Morning sickness, swollen ankles, fatigue, and hormonal mood swings are just a few of the downsides of having a bun in the oven. The upside is, of course, the fact that you can eat for two, and the cute baby that emerges after a potentially painful and traumatic birthing experience.
To assist you on your pregnancy journey, we’ve created a list of five pregnancy-symptom-reducing-foods to eat when you’re pregnant.
1. Ginger
Ginger has been every household’s remedy of choice for nausea – because it actually works. Try drinking a glass of ginger ale, or add a few slices of raw ginger into your tea when a bout of morning sickness hits.
2. Anti-Inflammatory
Swollen feet and ankles? Then make every effort to reduce your consumption of inflammation-causing foods such as meat, cheese, fried foods and refined carbs. Also, increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, tomatoes, nuts, and fruits.
3. Spinach
Folic acid is essential in any pregnant woman’s diet. The nutrient assists in preventing birth defects from forming in the brain and spinal cord. Popeye’s favourite superfood, spinach, is packed with folic acid. One cup of spinach equates to 15 percent of the recommended daily allowance, so add a cup of spinach to your stir-fry or smoothie. Alternatively, take a folic acid supplement every day.
4. Iron
Iron is a vital component in the production of hemoglobin. Pregnancy can increase your chances of developing anemia, as your body uses a large amount of iron to produce additional blood for you and your infant. So make sure that your ante-natal vitamins have the correct amount of iron. To maximize your iron intake also consume iron-rich foods such as tofu, lentils, meat, and fish.
5. Cocoa
Want to bust symptoms of anxiety and moodiness? Then reach for a raw cocoa hot chocolate or a few pieces of dark chocolate. It’s been proven that cocoa has the ability to give you an instant mood boost.
