New Mum, New Diet: How to Eat Right for Your Baby

Eating right during and after pregnancy isn’t only about weight management.  Eating right during and after pregnancy is about giving you and your baby the best possible chance for living a long and healthy life. 

It is absolutely crucial for you as a pregnant or breastfeeding mom to have a healthy diet. Your body nourishes your baby with the vital nutrients your baby needs during the physical and psychological stages of development.  These are crucial to his or her lifelong health and wellness. Hence, the less toxins and preservatives you allow into your system while pregnant and breastfeeding, the better your baby’s chance of developing into a strong child and later adult. If you are a new or expecting mom, here are a few tips for how to eat for you and your baby:

• Water, Water, Water: It is super important to stay hydrated especially when or if you are breastfeeding. Drinking lots of water will help your system run smoothly during pregnancy.  It will also replenish the fluid you lose from breastfeeding once your baby is born. Drink at least 8 if not more glasses of water a day.
• Fruits and Veggies Galore: All of the vitamins and nutrients we need to support physical development and maintain our immune systems are found in fruits and veggies. Babies need as many nutrients as they can get so eating enough fruits and veggies each day will ensure that your body is a vitamin temple.
• Say No to Processed Foods: Processed foods are a major no-no for new mothers. Processed foods may seem enticing because they are an easy choice when you are tired and lacking energy but they can be an unhealthy choice for you and your baby.  Processed food drains you of energy, fills your body with unhealthy preservatives, and weakens your immune system. 
• Eat with Intention: Healthy eating requires conscious planning and this is especially true when you are pregnant or have an infant. Pregnancy and a new baby bring about new types of stress that you may not have experienced before, so you need to be more vigilant about how you eat and how you plan what you eat. Work with your partner to develop a grocery shopping and meal plan of action that facilitates nutritious eating. Make lists, use a weekly meal planner, or cook healthy food in bulk and deep freeze it. However you decide to do it, being organized about your eating habits will help you eat healthier and feel less stressed.

Are you pregnant or a new mum? Are you looking for more information on how to keep you and your baby healthy?  Then surf on over to our Facebook page and Twitter and get involved. We’d love to hear you from you!