Fit Pregnancy: Giving in to (cupcake) cravings!

In our Fit Pregnancy feature, blogger Jennifer Jordan speaks her mind about maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Every two weeks through March 31, 2007 she'll weigh in on exercise, diet, wellness and other health-related issues as she manages her own journey from pregnancy to motherhood.

I have a sneaking suspicion that cupcakes are not part of the fit pregnancy regimen I've been following up to this point. Some of the nicest people I know threw me a baby shower this past weekend and provided me with a seemingly never-ending supply of cupcakes from none other than the famous (or should I say infamous) Magnolia Bakery in the West Village. Seriously, these cupcakes are so sought after that there's a sign in the window stating that each customer is limited to a dozen cupcakes.

Thinking about this sign, I felt less than guilty when I ate two cupcakes at the shower, one chocolate and one with white cake, and then brought several home to share with my husband. I can't recall if I've eaten one or two since those cupcakes hit my fridge, but that's really beside the point.

Up to this point I haven't had any real pregnancy cravings, nor have I been consistently famished like some gals I know and eating everything I could get my hands on. There was a week in my first trimester where I was really craving salty foods like sushi (just vegetarian hand roles for me of course) and take out Chinese food. Then there was a point during my second trimester when I gave in to my love of french fries. Of course, only one place in the city makes fries worth eating so that interest pretty much flew out the window once I realized my schedule would never allow me to visit.

Even when I hit my third trimester my hunger didn't seem to increase and my cravings were dormant. Until now. Now all I can think about are cupcakes. And frankly anything sweet. But mainly the cupcakes. And they can't be just any cupcakes--like a true pregnancy craving, this one is specific. The cupcakes must be from Magnolia Bakery and they must have pastel colored icing. Flavor of icing and cake does not seem to matter, just

You see, even when I wanted to give in I was only willing to do so if I could get exactly what I wanted--and I wasn't about to waste the calories (and probably the trans fats) on something that was less than ideal. To me, that seems more healthfully-minded than just eating whatever, whenever. In general I've tried to eat as healthfully as possible for this baby, adding supplements when suggested by my OBGYNs and drinking plenty of water. I've eaten broccoli almost every day in addition to an apple a day, a banana a day (although they're considered too starchy by some, and by some I mean my OBGYNs), whole grains for fiber and yogurt for protein and to aid digestion. I've even been drinking some low-fat milk for extra calcium.

Most of my pals are shocked when they see how healthful I've managed to remain during these past eight months. I guess they figured if I were ever going to fall off the fitness wagon now would be the time. It's an easy thing to do--you're not exercising as much, working extra hard to carry the baby, feeling the pressure of everything to come. Some gals just let everything go. Even celebrities seem to give in and eat whatever they want, for once, putting on insane amounts of weight during their pregnancies. The main difference between celebrity pregnancies and mine is that I'm not going to have access to the world's best trainer or three hours a day to devote exclusively to working off any weight I've put on.

It's not surprising to me that I've managed to retain most of my fitness habits during my pregnancy because I've been eating that way for years. That said, now that I am in what I know better than to believe are the final four weeks or so, I am finding it more difficult to keep on track. I partially blame the cupcakes--they are truly irresistible, just ask anyone--but mostly I blame myself.

Well, perhaps BLAME is too strong a word, but I know how I am and this cupcake business in the last month (or so) of my pregnancy is nothing new. Like with any project, about 9/10s of the way through it I am ready for it to be finished. I get antsy and anxious and ready to move on to the next thing, doing whatever is necessary to get me over the hump and past the final stage. Just about now the anticipation of my bundle to be's arrival is driving me out of my mind with excitement. Frankly, I feel like a kid during the holidays, knowing there are presents waiting for me that I can't open until a specific time. The only difference now is that I don't really know when my bundle will arrive.

Not knowing when he'll arrive makes it tough to plan and finalize anything. We're doing our best, but there's so much to remember and since we're so new at this baby business we're more conservative in our decision making. In fact, the only real decision I've been able to make today was to have another one of those cupcakes. There were two in the fridge remaining--one chocolate with blue icing and white sprinkles and one of undetermined cake type with white icing and white sprinkles. I opted for the cupcake with blue icing.

Another reason I may be giving in to the cupcakes is that friends and colleagues keep telling my how astonished they are that I only have a month of my pregnancy left to go. I just haven't gotten that big. I assume part of it is the healthy habits mentioned above. Part of it, too, is genes. My mother remained small for most of her pregnancy. I keep reminding those who've noted my smallness with approval that pregnancy affects every woman in a different way, and just because one woman is smaller or bigger than another during her pregnancy doesn't mean she's sitting around eating cupcakes all day.

I also remind everyone that my mom didn't out on any weight until the last two weeks of her pregnancy (I was two weeks late) when she popped on another ten pounds. In other words, don't worry and don't be jealous--I'll get my due. That due may come during the last two weeks of my stint in the third trimester, but it could come sooner if I can't keep my hands off those cupcakes. Luckily for me only one remains, and it rightfully belongs to my husband.

Ultimately, I'm not afraid to eat the cupcakes and don't really feel that guilty about consuming them. Like with the salty food streak, this desire will most likely pass in a week or so. I've also maintained my other healthful eating habits and continue to exercise, getting as much walking in as I can. Ultimately, I am of the belief that if my body is craving something I should give it what it wants. In some way, maybe I really need those cupcakes. Once I get whatever I need from them I'll move on. That said, I know that if the cupcake craving doesn't subside I have the sound mind to substitute with something more healthful.