Brewers Diet for Pregnancy

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Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« on: September 23, 2006, 02:40:52 PM » by StephTallent

Is anyone very familiar with this diet?

My hubby and I are "interviewing" midwives for a possible future home birth right now and the one we liked the best said that she very strongly encourages her patients to adhere to this diet as much as possible. In her 12 years of experience she says it makes a world of difference in the pregnancies, labor/deliveries of her patients.

I've done some preliminary research and it seems like a LOT of food! Particularly protein. Shocked

I'm not particularly fond of protein while pregnant anyway. Much less that much! Tongue

I agree with and see how much of what it encourages are just the foundations of a balanced healthy diet for anybody.

Just wondering if any of you have any experience/feedback on his dietary guidelines.

And if any of you have actually done it is it possible to eat that much protein in a day??? Huh

Hubby is threatening to force feed me turkey and boiled eggs for the next 6 months. Wink

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2006, 04:44:52 PM » by Maria/NHM

I forget how much protein they recamend. I always aim for 100 grams of protein a day. I can eat 80 easy and 100 if I really concentrate. I always eat alot so maybe thats why I don't have much trouble. I've never been overweight so at least for me as long as I'm eating healthy that much protein hasn't been a problem weight wise. When I'm pregnant I eat hamburger patties, CHEESE Grin

, eggs mixed with fried potatoes and cheese(the only way I can get them down), nuts, apple with peanut butter, egg sandwich, taco's and taco salad, chili, hamburger and rice with soysauce. I also added peanut butter or other nut butters to my shakes. When ever I eat I just make sure I'm eating at least one thing with lots of protein.We always have three big meals each day and two(or three) snacks. The only trouble I've had is towards the end my poor tummy is so squished that I can't eat much at once. I usually start eating little bits almost constantly Roll Eyes

My husband enjoys watching me eat when pregnant Grin

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2006, 05:34:21 PM » by herbalmama

I followed the diet with three out of my four pregnancies and the only pregnancy I had trouble with was the one when I didnt follow the Brewer diet. I ended up developing high blood pressure and edema .Anyway I think the diet makes a big difference in the pregnancy .I also think it really isnt htat hard to get enough protien in a day ,just remember things like cottage cheese and yoghurt also have protien in them so you can get a variety of yummy foods and still meet your protien requirements.

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2006, 09:37:36 PM » by floydian

I don't know what the Brewer's diet is. Never heard of it, but my midwife has told us that she has never had an expectant mom that had problems with toxemia who ate between 80 and 100 grams of protein a day.
You can get a lot of protein at once with a protein shake. That helps me get enough.

What IS the Brewer's diet? I'm curious.

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2006, 09:31:30 PM » by hedy

Quote from: floydian on September 23, 2006, 09:37:36 PM

What IS the Brewer's diet? I'm curious.

Check out http://nutrition.birthingnaturally.net/brewerslideshow/brewerdiet_files/frame.htm

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2007, 04:44:57 PM » by linemansgirl

I am preparing for another pregnancy very soon I hope. I will be starting this pregnancy already overweight and would like to keep my weight gain reasonable. Everyone says that this diet is the way to go for pregnancy, but it does seem like an awful lot of food every day. SO....for those of you that have followed this diet while pregnant was your weight gain reasonable?

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2007, 04:46:32 PM » by herbs girl

I would also like to know about this diet. Especially if it prevents Gestational Diabetes

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2007, 05:14:29 PM » by Whiterock

Quote from: linemansgirl on April 26, 2007, 04:44:57 PM

I followed this diet --not perfectly, but pretty good. I concentrated on lots of good fat (butter, VCO, CO, lard, etc.), protein, and worked in as many fruits and veggies as I could every day. I gained a total of about 15 lbs; even eating a whole lot of food every day (I did not eat the amount of grain he recommended though, it was just too much).

I am breastfeeding now, and so I am still trying to get as many of these foods in my diet as I can. I am at 2-1/2 weeks postpartum and I weigh about 3 lbs less than I did before I got pregnant, am making plenty of milk so far, and the baby is gaining weight very well.

The best thing to me though, is that the baby has a nice round face, wide jaw, good temperament, impressed all the nurses in the hospital with how little he cried and how quickly he calmed back down when he did cry. He has really surprised our pediatricians who say he is more like a one month old than a newborn. He passed the hearing test (it tracked his neurological response to sound) faster than any other baby the technician has ever tested. He has held his head up since day one, he rolled from his tummy to his side on day three, and he smiles and coos at me already.

I know all that sounds like bragging but I thought that many of you would be interested since NT makes a lot of claims about their version of the diet (I morphed the two diets together because they are so similar) and its affect on the health of the baby.

WR

« Last Edit: April 26, 2007, 10:11:49 PM by Whiterock »
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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2007, 05:54:29 PM » by herbs girl

Whiterock-

what was all the "good" versions of fat? Vco, co ?

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2007, 06:19:37 PM » by linemansgirl

Thank you WR! That was exactly the information that I was wanting. I would be SOOOOO happy only gaining 15 lbs and ending up with a happy, healthy baby. My biggest concern was also the amount of grains, I know that I would gain big time eating that many. The good thing is that I know no matter what I do end up gaining it will be much healthier for me and the baby than past pregnancies. I would be gaining weight on very healthy food, not junk.

Anyone else?

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2007, 06:49:08 PM » by earthymomof2

I thinK VCO and CO is Virgin Coconut Oil and Coconut Oil???

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2007, 07:40:43 PM » by Whiterock

Quote from: herbs girl on April 26, 2007, 05:54:29 PM

Whiterock-

what was all the "good" versions of fat? Vco, co ?

VCO = Virgin Coconut Oil
CO (should have been CLO) = Cod Liver Oil

WR

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2007, 08:05:52 PM » by AllinHisTime

I just recently found out about this diet through a friend of mine with seven children. She homebirthed six, the last two being twins

All her babies have been healthy and she's established a good milk supply and breastfeeds exclusively. She's suggested many times that I look into it and that it is a great diet. She's also had no problems returning to her pre-pregnancy weight, except for with the twins, her recovery time had been extended.

I'd say go for it. Your baby, body and blood need that protein. The extra iron in some of that protein will also help keep your blood rich for delivery. It sounds really good to me. I also am trying to conceive and haven't been able to for 6 months now. I'm trying not to get discouraged and am trusting the Lord for His perfect timing. It's a little hard on me because I also have had about a 30lb weight gain and am eating healthier and drinking more water than I ever have before. So, i consider it somewhat "unexplicable".

The one thing my friend mentioned to me about the Brewer diet is that the author died thinking he didn't help anyone with it and she wishes that she could let him know his writing was not all for not and that it did help her.

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2007, 10:15:51 PM » by Mama2four

This is a great diet for pregnant women! The protein is a little "much" at first, but if you make it your priority then you'll find you won't eat as much "junk" that you crave when pregnant b/c you're full (of protein) Lips Sealed

I would recommend getting a (whey or spirulina not soy...too much estrogen) protein shake to help knock out some of your protein though. I found one that was all natural (I think) that had 20 grams of protein per 5 oz serving! I think the brand is SportPharma

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2007, 09:03:44 AM » by Whiterock

Quote from: linemansgirl on April 26, 2007, 06:19:37 PM

Anyone else?

bump

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #15 on: April 30, 2007, 06:28:38 PM » by denim&lace

I made a one page check list to ensure that I manage fill the required amounts of each food group back in December... I miscarried in January. Seems I'm insulin resistant and all those grains were literally killing us... but I'm using a modified version of the diet now... I've exchanged the grains for nuts, seeds, and other acceptable low gi foods. I even still have a bowl of oatmeal w/cinnamon every few days or so. (without sweetners or milk of course...)

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #16 on: April 30, 2007, 09:49:56 PM » by mommyjen

Quote from: Whiterock on April 26, 2007, 05:14:29 PM

Quote from: linemansgirl on April 26, 2007, 04:44:57 PM

That's great! I have a couple of questions for you. Do you eat lliver? Grin

Also, I figured that if I had a quart of milk a day, 2 eggs, plus meat for lunch and dinner and the protein from grains, etc...I am looking at well over 100 grams of protein a day. Like about 120 grams! I have heard of problems that can come from consuming excessive protein. I am so confused here Undecided

This is my goal menu, but looks like way to much food! It is a combo of brewer and weston price. I am nursing btw.

breakfast-2 eggs with potatoes or spinach and mushroom egg scramble, toast w/butter, milk

snack-milk

lunch-big salad with handful of nuts, a serving of beef (tacos, sloppy joes, chili, meatloaf, etc)

snack-milk

dinner-a serving of fish (2 x a week), roast chicken, chicken soup made w/hm broth, beans w/ rice with an orange and dark leafy green veggie with butter, and grain dish.

snack-kefir smoothie with coconut oil, egg yolks, flax seeds and oil, fruit

I take liver capsules instead of eating it. I am working on that. I have done this mostly, but without the veggies. I am terrible about that. Sometimes the smoothie at night just makes me ill, too much food! What do ya think?

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #17 on: May 01, 2007, 06:09:33 PM » by healthnut

Quote from: Mama2four on April 26, 2007, 10:15:51 PM

OK, I am pregnant and taking the Bradley Childbirth classes, our teacher has all of us on this diet and even checks our charts!!! Shocked

First: It is not recommended that you get protein that is "produced" in anyway and not natural. It is like taking synthetic vitamins...But if you can find a good naturally-occurring source for protein shakes then great. Please let me know as I would love a little help on this, as would the other ladies in class with me.

Okay it really is not that much food, if you measure. And that is going to be a key element in not feeling like you are overdosing.

I average 109 grams a day and don't eat everything Dr. Brewer would like for me too. An example of my normal diet goes kind-of like this:

Breakfast:
Vitamin C : orange juice-8 oz : 2 grams
Butter: 1 serving of fat-used to cook eggs in: 0 grams
Eggs: 2 eggs (fried, boiled, scrambled, but the whole 2 eggs): 12 grams
Milk: Cheese (1/4 cup mild cheddar=1 serving milk): 7 grams
Protein: Sausage (exactly 3 oz=3 tiny links-I use turkey sausage): 13.5 grams
Total amount of Protein: 34.5 grams

Lunch:
Whole grains: 2 slices of Bread--I looked for the highest protein count per slice as I can't make my own yet, I get Hearty Whole Grain. I believe homemade should have at least this much protein if not more.: 10 grams
Protein: Peanut Butter : 8 grams
Extra: Raw honey or jelly for sandwich: 0 grams
Fruit: Any serving size of fruit: 0-1 grams
Total amount of Protein: 18 grams

Snack:
Milk: 3-8 oz servings, two with probiotics: 24 grams
Total amount of Protein: 24 grams

Supper:
Protein: 1-3oz serving: 15-25 grams (depends on meat eaten)
Whole grains: 2 slices of Bread: 10 grams
Butter: 2 servings of fat: 0 grams
Total amount of protein: 25-35 grams

Total amount of protein for day: 34.5+18+24+25=101.5 grams or more depending on the meats eaten.

And after all that it only leaves me with the 2 servings of green leafy vegetables that I haven't eaten. Hopefully now that my fridge is fixed I will start adding those in.

The main things to remember are (1) measure the food amounts as Americans tend to make their servings way too big and (2) check the container for the food info to get the exact Protein amount per serving.

I have found that by shopping around and buying the product with the most protein I actually can cut back a little and still get my 100 grams a day.

I started out overweight and have only put on 17 lbs so far and I am currently 26 (almost 27) weeks.

HTH, Happy Eating Wink

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #18 on: May 03, 2007, 04:14:09 PM » by Whiterock

Quote from: mommyjen on April 30, 2007, 09:49:56 PM

That's great! I have a couple of questions for you. Do you eat lliver? Grin

Yes. I actually like it. I grew up eating it. But I don't cook it as well as my mom does, so I didn't eat as much of it as I should have during my pregnancy. Oh, and the liver I eat is from organically-raised (not certified), grass-fed beef, so I'm not too worried about toxins. I don't know if I would eat it liver if I had to buy the factory-farmed kind.

Here's an easy way to keep track of your daily eating habits Brewer's Diet Checklist After I started using this checklist, I found that it wasn't as hard as I thought to eat most of what I needed.

WR

« Last Edit: May 04, 2007, 09:46:05 AM by Whiterock »
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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #19 on: May 03, 2007, 04:50:56 PM » by herbs girl

To the ladies who have been on the brewers diet while pregnant: in what ways did it improve your pregnancy, and birth?

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #20 on: May 03, 2007, 07:16:59 PM » by ladyhen

I followed the Dr. Brewer's diet for three of my five babies and we were extremely pleased with the results. I had far less problems with sickness, being tired, and energy in general both before their births and afterwards.
The births were average homebirths, my midwife claimed. She insists that all of her clients use Brewer's diet. She believes that it makes an enormous difference in the complication rate, decreases preterm labor, and increases the birth weight and apgar scores of the babies - which is what Dr. Brewer also found to be true.
He was a wonderful man who was unable to 'prove' his beliefs using the 'scientific method' of double blind studies because his conscience would not allow him to put mothers and babies at risk to prove his diet. A woman who was my co-leader in our La Leche League group 23 years ago was an acquaintance of the Brewer's. She told me that he knew that the natural health and homebirth community was using his diet, but he desired it be more widely used. Thank you, welltellme, for spreading his message!
For me, I found it to be too much food. I tried to follow the diet as closely as I could and viewed the recommendations as a goal to reach for. I did pretty well, for the most part.

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #21 on: May 04, 2007, 08:31:49 AM » by Whiterock

Quote from: herbs girl on May 03, 2007, 04:50:56 PM

To the ladies who have been on the brewers diet while pregnant: in what ways did it improve your pregnancy, and birth?

The only thing I can really add to what I posted above, is that my blood sugar level from the glucose test was, "Excellent!" according to my doctor (who had seemed to think I had GD because the baby was big) Then she added, "And you are definitely not anemic!" My blood pressure was great throughout the pregnancy and I felt better than I did with my other pregnancies. I did have some swelling, though. It got pretty bad in my feet. But that was the only real problem I encountered and it was not as bad as it had been during my first pregnancy (for that one, perfect strangers would come up to me on the street and angrily ask me why my Dr. didn't have me on bedrest).

Oh, and I don't know if this has anything to do with the diet, but this baby is the first one I've had that goes three hours between feedings (he self-scheduled - I didn't have anything to do with it) and whom I often have to wake up during the night in order to nurse.

WR

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #22 on: May 04, 2007, 08:48:49 AM » by herbs girl

Whiterock did you have a GD positive test in the past? Or your doctor was just looking at the big baby and saying GD? Mainly I wanted to know because I have heard that the Brewers diet prevents GD, just wonder if theres anybody out there that had GD in the past and went on the Brewers in a subsequent pregnancy and didn't have it in the next preg? I think the B. diet has alot of food in it. If you try to follow it, get all your protien, why would you have to eat quite that much "volume of food"? I don't want anything thats going to make me gain in my next pregnancy!!

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #23 on: May 04, 2007, 09:42:47 AM » by Whiterock

No, I've never had GD. The doctors were just thinking GD because I am overweight (so they assume you eat poorly), my last baby was 9 lbs, and this one was measuring big too.

I think the volume of food is so that you get all the nutrients the baby and you need.

I started out overweight, ate a lot on the NT/Brewer diet combo, and I only gained about 15 pounds (it fluctuated between 13 and 17). It promptly dissapeared after the baby was born and now, not quite 4 weeks postpartum, I am a little below my original weight.

WR

« Last Edit: May 04, 2007, 09:45:04 AM by Whiterock »
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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #24 on: May 04, 2007, 07:44:50 PM » by healthnut

Quote from: herbs girl on May 04, 2007, 08:48:49 AM

I think the B. diet has alot of food in it. If you try to follow it, get all your protien, why would you have to eat quite that much "volume of food"? I don't want anything thats going to make me gain in my next pregnancy!!

Quote from: blessed213 on May 03, 2007, 07:16:59 PM

For me, I found it to be too much food. I tried to follow the diet as closely as I could and viewed the recommendations as a goal to reach for. I did pretty well, for the most part.

I don't know if this will mean much to anyone, but I hope it helps!!!

The food is only by serving size--Americans traditionally eat huge portions. If you don't believe me just ask people who grew up in other countries--they know why America has an obesity problem Wink

The portion size is what keeps you from feeling overwhelmed!!! If you don't measure you will feel stuffed all the time Shocked

I started out this way Roll Eyes

and finally realized why my teacher kept emphasizing portion size. It doesn't take long for one to get real good at eyeballing it

A "serving" of protein is like 2 tablespoons of Peanut Butter or (here's a big one) a piece of meat is roughly about the size of your palm (not your hand). Another way to measure your meat is comparing it to a deck of cards--it should be similar in size and weight. Americans love their meat and tend to under-eat their grains and veggies. Most veggie and fruit "servings" are only 1/2 cup--occasionally there is a food that has larger amounts, like watermelon.

Quote from: herbs girl on May 04, 2007, 08:48:49 AM

I don't want anything thats going to make me gain in my next pregnancy!!

I totally understand--I still haven't lost the weight from my first pregnancy!!! (Argh) Tongue

I think the main thing to remember is on this diet you aren't eating any unhealthy foods--they are all good and all have a purpose.

Some other things to note is that the weekly serving of liver and the three whole potatoes are optional. I didn't discover this till I read the info on his website. I found this out because I was looking to see if I could leave some things out, to minimize my weight gain. I don't know if there is more on the website about things you can change or leave out but it would be worth a look.

HTH and that I didn't step on anybodies toes in the process--just trying to be helpful.

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #25 on: May 28, 2007, 09:26:00 PM » by rebeccahuff

I hope this is still on the topic, but I was wondering if anyone has followed this diet while NOT pregnant, but thinking of getting pregnant? I read that it was good to start eating this program before you get pregnant, but I was wondering if it would make me gain weight or lose weight or nothing. I eat pretty healthy now, but the main focus is on what I don't eat (processed foods, etc.) but I never have measured my foods and I think I eat too much. Thanks for any advice!

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #26 on: March 26, 2008, 03:09:32 PM » by Maria/NHM

Anyone know of a good check list for the brewer diet? I didn't find the one on the brewer site to be very helpful. I've always tried to follow the diet when pregnant but it's hard to know if I'm eating the right amounts of each food especially since I don't have access to good milk right now:-\

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #27 on: March 26, 2008, 03:32:30 PM » by Yooper

Hey, Ella--

Have you been following the pre-eclampsia thread? Joy (djsnjones) has linked many articles...I'm sure her site has stuff on the Brewer's Diet Joy's Site...or you could PM her.

And as far as the access to good milk, I'm Undecided

with you.

« Last Edit: March 26, 2008, 03:40:08 PM by Yooper »
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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #28 on: March 26, 2008, 03:49:06 PM » by cecac

Do you ladies think that Organic, pasteurized only is a good choice on the milk? I believe Horizon brand carries that, at least they used to here at the HFS.

Cara

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Re: Brewers Diet for Pregnancy
« Reply #29 on: March 26, 2008, 04:03:00 PM » by Yooper

I must think so, b/c that's what I'm drinking. Roll Eyes

Mine is farm-pasteurized from MN, but not homogenized (whole). Horizon...something's not settling right there...have you checked the Homogenized Milk thread? Maybe I'm thinking they had homogenized milk... Huh