-Healthy Pregnancy Snacks-

Healthy, thoughtful eating while pregnant can do so much in making pregnancy more comfortable, enjoyable, and ensuring that mama stays low risk and able to birth normally.

One thing that stands in the way of this for women, particularly your normal American woman eating the normal American diet, is snacking. Throwing in the difficulties of eating healthy when rushing off to work in the morning or chasing after other kids can make it even harder.

Here are some snacks that are filling, contain protein, and are fairly easy to make. Mamas often report that eating well can help with nausea, headaches, tiredness, and other "normal" pregnancy ailments. Dr Brewer also felt that a diet both balanced and rich in vegetables and high in protein could prevent toxemia and premature rupture of membranes.
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~Celery with peanut or almond butter or cream cheese~

~Cottage cheese with fruit or tomatoes~

~Boiled egg, plain or chopped on a salad~

~Apple with peanut butter~

~Raw nuts- you can get them in bulk at your local health food store, almonds are my favorite~

~Add coconut, pumpkin or sunflower seeds and raisins or dried cranberries to your morning oatmeal or granola, or just mix some of your favorites together for an easy trail mix. ~

~Cheese stick~

~Plain yogurt with some honey or fruit or some raw seeds~

~Buy or make your own granola with some added seeds~

~Fresh vegetables chopped with hummus to dip. You can make your own hummus with garbanzo beans, buy it dehydrated and just add water and olive oil, or buy it pre-made.~

~Fresh greens or sprouts with olive oil or your favorite dressing and some raw nuts and seeds on top or your favorite cheese~

~Whole grain crackers with cheese~

~Green smoothies- try some kale leaves with a few bananas and molasses to sweeten, enough ice to make it a smoothie and water, juice, or yogurt or milk to make it creamy. It is easy to add other whole food supplements to this too~

~Air popped popcorn with butter or olive oil and nutritional yeast sprinkled on it~

Feel free to add you own in the comments~

Preparing for Your Childbirth Class- Part 2

Part 2-
(This is part 2 of an ongoing series to help prepare students for their childbirth education class)

Proper Nutrition

A healthy diet is key to a healthy pregnancy, labor and recovery. Everything you eat is going to your baby so don't waste your calories. You don't have to be perfect, but don't fall into thinking that the baby will just get what it needs even if you are not eating properly.

We find that the mom's who feel best and stay low risk closely follow Dr Brewer's diet. In class you will get sheets to record your intake so you know how you are doing and can correct accordingly.

Here are some other great articles with information about pregnancy nutrition-

This post covers some easy and healthy pregnancy snacks. Many women have a harder time eating healthy when on the go or when they are already hungry.

Breastfeeding is the best way for your baby to get proper nutrition. Now is the time to start preparing for that by finding your local La Leche League and by learning about its many (hundreds!!!) benefits.