Being pregnant is such a special time in your life, but between cravings and morning sickness, eating healthy may not be easy, especially if you are considering becoming or continuing a Paleo friendly diet. So many people are going Paleo these days for health reasons, especially to help limit processed foods, but is being Paleo while preggers posing a dilemma? ? Jackie Tane, dietitian and co-founder of Skinny Soiree, is here to give Paleo Friendly (“PF”) Preggers Tips to ensure you and your baby get the proper nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy!
So first off, what is the Paleo diet? In a nutshell, the Paleo diet, also called the “Caveman” diet, which centers around the idea that if cavemen didn’t eat it then we shouldn’t either. Basically, Paleo approved foods are those that can be hunted, fished or gathered, including: meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, veggies, and fruits. Off-limit foods include: grains, dairy, beans, and sugar (Don’t worry, there are still ways to satisfy your sweet tooth!). Why? Proponents attribute the rise of obesity and other illnesses (ie: heart disease and diabetes) to the agricultural revolution and the addition of grains, legumes and dairy to the human diet. While there are most likely other factors involved, the Paleo diet certainly promotes lots of fruits, veggies and lean protein. Carbohydrates are not eliminated, but consumed in non-processed forms, such as fruits and root vegetables.
On to how Jackie recommends you make this work for you… Jackie writes….
By far the most common food aversion women experience during pregnancy is to meat and green leafy vegetables – both of which contain super important nutrients needed during pregnancy. While the suggestions provided may help you boost your intake of these foods and nutrients that come along with them, keep in mind that you only need 300 extra calories during pregnancy (the equivalent of 24 almonds and 2 Tbsp of chia seed) – not an intimidating amount of food to get down! And remember, your body actually produces hormones that make it easier to acquire and store nutrients during pregnancy so just relax and do your best.
A Breakdown of nutrients you and your baby need with Paleo-friendly solutions:
Calcium aka “the structural” nutrient
Fiber aka “the filling” nutrient
Folate/ Folic acid aka “the pregnancy” vitamin
Iron aka “the oxygen carrier”
Protein aka “the power” nutrient
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