Eating for baby
Food gives us energy, vitamins and minerals. It helps to build healthy bones. It is also influential in providing the right nutrients for making a baby.
So when eating for baby, eating the right foods is really important. But what are the right foods? Or to look at it another way what are the wrong foods?
Certain foods have had a bad press for helping to conceive, such as sugar, alcohol and caffeine. Sometimes it can be hard to give these up completely, especially sugar, if this is the case than a 80-20 rule can be helpful so you don’t feel you are being required to do something too difficult.
Then what about the foods that can be helpful.
Zita West in her book Eat Yourself Pregnant suggests eating to optimize your fertility by linking your diet to your cycle. So there are 4 phases to this eating pattern:
Phase 1 is your period time. At this time it is a good idea to eat warm, nourishing foods such as soups. Choose a diet rich in iron and Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, kiwi fruit, leafy green veg and red peppers,as well as Vitamin B rich foods , such as whole grains, eggs and yeast extract.
In Phase 2 the body prepares for ovulation. Again foods containing Vitamin B and Vitamin C foods are good. For healthy implantation the immune system needs to be working well. Vitamin D is a must for this. Vitamin D is most easily got from the sun but salmon, sardines and shitake mushrooms can be used to supplement this source.
Phase 3 is the luteal part of the cycle when the womb lining needs to thicken to assist with implantation. Beta-carotene rich foods are needed now. This is an anti-oxidant which helps protect cells from damage. It can be found in butternut squash, carrots, kale, spinach and sweet potato.
Phase 4 happens if fertilization has not occurred, when hormone levels start to fall and this is when sugar cravings often take over. So use the 80-20 rule and aim to keep blood sugar stable by eating slow releasing carbs such as beans, pulses, vegetables, whole grains and some fruits , such as berries and citrus fruits.
Acupuncture can also help to get your body baby ready. If you would like more information or to book an appointment contact Angela on 07919 930188 or email me now