Eating a Variety of Foods While Pregnant
Being pregnant can add a new level of difficulty to eating a variety of foods. Morning sickness, food aversions, fatigue and increased hunger can work together making you feel less and less like cooking every day. No matter how tired you feel or how quickly you want to eat you can still enjoy the benefits of eating a variety of foods if you learn a few tricks.
Make the most of good days by cooking a double batch of healthy meals and freezing the second portion. Even if you don't want to make a full second batch, enlarge the meal enough to have a good amount of leftovers you can enjoy later in the week as a dinner or lunch.
Keeping a batch of soup in the fridge or freezer can be a great way to get a variety of vegetables without having to wait for a snack.
Organize your refrigerator so ingredients for salads and sandwiches are easily accessible and ready to be used. You are much more likely to eat the fruit, vegetables and sandwich fillers if they are ready to eat. Convenience can be a plus when you are tired or hungry.
If you enjoy eating tossed salads, vary the ingredients you buy to put in it. Select different greens each week and rotate your olives, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, carrots, sprouts and salad toppers such as nuts, seeds and cheeses. A bowl with a tight fitting lid can keep made-up salads fresh for a few days so you can grab as much as you are hungry for quickly.
A crock pot makes dinner easy if you have the energy in the morning to toss in a few ingredients. Find a few recipes you know you like and keep them handy for days you know you will be too busy to cook. You are less likely to resort to junk food if dinner is all ready for you.
Add more variety to your old standbys with cooked vegetables. If your daughter will only eat macaroni and cheese, and you simply don't have the energy to cook two meals, add some frozen chopped vegetables to the noodles while they cook. You can do the same thing with other common family favorites such as spaghetti, casseroles and lasagna. Don't forget to have a salad on the side since it is already to be served in your refrigerator.
If you buy food with the intention of using it only to throw it out when it goes bad, stock up on a few frozen vegetables and fruits. You can add the vegetables to other dishes and eat the fruit plain or make it into smoothies. As long as you keep it in a sealed bag, it should be good for weeks and you will have a variety of fruit and vegetables available for every meal and snack.
Learn how to use your microwave to cook vegetables and grains. It only takes a few minutes to steam a vegetable or cook oatmeal, but that few minutes can mean the difference between eating the same quick thing or something new.
What would you like next?Learn comfort techniques for labor. Explore the process of labor. Find products to help you enjoy pregnancy and prepare to give birth.. Read research about birth options. Find natural birth resources in your area. |
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