Pregnancy. It really is a miraculous thing. But sometimes, the glory of the experience can be stripped away with aches, pains, cravings and general sickness. The reality is, it’s hard to manage our health when nothing sounds good to eat and our only cravings seem to be for sugars and starches. So, what’s a gal to do? How do you push through the cravings and give your body and baby the healthy choices it requires for healthy functioning?

Today, we want to talk about nutrition and pregnancy and the monumental effect they have on one another. We also want to share with you some simple health hacks you can implement into your life feel better and have more energy.

Managing Increased Hunger

It’s very common and natural for your hunger levels to increase during pregnancy. You should never feel ashamed or embarrassed about needing more snacks or larger portion sizes at meals. As your pregnancy develops, it’s probably a wise idea to set a more regular eating schedule. By creating a disciplined eating schedule you will be better able to anticipate and control your hunger. As a good rule of thumb, you should be eating larger snacks or smaller meals every four to five hours.

Protein and Fiber Packed Snacks

Protein and fiber are not only essential for your body and your baby, but they also help fill you up and keep you satiated for longer periods of time.

High-Fiber Snack Ideas:

• Whole wheat toast with raspberry jam
• Steel cut oatmeal with applesauce
• Baked sweet potato fries
• Cottage cheese with pears
• Kale chips

High-Protein Snack Ideas:

• Hard boiled eggs
• Peanut butter and celery sticks
• String cheese
• Roasted chickpeas
• Almonds or cashews

Keeping Up with Your Folic Acid

Most of us don’t understand the importance of folic acid during pregnancy. Folic acid has been shown to help decrease the risk of neurological defects in babies. During your pregnancy try to eat foods that are naturally high in folic acid, like dark green vegetables and citrus fruits. You should also talk to your doctor about safe vitamins to take throughout your pregnancy. If you need help deciding on a vitamin be sure to ask us at your next appointment. We’ll be able to steer you in the right direction.

For more information about your health and your pregnancy, be sure to contact us today. We’ll sit down with you one on one to discuss a health plan for your pregnancy and get you in for your first chiropractic adjustment. We’re excited to be along with you on this ride!