Maintaining Good Health Even When You're Busy

Diet Mistakes During Pregnancy That Could Aggravate Morning Sickness

by Caitlin Obara

For many women, morning sickness is the most unpleasant aspect of pregnancy. It's frustrating to experience nausea that diminishes appetite at a time when you most need to be supplied with abundant sources of nutrients.

If you've been struggling with morning sickness, it could be because of your diet. The following are five diet mistakes to avoid that could be contributing to your morning sickness discomfort. 

Feasting rather than grazing

Eating only a small amount at a time will minimize the chances that you will develop the nausea that goes along with morning sickness. Break up your normal schedule of meals into small snacks that you have throughout the day to minimize the stress eating puts on your stomach. 

You should be especially careful to avoid eating too much food at one time in the morning and in the evening. 

Eating fatty or spicy foods

Fatty foods that contain lots of oil or grease are hard on your stomach. Also, spicy or hot foods sometimes increase the acidity of the contents of your stomach and thereby raise the chances that you will experience an upset stomach or acid reflux. 

Even if you love spicy foods, you should simplify meals during your pregnancy so that they don't contain spices and flavorings that could irritate your sensitive stomach. 

Not getting enough protein and magnesium

Both protein and magnesium have been identified as nutrients that are important to neutralizing the stomach and preventing morning sickness during pregnancy.

Ask your doctor about the potential benefits of taking a magnesium supplement if you have been experiencing frequent morning sickness, and it is leaving you feeling sleep and nutrient deprived. 

Choosing recipes without putting thought into nausea prevention

Certain foods are known to settle the stomach. Look out for recipes that contain simple wholesome foods that are free from the oils and spiciness that tend to upset a sensitive stomach.

In particular, prepare recipes that contain ginger. Ginger has long been known to have stomach soothing properties. That's why ginger ale is often recommended to those who are experiencing an upset stomach.

Try a cup of ginger tea in the evening and in the morning and see if it helps reduce the severity of your morning sickness. 

Neglecting to track your bouts of morning sickness

While there are some general tendencies among women regarding morning sickness, every woman is unique.

The best way to prevent morning sickness is to keep careful track of what you are eating and when you are experiencing it. This way, you can avoid both foods and habits that seem to trigger your bouts of morning sickness. 

For more information, contact North Florida Women's Care or a similar location.

Share