4 foods to eat if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy

If you are pregnant or are planning for pregnancy you are probably turning more attention to what you eat. No matter what diet you subscribe to you no doubt want to make the best choices for your baby's health. After all you are what you eat and, while your baby grows inside you, so are they! 

Unfortunately, there is a lot of conflicting information out there from high protein diets, to vegan diets, to superfoods and you may have your own individual preferences and allergies to consider. Top that off with a bit of morning sickness and you may be left very confused. 

The good news is that no matter what dietary background you come from including more of the foods below as part of your normal diet will do wonders for your own health and your baby's. 

Eat as much fresh fruit as you desire

This may sound controversial at first since many experts recommend a high protein diet in pregnancy, however every organ system in the human body including the reproductive organs run on glucose or simple sugars found in fruit and other unprocessed carbohydrate foods. 

The truth is that fresh whole fruits are a whole package. They have the carbohydrates that supply our organs with energy. They also have abundant amino acids that are the building blocks for our cells also known as protein. 

Additionally, fruits are full of vitamins, minerals and enzymes to strengthen your and your baby's immune system. Fruit are the best foods for preventing infections from pathogens. 

Women who eat Plant-Based diets abundant in fresh fruits and low in fat have been shown to have lower rates of gestational diabetes and iron anaemia. 

Some of my favourite fruits to include are dates, coconuts, carob, oranges, grapefruits, and pomegranates among so many others. Follow the links to read more about the individual benefits of these fruits. 

Eat greens and veggies every day

Veggies are undeniably an important part of a healthy diet,  especially leafy greens. They are high in minerals needed for healthy bone and immune development. And they are low in calories and high in fibre which may help maintain healthy blood sugar and healthy weight gain in pregnancy. 

Dark leaves like Kale, collards, and broccoli are brimming with folate, a naturally occurring form of folic acid which is vital for fetal development and prevention of spina bifida. 

Lettuces are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy brain development. 

Introduce some wild foods into your diet

The benefits of many wild foods are as yet unknown to science, so grab a foraging manual and go for a walk in nature. Start with the plants you are already familiar with and take care because there are wild foods that are harmful. Depending on the season there are plenty of beneficial foods to choose from. 

If you are in late stages of pregnancy, raspberry leaves can be used to make a tea that is a uterine tonic. It tones the muscles of the uterus preparing them for the hard work of labour and helps them to contract and heal after your baby is born. 

If you are planning for pregnancy dandelion and burdock root are excellent cleansers that will help rid your liver and kidneys of toxins and create a cleaner more efficient home for your future baby. 

If you have experienced infertility rotating nettle, red raspberry leaf, and red clover blossom teas will help balance your hormones and promote healthy fertility. 

Wild berries like lignon berry (blueberry) and sweet cherry are known to be excellent cleansers and fertility promoting. 

Herbs and spices

There are many herbal remedies for pregnancy niggles from morning sickness, to anaemia, to labour pains, and more. Consult a herbalist for specific advice because herbs are powerful medicines and they should be prescribed on an individual basis. 

Some mild herbs to include in your diet for gentle healing properties are coriander, parsley, and ginger. 

Please note, that I am not a doctor or a dietician, I am merely sharing information that has been passed to me from ancestral knowledge and intuition. The article is organised according to what the Medical Medium calls the Holy Four food groups and is available in more detail in his books.  As Anthony William often says, this information is still unknown to science so it is impossible to cite. 

If you would like to know more about this information or if you would like to work with me as your doula please contact me using the links on the page.