Pregnancy is a time to devote your efforts to the growing life inside of you. Congratulations! The food you eat will literally become the body of your child, so it is extremely important to eat well.
Pregnancy Misconception #1
“Pregnancy Cravings” don’t mean anything. These common and often strange cravings are your body’s way of getting much-needed vitamins and minerals into the body. Here are a few examples:
- Pickles/Peppercinis/Vinegar based foods– Indicates that your body needs probiotics in the form of fermented foods. Try eating foods that are raw and fermented, such as: sauerkraut, real pickles, kimchee, etc. And don’t be afraid to take a spoonful of the kraut juice daily!
- Spicy Food- Peppers are a highly concentrated source of Vitamin C. If you are tolerating the spicy food, enjoy! Try eating a whole orange as a snack. Keep in mind that fruit is digested best when eaten by itself. Also, eat whole fruit and avoid fruit juice, as the fiber you get in a whole fruit will prevent a blood sugar spike and decrease the likelihood of constipation
(Which can lead to hemorrhoids). Other foods that are high in Vitamin C are: Strawberries (Eat the whole thing! Strawberry leaves have been shown to have high concentrations of Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron. They also contain tannins which lower pH and may help alleviate nausea, upset stomach, and other digestive stresses), Kale (Also high in Vitamin K), Broccoli, Pineapple and Papaya (Both great sources of digestive enzymes which reduce bloating and gas), Kiwis, Cauliflower (Excellent Source of fiber and protein), Brussels Sprouts, Bell Pepper, Mango.
- Salty Food– You may need various minerals. Make sure you are using a salt that is rich in minerals, I recommend a Himalayan Pink Salt. This salt is lower in sodium than table salt and contains at least 84 minerals and trace elements, including iodine (Iodine deficiency is a known preventable cause of mental retardation in a fetus). Table salt is stripped of all of its minerals and iodine is added back in. Table salt can actually pull essential minerals from your bones and other tissues.
- Meat- You probably need iron and possibly protein. Iron Deficiency Anemia is very common during pregnancy. It is possible to avoid this condition with the right intake of iron from meat (especially liver), cooked spinach, chickpeas (Try Trader Joes hummus), pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, beans and lentils. Meat can be a nutritional powerhouse for you and your baby. Beef from grass-fed cows, grass-fed lamb, pasture-raised chicken and pork all contain omega-3 fatty acids. Corn fed meat (conventional) is full of Omega-6 fatty acids (Again, these fats throw off the DHA and EPA necessary for your baby). Packing some tree nuts (Not peanuts) with you is one of the best ways to keep up a steady source of protein throughout the day and they are also full of fat. I recommend unsalted macadamia nuts, raw almonds, brazil nuts and cashews (Trader Joes).
- Chocolate- Often indicates a magnesium deficiency. Every organ in the body uses magnesium and many suffer from a deficiency they are unaware of. This is especially important during pregnancy because of the increased demand on your cardiovascular system, kidneys, and muscles. Signs of deficiency (Other than chocolate cravings) are unexplained fatigue, muscle cramps, eye twitches and abnormal heart rhythms. Try soaking in an Epsom salt bath (Be sure to bring a big bottle of water with you and stay hydrated) or eating foods high in this mineral: Juiced dark leafy greens (Between 1 pint and 1 quart, daily), half a cup of pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, almonds and other tree nuts, salmon and other fish low in mercury, avocado, bananas, and DARK chocolate (Choose a bar low in sugar with a high percentage of cacao- 75% or more). “Calm” magnesium powder is a great supplement before bed. It will help with digestion, muscle cramping and sleep. Don’t exceed a total of 400 mg of magnesium per day.
- Sparkling Water or Soda– Carbonation settles the stomach and can help with the nausea of pregnancy. Club soda is VERY high in sodium and can actually dehydrate you. Stick with sparkling mineral water, or a brand without sodium (Perrier has no sodium and comes in yummy flavors). Stay away from sodas that are high in high fructose corn syrup (Contains mercury), sugar (Can contribute to gestational diabetes), or artificial sweeteners (Neurotoxic and destroy the healthy gut bacteria <Important for healthy emotions, immune system function, and the developing flora of your baby>).
- Ice Cream- This may just be a craving for healthy fats. It is most likely a manifestation of a combination of deficiencies (See Chocolate). Make sure
you are supplementing with DHA. Coconut milk ice cream tastes great and provides the right kind of fat for your baby’s developing nervous system. Avoid Soy Milk products, as soy milk is usually GMO and full of omega-6 fatty acids (Throws off the DHA and EPA necessary for your baby). Also, be liberal with grass-fed butter (Kerrygold is a great brand).
- Coffee- Coffee is both addictive and ceremonial in nature. This can be one of the most difficult things to cut out during pregnancy (I am speaking from experience). Stay away from caffeine in general during your first trimester, at least. Caffeine has been shown to increase the risk of miscarriage, although is considered “safe” in small amounts by the National Health Service (up to 200mg). It is best to avoid coffee and other caffeine all together, but there are safer alternatives if you need a cup here and there. Traditional “Decaf” coffee uses methylene chloride, activated charcoal, or ethyl acetate to remove caffeine. It is best to limit chemical exposure during your pregnancy. I recommend buying organic decaf, which uses the “Swiss Water Process” (Whole Foods, Sprouts, etc.). The process is clean and results in coffee that is 99.9% caffeine free. Believe it or not, espresso contains less caffeine than drip coffee, because the water passes through fast and has less time to extract caffeine. Try using organic (grass fed if possible), heavy whipping cream in your coffee. Heavy whipping cream is delicious and contains no sugar, as it is 100% fat- a necessary component for your developing baby!
Look for the next Post,
Common Misconception No. 2. There is nothing you can do about “morning Sickness”
Pregnancy Misconception #1