Although the health of our unborn children is the responsibility of the mother during pregnancy; it amazes me how many find it so difficult to eat healthily. Here are a few tips to help you to give both yourself and your developing baby all the goodness and nutrients that you both need.
Variety is the spice of life so they say, and that’s the first thing to remember. Mix it up so you don’t get bored with what you are eating. Making sure that you have a vast array of fruits, vegetables and proteins in your diet will make sure that your baby gets a good mixture of nutrients.
The next thing to bear in mind is balance. Don’t deny yourself your favorite treats, but if you fancy ice cream for instance, just have a bowl and not the whole carton! By keeping all your meals balanced you can be sure that you are getting all the nutrients, vitamins, protein and whole grains.
Don’t even consider dieting when pregnant. You need a constant supply of nutrients and calories through the entire duration of your pregnancy and also post natal. Women are meant to gain weight while pregnant, it’s the way our bodies protect the new life that they are nurturing. Trying to stop yourself gaining weight can put both you and the baby as risk.
If you are getting sick of the sight of the foods that you are eating; experiment with different ones. Aversions to favorite foods often combine with cravings to create wonderful dishes that you would never have dreamed of eating before you were pregnant. Don’t forget that pregnant or not, food should be fun and not a chore. Don’t feel guilty about treating yourself now and again. You are growing a whole new life inside of you, and if that doesn’t deserve a treat I don’t know what does.
By: Patricia Fields
