Jun

Nutrition and Natural Pregnancy

There are a number of foods and natural remedies that can be used to enhance both your health and that of your baby.

Calc Fluor

This tissue salt aids the development of strong teeth and bones in babies.

It also helps keep the pelvic area toned and supple, ready for labour, and promotes skin elasticity, helping to prevent stretch marks.

How to use

Take 1 dose twice daily for 10 days, ideally as soon as you realize you are pregnant. It is, however, beneficial at any time during pregnancy.

Chickpeas

These legumes are an ideal vegetarian source of zinc, a mineral that plays a vital role in the formation of healthy new tissues in the unborn baby.

Zinc also helps babies develop a robust immune system.

Low levels have been linked to cravings in early pregnancy and post-natal depression, so ensure a good intake of this nutrient right through your pregnancy.

Chickpeas are also rich in calcium and magnesium – both of which are needed for the formation of babies’ bones – and are an excellent source of folic acid.

How to use

Add sprouted chickpeas to salads.

Alternatively, soak overnight and simmer with other vegetables (for at least 30 minutes) to make soups.

For a light but filling lunch try eating hummus (made from pureed chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini and garlic) with pitta bread, or use as a dip for raw vegetable crudités.

Folic Acid

This vitamin is very important in pregnancy, especially during the first three months.

Studies have shown that 400µg a day in the early stages of pregnancy can help prevent neural tube defects in babies, and it may also help prevent premature birth.

How to use

Although folic acid is found in many foods, it is destroyed by cooking.

To ensure an adequate daily intake during the most critical stages of an unborn baby’s development, health practitioners strongly recommend that women take 400µg of folic acid every day if there is any chance of them becoming pregnant.

As it may also help alleviate anxiety and depression, it’s sensible to take folic acid during the whole pregnancy.

Ginger

Studies have shown ginger to be highly effective for easing the nausea associated with morning sickness.

It can also help relieve indigestion, heartburn and travel sickness, and is recommended for poor circulation.

How to use.

To relieve sickness, try sipping warm ginger tea.

To make, put 1tsp fresh grated ginger into a mug of boiling water and infuse for 5 minutes, strain and sweeten with honey.

Alternatively, nibble a few pieces of crystallized ginger, or even plain ginger biscuits.

Wheatgerm Oil

Rich in vitamin E, wheatgerm oil is renowned for its ability to enrich, nourish and preserve the skin, helping to keep it supple and young-looking, and reducing the likelihood of stretch marks appearing.

How to use

Dilute 2tsp wheatgerm oil in 4-5tsp of a lighter carrier oil such as sweet almond.

Massage into the skin, preferably after a bath or shower, concentrating on the abdomen, thighs and breasts which are more prone to stretch marks.

If you have an intolerance or allergy to wheat, substitute wheatgerm oil with pure vitamin E oil.

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