Archive for May, 2010
Nutrition, Pregnancy and Constipation
Posted by: | CommentsPregnancy can be a joyous time, but it also brings with it some side-effects that can cause discomfort and anxiety.
Whilst it is advised that pregnant women avoid using medication of any kind; modern or herbal, there are some remedies that can be used safely to ease the unwanted symptoms that are associated with pregnancy.
Constipation can occur at any time during your pregnancy.
It makes opening your bowels and passing stools difficult and uncomfortable.
There is only a limited amount of space in your abdominal cavity and your uterus and baby are taking up ever increasing amounts of it – hence the rest of your organs get a little bit squeezed.
Unfortunately, straining can lead to haemorrhoids.
Foods that have special recognition as laxatives include almonds, apricots (dried), avocados, chicory, coconut, dandelion, dates, endive, figs, flaxseed, grapes, mango’s, olive, papayas, parsley, persimmons, pineapple, prunes, rhubarb, soybeans, turnips, walnuts, watercress.
Include a combination of these in your diet as fresh salads, soups or snacks. Increase your intake of the above and if still constipated, increase again and lessen your intake of meat, dairy and highly processed food.
A lack of water in your system is a large contributing factor to constipation.
Water is essential to many bodily actions and elimination of waste is very high on the list.
Pure water – not tea, coffee or soft drinks or alcohol.
Add some lemon, mint or fresh fruit juice for flavour if needed, but drink water!
Juicing is a fantastic way of getting essential foods in a fast acting and refreshing way.
A variety of delicious juices can be made if you have a juicing machine, alternatively fresh juices can be purchased.
Avoid those made from concentrate and buy organic juices where possible.
Prune juice is top of the list as a laxative, but apple, pear, and asparagus are also good.
They can also be greatly eased by making small changes to what you eat.
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Common Pregnancy Ailments – Nutrition and Morning Sickness
Posted by: | CommentsThe misnamed Morning Sickness is one of the most common ailments of pregnancy, and can be, in fact the first indication of pregnancy to some women.
Most women suffer from morning sickness at some point during their first trimester. And it can occur at any time of the day – not only in the morning.
The main cause of pregnancy nausea is thought to be the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is produced in large quantities until your placenta takes over the functions of maintaining and nourishing the pregnancy.
It is for this reason that pregnant mothers are often told that sickness will resolve at around 12 to 14 weeks.
However, morning sickness can continue throughout your whole pregnancy.
If you are at all worried then see your Midwife or GP about your continuing sickness.
If you are tired, hungry, stressed or anxious the nausea may be much worse, and if you are expecting twins or triplets you may vomit more often because you have higher levels of pregnancy hormones.
Other possible explanations for nausea can be from where the body was detoxing or where there are problems maintaining the blood sugar balance.
Nutritionally speaking there are things you can do to help quell the nausea.
- Always try to eat breakfast, preferably containing some protein such as yogurt or soya. If you can’t face eating – try a smoothie and add a little yogurt to it. Even if you manage a little something, it is better than nothing!
- Eat small meals with snacks of fruit and seeds.
- Avoid refined and sugary foods and high-fat junk food that contain a lot additives and preservatives.
- Drink plenty of water between meals and avoid or decrease your caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Take a good multivitamin that has substantial levels of the B vitamins and zinc. Cytoplan’s Family Formula is a good place to start.
- The Tissue Salt Nat Phos (no 10) is very good for helping quell the feeling of nausea (New Era are not suitable for vegans)
- If the sickness persists then take 50mg of vitamin B6 twice a day and between 200 and 500g of Magnesium once a day until it subsides.
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