Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful experiences a woman could have in her lifetime. Also, during this stage, her body undergoes extreme changes to accommodate and nurture the growing life in her womb. As pregnancy progresses, a woman’s nutritional needs and appetite also increases. But staying fit and healthy is often a challenge especially when it comes to letting go of the so called “bad dietary habits”.
A pregnant woman is highly advised to limit, if not stay clear of a lot of things considered unhealthy including smoking, processed meat and sugars, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages. These commonly take the form of fast food— burger, pizza, and fries; frappe and tea— from one’s favorite coffee shop; sweet confections— donuts, cakes, and pastries; as well as other convenient store items like soda and instant juice drinks.
Moreover, consuming alcoholic drinks is a “big no-no” because of its potential to cause fetal development problems associated with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Carbonated drinks such as cola and juices available in the supermarket are high in sugar and additives, may contribute to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).
A pregnant woman though need not feel restricted when it comes to food choices. Instead of giving in or depriving oneself, a good way to satisfy cravings and meet one’s nutritional requirements is to simply find better alternatives. For example, a pregnant woman gets easily tired of drinking plain water, so a convenient preference would be to grab a soda or any other artificially flavored beverage. But a smarter option is sparkling water. Drink it as is or infuse with cut-up fruits, vegetables, and select herbs to jazz it up in endless ways. Here’s a simple recipe to try: steep sliced lemon, lime, and cucumber in Beloka sparkling mineral water for a few minutes to several hours in the fridge for a refreshing and naturally flavored drink. This is also a great way to keep hydrated while controlling caloric intake, with the added benefits of a boost in vitamin and mineral intake.