We all know we should be eating healthy but with temptation everywhere and time always stepping in our way we often forget and go off the rails. So, in hopes to re-jog your intentions and reset you back on the healthy eating I have compiled my top 10 reasons to eat healthy during pregnancy.
- What you eat also feeds your baby. We wouldn’t start our babies on bottles of choc milk or soft drink, because we know they are unhealthy. So… why do we put these in our own body? Especially when we are carrying our next protege.
- To maintain weight. Eating healthy is a sure-fire way to encourage a healthy weight range especially when teamed with a little daily exercise. With excess weight causing many issues for pregnant women make sure you are in control of your weight gain and eating plenty of healthy foods.
- Because us pregnant women can get big appetites if we aren’t sick! With a big appetite comes big calorie intake, unless you are filling up on wholefoods which are high in nutrients but low in calories. So eat plenty and eat well!
- Your baby and your body need loads of nutrients! Luckily nature takes care of the growing baby first and pulls all the nutrients it can from our bodies, but this can also mean our bodies become deficient in a wide range of nutrients such as calcium, and we don’t want to not be able to supply enough of anything to our baby, this could cause birth defects. To ensure this doesn’t happen we need to eat nutrient dense, whole foods!
- You will feel better. We already have plenty making us feel sick, foggy brained, etc. A healthy diet can reduce feelings of illness and also lead to a clearer mind.
- For more energy. One of the biggest symptoms of pregnancy is fatigue and low energy, you are growing a human after all! In order to feel more energized we need a healthy diet providing nutrients to the muscles and brain. Also a healthy diet has low sugar levels and this leads to more constant energy levels (No sugar spikes!)
- To get plenty of Fibre. Another lovely symptom of pregnancy is that our smooth muscles including our bowels are relaxed, which creates gas and constipation (along with a few other reasons also contributing to this outcome). The best way to help things along and ease the pain this causes, is to have a high fibre diet. Fibre is hard to come by in processed foods and yet packed into whole foods. So eat fresh and healthy options to help move those stools!
- You will feel better about yourself. When we take care of ourselves by preparing a healthy meal or exercising we release those feel good hormones and it has a positive effect on our brain. During my pregnancy staying in a positive mindset was sometimes hard, and every chance to reset this was more than welcomed.
- Because we should always be eating healthy! Healthy eating is a life long choice we should all make. For sure have treats here and there and try new things but for the most part we should all be making the choice to eat healthy and live healthier lives.
- Because you have the best excuse! If your better half or friends decide they want to order in Chinese, you have the best excuse to call rank and say no. Pity this doesn’t extend to drinking a glass of amazing wine with every meal.. But I hear having toddlers and up is a pretty good excuse for that one ?
