When you learn you are pregnant, there can be many items your brain tells you to focus on—like putting together a nursery, perhaps getting a bigger vehicle, and even how maternity leave will affect your work-life balance. It can be overwhelming, during what should be a joyous time. In reality, one of the only things you need to focus on in the first trimester is your nutrition.
Adopt a Nutrient-Rich Diet
Our philosophy at Clear Chiropractic for nutrition is simple—eat whole (real), unprocessed foods, in ways as close to nature as possible. For example, instead of grabbing an applesauce, which could be loaded with sugar, preservatives, and chemicals, eat an apple instead. Our nervous system can break down, integrate and assimilate nutrients much more efficiently when foods are in their whole state. Supplementation with a good quality prenatal vitamin can help, but there is no substitute for a high quality, nutrient-rich diet.
Consider Your Mealtimes
Timing of your meals is also another first trimester consideration. Many pregnant moms struggle with fatigue, food aversions, and nausea in the first trimester, and many of those symptoms can be improved by eating small frequent meals. Our team recommends moms-to-be have nuts or crackers right by their bed to curb nausea, and suggests they eat something right away in the morning and right before bed at night to help.
Eating small, more frequent meals will help stabilize your blood sugars and make your first trimester more enjoyable.
Balance Your Macronutrients
The other component of blood sugar management is to ensure you balance your macronutrients. This means pairing fat and protein together with every meal, so you’re not just eating carbs by themselves. As an example, if you’re going to eat an apple, put nut butter on it or eat it with a piece of cheese. If you’re going to eat crackers, make sure you spread pieces of avocado on those crackers.
The fat and the protein are both necessary because they take longer to break down than simple carbs, so they keep you satisfied longer. They’re going to keep your digestive system happier. If you’d like to learn more, call us and make an appointment.
Our team is happy to help our patients discover new ways to incorporate healthy eating habits into their pregnancy!