Eating Clean During Pregnancy

Everyone asked me how I was able to keep eating clean during pregnancy.

Honestly, this wasn’t a big transition for me because I ate clean prior to pregnancy. I believe that everyone should be eating clean but it’s extra important for pregnant ladies to eat healthy. We need to be doing everything we can for that little baby growing inside of us. Eating clean during pregnancy will also help your newborn baby’s immunity!

I did have quite a bit of morning sickness (more like all day sickness!) during the first trimester.

I craved a lot of carbs, desserts and unhealthy foods. I was determined to continue to eat healthy even when I craved junk food. Instead of white carbs, I ate ezekiel bread, tortillas and English muffins. To satisfy my dessert craving, I came up with some healthier dessert options. I had homemade banana ice cream (just blend up a banana with some almond milk and freeze!) with strawberries or a few pieces of dark chocolate chips.

Unfortunately, the sight and smell of vegetables made my nausea worse. The only truly good thing I was able to keep eating during my first trimester was spinach leaves. Thankfully, my morning sickness went away after the first trimester. After the nausea was gone, I didn’t struggle as much with unhealthy either. Eating clean during pregnancy is possible, and so good for your kiddos too!

I highly recommend women start eating clean prior to pregnancy because it does take some time to get used to the change. It is not something that happens overnight. You will slowly have to change your diet everyday. You can’t just go cold turkey and cut everything out because you will feel deprived. When you feel deprived, you binge later on unhealthy foods. 

Don’t let people tell you that “you are eating for two.”

Of course, you should never starve or deprive yourself of eating when you are hungry during pregnancy. All doctors will tell you that you only need a few hundred extra calories per trimester. If you are extremely hungry, the key is to eat healthy food, not junk food. There were many times late at night during pregnancy when I was very hungry. At that time I ate chicken, vegetables and a spoonful of hummus.

With a lot of dedication and self control with food and exercise, I only gained 23 pounds during pregnancy. I lost all of that weight and wore my pre-pregnancy clothes within 2 ½ weeks of having my baby.

It is possible to stay healthy during pregnancy and bounce back very quickly after giving birth! Stay focused with eating and exercise and think about the healthy choices you are making on behalf of your baby! 

I need all of the energy I can get right now so I can keep up with my one year old baby girl. I want to encourage and lead by example for my family, friends and everyone else around me.

About Upala Kumar

Upala is happily married and a mom to a beautiful and energetic little girl. She works as an online fitness and nutrition coach who loves motivating people to reach their goals. Her biggest joy is seeing people’s excitement when they accomplish their fitness goals!

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