Preview some of the recipes from Largeman-Roth’s book, Feed the Belly: The Pregnant Mom’s Healthy Eating Guide.
So you’re expecting? Mazel tov! Enjoy the wild ride of raging hormones, crazy cravings, and bizarre bodily changes that you’re about to begin. As if you didn’t have enough to deal with, you’re also going to be bombarded with a ton of conflicting—and unsolicited—advice, much of which involves what you put in your mouth. As someone who has just finished her nearly 10-month stint, let me help set the record straight. (Watch me on the Early Show talking about nutrition during pregnancy).
BIG OLD MYTHS
Myth No. 1: It’s time to eat up.
You’ve heard the phrase “eat for two” a million times. And even though you need extra nutrients like calcium (1000 mg) and iron (27–30 mg) while you’re pregnant, you don’t need any extra calories until the second trimester. Even then, it’s only an additional 300 each day, and the challenge is getting those calories from baby-building foods instead of Ben & Jerry’s. Try ¼ cup nuts plus ¼ cup dried fruit or ½ of a turkey sandwich. Remember, you don’t need to eat much more each day—just smarter.
Myth No. 2: Don’t sweat it.
Doctors used to advise their pregnant patients to put their feet up for the entire 40 weeks. These days we know that staying active during pregnancy will help you feel better, manage your stress, and even prevent pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes. It may also shorten the duration of your labor and help you snap back in shape postpartum. Even if you haven’t been following a regular exercise routine, you can start a walking program during pregnancy. Just make sure to check in with your doctor first.
Next: What’s the beef?
Comments (6)
want to buy the books of healthy life
First, I want to say that I’ve read your book, and I loved it. I checked it out of the library, but if/when I *finally* get pregnant (been trying for over a year, alas), I will buy my own copy—and that’s high praise, because I’m very cheap about buying books.
However, I did want to comment on your recommendation that a pregnant woman get her extra 300 calories from “half a turkey sandwich.” This advice flies directly against the admonition that pregnant women avoid deli meats—one which you support in the book.
Hi Galnoir,
You are absolutely correct–all lunch meats are a no-no during pregnancy due to the listeria risk. I should have specified that the turkey in the sandwich should be roasted turkey.
I’m so thrilled that you liked Feed the Belly! And best of luck on your journey to motherhood.
Best regards,
Frances
Galnoir- your issue with the turkey sandwich is premature as a turkey sandwich could be made with leftover turkey from a homemade meal.
i’d just like to second that you can be vegetarian and healthy during pregnancy.
my mother was vegetarian before and during her pregnancy with me and was a vegetarian all the time she breastfed me also. i was a fat and healthy vegetarian baby and am now a slim and healthy vegetarian 28 year old. i am above average height and have never broken a bone.
i feel totally comfortable being a vegetarian during pregnancy (when it happens) and bringing up my kids as vegetarians also.
i absolutely acknowledge that it is vital to eat a balanced diet, but just because you eat meat, it does not mean that you have a balanced diet. being brought up as a vegetarian has perhaps meant that i’m in fact more aware of how to eat healthily because you’re so often told that you must be unwell. i’ve had to learn to defend my position which has meant a lot of research on top of what my mother taught me.
Good information on nutrition and pregnancy. I always recommend a whole-food prenatal supplement to my pregnant cliets because the whole food supplements are easier for the body to absorb and utilize, they do not create nausea like isolated vitamins and they provide better nutrition. My top two whole food prenatal vitamins that I recommend are the vegetarian, organic Perfect Prenatal by New Chapter and the vegan Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal by Garden of Life.