Is it really too late to make the switch?

Pregnant Again? Now’s the Perfect Time for the Whole Family to Start Eating Right

By: Sonia Moran 

In the journey to developing healthy eating habits for our families, more and more emphasis is placed on lifestyle adjustments instead of just changes in diet. This integral approach simply makes sense- if fueling your body with nutritious substances is a habit, it will come much more easily than abruptly switching from processed items to whole foods.

Many of us are at different stages in this journey, but being pregnant is an especially good time to start your family on the right track.  

Source:  visualphotos.com

Research shows that food items and flavors are transmitted from mother to baby in the womb, creating the basis for their eating habits down the road. If you’re interested reading more about the science behind this, click here for a great article from NPR. The notion of nurturing a growing child is enough to give many mothers-to-be the push they need to really change their lifestyles, and it’s the perfect excuse to improve your older children’s eating habits as well.

Essentially, the nutrients consumed during pregnancy are used to nourish growing infants and help develop their senses when it comes to taste and smell. Plus, common sense tells us that once baby is born, she’ll eat what you eat at home.

So how can you eat well during pregnancy? If you’re starting at the very beginning, you may be surprised how easy it is to make a few simple changes to your family’s diet. Kids as young as 3 will understand and be excited to start eating foods that will help baby grow in mommy’s tummy- it’s all part of preparing to welcome a new family member!

Start by learning as much as you can about what NOT to buy- remember that what you have on hand is what you’ll eat, so eliminate the junk and you’ll have less chance of grabbing it and doling it out when you’re in a hurry.

Make the switch from white to whole wheat bread, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta. Your family will see that these healthy options actually taste amazing- they are richer and more filling too.  

Plan to offer at least one serving of fruits or vegetables (more if you can!) with each and every meal. Think of what your kids like and go with that- add strawberries to cereal, pack carrot sticks with sandwiches and add a heaping serving of yummy veggies to each dinner plate.  

Source: goredforwomen.org

Take advantage of superfoods to get a great boost- Oprah’s got an excellent list here. Things like blueberries, spinach, beets, avocados and quinoa can provide a whopping dose of vital nutrients in small servings.

Snack healthy and keep foods on hand to satisfy your cravings. Think baked tortilla chips with guacamole loaded with tomatoes, onions, lime and cilantro, or low-fat frozen yogurt topped with bananas and dark chocolate chips. Kids can pitch in when baking whole wheat cookies or muffins.

Try your best to avoid low blood sugar emergencies- AKA when you’re all starving and ready to eat the first greasy thing you can get your hands on. Be sure to plan ahead and provide plenty of protein-packed options throughout the day.

Taking advantage of your pregnancy to start your family on a healthy path will give you more energy to keep up as a pregnant mom. It will also establish great eating patterns for your baby and give the entire gang a better chance at health and happiness. Best of all, it’s easier than you may think!

This article was brought to you by Amoralia.com, where you can find great info on breastfeeding and healthy pregnancy habits, and gorgeous maternity nightwear.