didn’t run another formal reset, but the brief 10-day focus at the end of the first trimester made it easier to maintain mostly Whole30-style meals going forward. I continued an approximate 80/20 approach, favoring whole foods, plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and minimal processed foods.
Aside from the normal aches and fatigue that come with a third pregnancy, I felt good overall. Update: I ended up gaining about 40 pounds this pregnancy compared with 60+ pounds during earlier pregnancies, which I’m grateful for. That difference felt meaningful and reinforced that small, consistent food choices add up over time.
Several readers asked about prenatal vitamins and supplements. I’m not giving medical advice — always consult your healthcare provider — but here are the supplements I used during this pregnancy that worked for me: Garden of Life Organic Prenatal Multivitamin, a prenatal DHA supplement, a prenatal probiotic formulated for women, and collagen peptides. I also sometimes used a digestive enzyme when I ate foods I expected might upset my stomach and a gentle fiber supplement when needed, especially during travel. Talk with your care provider to choose the right brands and dosages for you.
If you follow me on social media you’ll see more day-to-day food ideas and pregnancy updates. I share simple Whole30-friendly recipes, meal ideas that are comforting and easy to prepare, and practical tips for managing pregnancy symptoms while staying nourished.
Thanks for following along — I’ll keep sharing updates as this pregnancy progresses.
Love,
E
(photo credit: Brooke Aho Photography)