Food For Pregnant Women - Which Are Good Cravings During Pregnancy
Why does it seem like it's always in the middle of the night when you get cravings during pregnancy? Suddenly you have a craving for a cheese and pickle sandwich; so your hubby dutifully goes to the kitchen and makes one for you. Good thing, right? After all, your baby needs the extra nutrition, yes?
Not necessarily; women often get cravings during pregnancy and they can be so strong as to render you helpless against them. And, it's not necessarily bad to give into these cravings, because your body does indeed need nutrition (a liitle extra nutrition) when you're pregnant. However, be careful what you label "necessary" just because it's a craving.
Cravings apart, food for pregnant women is really the same as the food you need when you are not pregnant except now it is even more important that it is healthy food. In fact eating a healthy diet will ease your nausea and other pregnancy symptoms including keeping those cravings during pregnancy under better control. But did you know there is certain food for pregnant women that should be avoided?
What do cravings during pregnancy REALLY mean?
Experts are somewhat divided on this, but most agree that cravings during pregnancy are mostly due to the hormonal swings a woman experiences during this time and also because your body is busy developing your baby 24 hours a day. So, things like chocolate and comfort foods might make you feel better, but they are not necessarily good food for pregnant women especially if you overly indulge in them - a little treat rather than a whole chocolate cake for example can help.
It's also a very good idea to try to find healthier substitutions for these cravings during pregnancy whenever you can. So, for example, if you have a craving for ice cream, try instead to indulge in something healthier, like a
"Yogurt shake"
You can easily and quickly make a yourt shake using plain fat-free yogurt, fat free milk, some ice cubes, a banana, some strawberries, and some cocoa powder all whipped together in a blender to produce a frothy, creamy shake that's packed with calcium, protein and other nutrients - good food for pregnant women.
Understanding your cravings during pregnancy can help control the excess weight issue that can easily arise. Whilst food for pregnant women is commonly referred to as "eating for two" this is a bit of a misnomer. In reality you only need a little extra to cater for your extra nutrition during pregnancy. More so in the last 3 months of pregnancy but even then it is the equivalent of only a small sandwich a day.
What is "good" food for pregnant women?
Food for pregnant women, think "nutrition" first and foremost. So, you might have a craving for a nice, lean piece of roast beef, some steamed asparagus, and a baked potato. That's a nutritious, protein packed meal, and it's relatively low in calories to avoid the extra weight gain that might otherwise come with it, so go ahead and indulge, of course you might also want pickles or icecream with it too....
Basically you need to understand what your body is trying to tell you with these cravings during pregnancy but sometimes the messages aren't clear. If generally you eat a healthy diet, avoid the food for pregnant women that is not good for you or your baby, you will have a healthier pregnancy and be better prepared for the big day.
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Labels: cheese and pickle, chocolate cake, cocoa powder, eating a healthy diet, get pregnant, pregnancy symptoms, pregnancy tips, woman experiences