Expectant Moms, This is For You! My Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Health in Check During Pregnancy, When Your Diet Isn’t!

Being pregnant is hard enough… but throw in a 1 year old, a husband, a full-time job and a growing nutrition business and it can be near impossible to take care of yourself! Can anyone else relate?!

For most of us Moms, our lives are hectic! We do what we can to make it through each day without putting our laundry in the oven and our coffee in the fridge. When you’re creating a new addition to your family though, it can be extra challenging to keep your health and eating habits on point. So to help you, I’ve listed my 5 favourite go-to products for busy expectant moms who need a nutrition boost in order to handle life like you have everything under control… because ‘of course you do!’ Right…

1. Progressive Harmonized Vegan Protein

What is it about #pregnancylife that makes us love #allthecarbs?! Could anyone else just eat bread for 9 months and be happy? This girl could! Which is great, except that we tend to neglect the other important nutrients our bodies need like Protein, which is so important during pregnancy! The amino acids that make up protein are the building blocks of our body’s cells – and of your baby’s. Protein is especially critical during the second and third trimesters when baby is growing the fastest, and our breasts and organs are getting bigger to accommodate the needs of our growing baby.

Adding a scoop of vegan protein to my morning smoothie or to my bowl of oatmeal is an easy ways to increase my protein intake and helps me feel confident that I’m getting enough protein in my diet throughout the day. I prefer vegan protein’s to other whey protein products because I find it’s easier on my stomach and doesn’t give me that bloated sensation. If you’re using whey protein now and experience a gassy sensation after having it, definitely try vegan protein as an alternative! Progressive is my favourite brand as well for the quality and the taste. It’s also dairy-free and gluten-free!

2. NFH Pre Natal SAP

Good nutrition in pregnancy is a no-brainer. However, eating healthy and making sure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals you need isn’t always possible (especially if you can’t stomach them! *Cough* First Trimester). That’s why taking a good prenatal is so important. It’s your catch-all to make sure both you and baby are nutritionally covered, if all you can seem to keep down is bread and peanut butter.

There are so many amazing options on the market so it’s always best to consult with your doctor about which one is right for you.  I’ve tried a lot of them and really like the NFH Pre Natal, but definitely look around to see if there are others that are better suited for your needs.

3. Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA

Omega-3 fatty acids have been on the ‘important supplements to take’ list for a while now. Getting them during pregnancy however, is crucial. DHA is one of the two most beneficial omega’s (the other is EPA) and supports the brain, eyes and central nervous system, which supports baby’s growth. Moreover, because baby is using all your Omega-3’s for their development, pregnant woman can become depleted in omega-3s as a result – which makes taking them doubly important during this time.

4. Prairie Naturals Vitamin D

First of all, if you live in Canada like I do, you know that we don’t get tons of sunlight throughout the year. Which means my vitamin D supplement is on regular rotation for me whether I’m pregnant or not. However, when I am pregnant, this supplement is even more important for the immune function, healthy cell division and bone health of my baby. So I make sure to increase my dose of vitamin D during this time to ensure we’re both getting enough!

5. Genestra Calcium Magnesium

During the second trimester, the baby’s skeleton and tooth enamel form, and as a result, calcium and magnesium are needed in higher amounts. If we’re not taking enough, our bodies will become depleted in these nutrients which can result in leg cramping and for some, tooth decay. Personally, I noticed that my teeth suffered a lot in my first pregnancy and as a result I increased my trips to the dentist and my cal/mag supplement and it helped a lot! I love the Genestra Cal/Mag supplement in their vanilla liquid form – it tastes great and also comes in a berry flavour as well!

Lastly, although not a supplement, I always ensure that I’m eating and drinking an ample sources of fermented foods during my pregnancy for gut health. These superfoods establish good bacteria in your intestines that support the health of you and baby. Easily digestible milk (ensure it’s pasteurized) and coconut kefirs, kombucha, as well as cultured vegetables and things like kimchi and sauerkraut are especially nourishing to a mother’s inner ecology. Maintaining a healthy gut is a crucial first step to wellness for you and your baby and can support the development of baby’s immune system and brain development. This can be especially important for Mom during pregnancy when our bowl movements aren’t always at their best!

Well that’s all for now. As always, if you are expecting, I recommend that you always go and see your healthcare specialist first before taking any supplements or foods to ensure you’re getting the best advice for you as well as the proper doses. Once you do, I recommend heading over to your local Healthy Planet to grab everything! They have all the supplements you need and tons of food and natural health products for both you and baby – it really is a one-stop-shop – which for busy expectant moms is PERFECT! And if you shop online and spend over $149, you can use the code LindseyHealth. Enjoy!

Wishing you a healthy happy pregnancy!

With love and nut butter,

Lindsey Xx