Healthy nutrition habits are one of the main keys to setting yourself up for a healthy birth. Getting ample protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and oils and good-quality salt in your diet are keys to good nutrition.
Minimizing sugar intake is one of the most important things you can do in your pregnancy, and for some people this is easier said than done! With our busy lifestyles that make quick blood-sugar fixes tempting and easy, it can be hard for people with a sweet tooth to minimize sugar intake during birth, but it’s one of the things that is SO WORTH IT in terms of how much better you’ll feel and how much better you’ll be setting yourself up for a healthy birth and baby.
Increase Your Protein
Sometimes we crave sugar as an energy boosting source when we aren’t getting enough protein in our diets. If you are craving sugar late in the day, it’s often a sign of insufficient protein earlier on in the day. Making sure you have protein for breakfast can be a really easy way to lower sugar cravings throughout the day, as well as having protein-rich snacks with you throughout the day.
Increase Your Hydration
Starting your day off with warm or cold lemon water and continuing to sip on lemon water and / or herbal teas throughout the day keeps your body hydrated and less prone to cravings.
Increase Vitamin B
Sugar cravings are sometimes a sign of low B vitamins. B vitamins can be found in food sources such as whole grains, brown rice, seeds, beans, lentils eggs, chicken, fish, avocados, and carrots. You can also take a prenatal multivitamin with Vitamin B or add a B Vitamin supplement to your regimen.
Exercise
Regular exercise can help stabilize blood sugars and reduce sugar cravings. Brisk walks after each meal, prenatal dance or yoga classes, hiking, swimming, etc are all great prenatal exercises. Exercise reduces risk of gestational diabetes and keeps your body mobile and healthy which helps set you up for a smooth birth.
Bonus Tip:
Cinnamon has blood sugar stabilizing properties and also has a sweet-ish flavour that can satisfy a sugar craving. Try adding cinnamon to your tea or as a seasoning to your snack to stave off sugar cravings!