Are you suddenly running from your favorite foods, or is the sight of chicken making you swear off meat for life? You may be experiencing food aversions which is something many women struggle with during their first trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes this unfortunate symptom can last the whole nine months, although a lot of women find it passes as they enter their 2nd trimester. While you thought you would be sending your husband out to the store to satisfy your unusual pregnancy craving, you might instead be asking him to not eat his burrito within a 5 mile radius of you, and to have his morning brew at work because even the sight of coffee is making you queasy. Here are some tips to help you cope with food aversions and maintain a healthy diet during your pregnancy.
1. Don’t Wait Until You Are Hungry
One thing I noticed when I was pregnant that if I waited until I was really hungry, by then my nausea was giving me severe food aversions so nothing I could get my hands on sounded good. I found that if I ate small meals throughout the day it would keep my sickness at bay and I wouldn’t be so tuned off to my usual go-to snacks and meals.
2. Substitute
If you cannot stomach meat during the hard first few months, a common food aversion for pregnant women, then seek out another way to make sure you are getting enough protein into your diet. Cheese, eggs, yogurt and nuts are all great alternatives to make sure you are getting your required amount of protein.
3. Find Something To Help Sooth Your Tummy Troubles
While dealing with food aversions is bad enough, it can often trigger the dreaded morning sickness which can be a vicious cycle when you are trying to eat a healthy diet for yourself and your growing babe. In between meals try to keep something on hand that is soothing for your tummy, like mints, sparkling water, game or hard ginger or lemon candies. A soothed tummy may be the key to avoiding some of those nasty aversions.
4. Options
While you maybe didn’t expect an increase in your grocery bill so soon, a good idea to help with food aversions is lots of options. What sounds great today may be your worst nemesis tomorrow. Make sure to keep your fridge stocked with plenty of options so that you have a better chance of coming across something you can stomach. If you find yourself wasting food, make a plan to freeze fresh fruit and veggies that you can always add them to smoothies at a later date.
5. Talk Yo Your Spouse
If you find yourself turning your nose up at meals you husband has lovingly cooked for you, or your usual meal planning has been thrown out of the window, then make sure you take time to explain what is happening with your spouse. If this is your first baby, there is a good chance they didn’t see it coming. You can tell them that up to 85% of women struggle with food aversion during their pregnancy and it most likely will end as you move into your 2nd trimester. Their support will be invaluable during this time – just let them know how they can help.
6. Give Yourself A Break
While it is important to maintain a healthy diet during your pregnancy, it is also important to JUST EAT. If you are not able to stomach much outside of dry cereal and buttered toast then don’t beat yourself up to hard. It will pass and soon you will be craving those mixed salads and big bowls of fruit again soon. Don’t forget you have all those cravings to look forward to as well. In the meantime keep up with your pre-natal vitamins and, as always, talk to your doctor about your health and nutrition during pregnancy.
Good luck, mamas!
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Ellice Vargas
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