Pregnant in the QC: Top 5 places to satiate your pregnancy cravings
Over the coming weeks, CharlotteFive writer Liz Logan will be sharing her thoughts on being pregnant in Charlotte, from where to eat, places to go out and finding a group of mom friends. Have questions or column ideas? Email Liz at lizloganeagle@gmail.com. [If you missed her first piece on How to find your supportive ‘mom tribe,’” read it here.]
One of the most daring things anyone can ask me, even in my non-pregnant days, is, “What do you want to eat?” You’re guaranteed to be met with blank stares and glassy eyes (think the opossum in “Fantastic Mr. Fox”). Ask when I’m pregnant and you may as well prepare for battle. With Charlotte’s ever-growing food scene, it’s easy to get lost when looking for a bite to eat.
Most doctors and midwives suggest diets filled with tons of protein, fruits and veggies and little-to-no sugar. While I know the guidelines as well as the little-to-no sugar thing can be a challenge, I compiled a “Top 5” list of spots in Charlotte to hit up for all your pregnancy cravings.
Let’s eat:
(1) Pinky’s Westside Grill
Hear me out on this one. Sure, this can be classified as diner or bar food, which typically sends nutritionists over the edge, but Pinky’s has an incredibly eclectic menu that can fit most any need. There are tons of salads piled high with protein, veggie burgers, fish tacos and, yes, lots of fried stuff to balance out your healthier options.
As a pregnant vegetarian, I often go for the Nature Boy, a veggie burger piled with extra veggies. That way I don’t feel so bad when I inevitably order a side of pimento cheese fries.
Pinky’s Westside Grill: 1600 W.Morehead St. and 9818 Gilead Road, Suite B-101, Huntersville
(2) Sabor Latin Street Grill
In my pregnant eyes, no one in Charlotte is more of a hero than Dalton Espaillat. With his expanding portfolio of Sabor and Three Amigos locations, we pregnant mamas can indulge our empanada cravings in almost any corner of the city. If you add to it, moms with older kids, that kids eat free at Sabor on Wednesdays, you’ve got a protein and veggie-heavy, flavorful meal that can feed the whole family for around $20 or so.
Sabor Latin Street Grill: 415 Hawthorne Ln. and other locations
(3) Central Coffee Co.
The debate is still ongoing about whether or not to have caffeine while pregnant. I am one that opts for one cup per day with maybe some hot tea or decaf in the afternoon if the mood is right. But what really gets me at Central Coffee is the baked goods. Central Coffee offers traditional Greek fare, quiche and vegan zucchini bread, and also carries delicious vegan doughnuts and baked goods from Move That Dough Baking Co., which specializes in baking with real, plant-based foods so you can get your sugar fix while also nurturing your (and your babe’s) body.
Central Coffee Co.: 719 Louise Ave. and 1700 Camden Road
(4) 7th Street Public Market
I just want to sing the praises of this market really quick. We, as a city, have watched this market grow into a thriving mecca of locally sourced food and as a pregnant woman, I could not be more grateful. With the recent addition of Rico’s Acai, a vendor specializing in delicious fruit and granola bowls packed with heart and brain healthy Omega-3s, along with Pure Pizza who has arguably the best mushroom pizza in town as well as locally sourced chorizo pizzas, you can pick up a broad spectrum of deliciously healthy foods.
Top off the experience (if you’re lucky and they haven’t run out) with a couple of cookies from Cookie Cult, proudly sold by Not Just Coffee, and you’ve got yourself a well-rounded meal!
7th Street Public Market: 224 E. 7th St. (some vendor locations may vary)
(5) Healthy Home Market
A near-perfect stop for any mom-to-be is Healthy Home Market. On your way in, you can stop by the juice bar for some fresh squeezed juice or a smoothie while you browse for supplements and pregnancy-specific teas or locally and holistically sourced meat and produce.
Healthy Home Market: 1330 Central Ave., 1816-G Galleria Blvd. and 261 Griffith St., Davidson
Photo: Jessie Wimmer
This story was originally published December 13, 2016 at 10:10 PM with the headline "Pregnant in the QC: Top 5 places to satiate your pregnancy cravings."