March is National Nutrition Month. I’d like to start off this month’s blog post with discussing pregnancy and healthy food choices.
We can begin with a topic many know about, pregnancy and cravings. The desire for foods you must have and have them now! Are cravings usually healthy choices? Most likely not all the time.
So let’s talk about the top five pregnancy craving foods:
- Chocolate! Is this a surprise to anyone chocolate is the number one craving? Since chocolate is a must have for most people, why not have more when you are eating for two! Chocolate tastes good, makes you happy and in some doses of dark chocolate can be healthy for you!
- Pickles! Another surprise, I think not! Probably the most used food for pregnancy cravings around. The reason may be a need for more sodium and processed pickles have that. It could be the vinegar taste to counteract the sweet of chocolate or just a crunchy food fix!
- Spicy foods. This was a surprise to me to be so high on the list. We are talking spicy chilis, and hot peppers like jalapenos! One theory is as women feel hot many times in pregnancy the heat of the peppers causes a sweat reaction which is actually a body cool down.
- Ice cream. Another shocker! A sweet, creamy treat and is also very cooling and delicious. Happy food!
- Lemons. I found this a very interesting craving. It seems pregnant women crave foods that are sour and hence the lemon craving. As a pregnant woman’s taste buds can change she may want to have a sour element versus the sweet chocolate or ice cream.Also included in the cravings list are fruits, which are a great source of water and nutrition for pregnancy; salty chips as potato or tortilla; carbonated sweet drinks coffee or caffeine which should always be approved by your physician before you consume it while pregnant; and rounding out the top ten is ice-valued for its cooling, crunchy texture is also great for hydration.Just a fun list to see what women crave during the very special time of pregnancy. Some will have other cravings, some none. Good nutrition is key in any lifestyle but especially when you are expecting and eating for two. Be aware of consuming products that are loaded with sugar, sodium, artificial flavors, preservatives and colors. Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. Drinking fresh fruit juices and water along with natural seltzers for the fizz are great alternatives to soda.Always consult your physician to make sure of what you can and cannot eat during a your pregnancy. If you would like to learn how to live and eat healthier, check out my LEAN Essentials program on my events page. Contact me for more information.Congratulations and good luck to all who are pregnant or are thinking about it. The best is yet to be!http://listdose.com/top-10-foods-pregnant-women-crave-for/
*Disclaimer:
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Kim Gerhardt, Certified Health Coach, does not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
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