I do not like being hungry, but most of all, I do not like being middle of the night, third trimester hungry. It’s the kind of pang that I can’t ignore; once I’m up, I’m up, so I’m inevitably fumbling through the pantry in the dark trying to figure out what will stave off another rude awakening for the rest of the night.
I don’t make great choices when I’m half awake, nor do I bust out any special culinary moves, so it’s usually a handful of trail mix or a too-sweet-for-bedtime Lara Bar to tide me over. Of all of the symptoms of pregnancy, the “my stomach may very well be eating itself” sensation is not my favorite. Whatever does the trick to negate it is acceptable, but I just don’t love eating in the dark at 3:30am (because it’s always, without fail, 3:30am). Our bodies are so fascinating.
At any rate, I’ve decided it’s far better to succumb to my own “fourth meal” of sorts before bedtime than to be coaxed awake by the grumblings of my hungry belly. Thus, when the third trimester is well on its way in each pregnancy, I bring back the bowl…the preemptive cereal bowl, that is.
It’s true that every night when I sit down to blog these pregnant days, I also pour myself a bowl of cereal. At this time of year, cheerios or anything really basic with fresh blueberries and almond milk take the cake. Tonight, I’m enjoying this as I write:
The lighting is awesome, I know, and I threw in the striped towel for your viewing pleasure (you can thank me later), but you get the idea. Heaps of blueberries to beautify a plain old bowl of cheerios in my favorite almond milk. Proportions are key. The more berries, the better. A good, weighty bowl helps, too, and as Eloise can attest, a spoon that’s not too big but also not too small is essential.
Ladies and gents, we are off to the races.
I can buy myself a second wind with a good bowl of cereal. Not only that, but so far, I’ve avoided the hangry wake ups almost entirely this pregnancy, which is a win for cereals everywhere.
This boxed phenomenon is basically my pre-bedtime hero.
I know, I know. I shouldn’t eat much after the dinner hour, and my body should have time overnight to digest and rest, too. But no one and no thing can rest with a hunger so fierce as growing-a-human hungry. I’m just saying.
The preemptive cereal bowl is likely to stick around these parts for a while, what with 64 days to go in the countdown and plenty more days past that of nourishing another person around the clock. Can’t say that I mind it a bit, really, especially since it’s blueberry season here in the mitten.
If we run out, baby and I will just head back to the farm to pick some more!
What’s your go to bedtime snack? I mean, I’m not likely to tire of the cereal routine anytime soon, but suggestions are always welcome. 😉
spoon in hand,
mm