Keys to a Healthy Pregnancy

As many of you know, I have a baby on the way. Therefore, maintaining my health is super crucial. Two key areas I focus on for a healthy pregnancy are nutrition and homeopathy.

As a result, I have a whole flock of pregnant women coming to see me for nutritional advice. One client in particular is currently on her second pregnancy. During her first pregnancy she gained 80 lbs, had to take insulin for gestational diabetes, and felt terrible throughout the entire 9 months. By simply following the simple steps shared below, this time around she feels significantly better. As of now (11 weeks into the process) she has gained a minimal amount of weight, her baby is developing perfectly (as per ultrasound), and she feels almost no adverse symptoms of pregnancy — unlike in her previous experience.

So what steps has she been following?

It is important to eat a variety of whole foods, but not overeat. Even though you are carrying around another person, there is no need to eat for two! You only require 150 extra calories per day. That is equivalent to about 1 cup of plain yogurt — that’s it! As for hydration, future moms would certainly need to drink water for two.

By drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fiber you can help satiate your appetite without the added calories. Be sure that you are getting sufficient protein in your diet as well. Choose clean sources of fish (to avoid adding mercury to your body) and organically raised meats/poultry, both which can affect the development of the fetus. Healthy snack ideas with good sources of protein include cottage cheese, nuts and berries, and protein cookies and bars.

As much as possible, avoid simple sugars and gluten/wheat, as they can also negatively affect the growth and development of the fetus. Sugar is not only void of any nutritional value; it also lowers your immunity, making you and your baby more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. Sugar and simple carbohydrates also feed and breed yeast or fungus, which is a huge problem for many pregnant women.

Due to the nature of gluten, foods containing wheat/gluten can aggravate digestive issues and general pain. Gluten is very inflammatory and can cause more toxicity, unnecessary weight gain, and problems with nutrient absorption on the intestinal level. Even if you are not diagnosed with celiac, gluten is best avoided since a large portion of the population are unaware of their gluten intolerance or sensitivity. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness explains that if you are intolerant to gluten, participating in a gluten diet can lead to preterm labor, low birth weight, anemia, and possible stillbirth.

To insure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals, it is essential to take a few supplements. I recommend fish oil for the brain, and professional grade prenatal multivitamins with sufficient amount of iodine, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, and B 100 complex.

For any adverse issues that you may experience during pregnancy, homeopathy is a safe and non-invasive method. Heartburn, morning sickness, and constipation can all be treated and alleviated with homeopathic remedies. No side affects either! Homeopathy is completely safe during the pregnancy and can prevent and treat variety of complications common during pregnancy.

To make your pregnancy experience as enjoyable as possible, it is vital that you feed your body the nutrition it needs. Consume plenty of protein, water, and supplements; and avoid foods like simple sugars and gluten that can cause you and your baby distress. For your medicinal needs, consider using homeopathics to further insure the outcome of a healthy pregnancy. If you are looking to conceive or already have, I would love to talk to you about your pregnancy needs!