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A healthy diet is always of prime importance, but it’s especially important during pregnancy.
You:As in the early days of your pregnancy, indigestion can be a problem so eat small meals throughout the day.
Eating for two… the healthy way!
Tip:Use a cheap moisturiser on your breasts to keep the surface moist and your breasts as firm as possible.
Week 18
Baby: Baby's nervous system is now functioning and the developing brain is sending messages to control its body functions.
Pregnancy is an important time for both you and your baby…and it certainly isn’t a time for fad diets or unhealthy eating. While it isn’t the time to start restricting calories or fat either, nor is it the time to go overboard! Instead, pregnancy is the time for a
healthy balance of the right vitamins and minerals, as well as eating the right carbohydrates, protein and fat, which are not only needed for your baby’s growth, but for your well-being too. It’s all a question of knowing where to
Week 19
find the necessary nutrients in your diet and incorporating them into easy and delicious meals. Here’s the MM guide to a healthy,
balanced day’s meals… Breakfasts
Baby:Te fetus still has plenty of room to move around in the amniotic sac but it's a tighter fit by now, so you'll be more conscious of the movement.
Nuts about granola!
If your morning sickness hasn’t got the better of you and you can still face a proper breakfast, then granola is a great choice for first thing in the morning. Designed to give you maximum energy, this granola is full of dietary fibre thanks to the protein packed peanuts and omega-3 rich pumpkin seeds. Make it in bulk quantities and then you’ll have a breakfast or snack option readily available for a few days.
Week 20
(Makes 16 servings) 240g porridge (rolled) oats 65g pumpkin seeds
You: 'Pregnancy brain' may have kicked in by now. You'll lose things easily and you'll forget you were saying that...???
Tip: If you feel the need to, read 'recommended' pregnancy books (or Modern Mum!) but try and ignore the mountains of conflicting advice that you'll be given by everyone who knows you...
Tip:Don't stress out if you're comparing your weight gain against someone else who's pregnant. Ranges can vary from 12kg (26lbs) to 30kg (66lbs) for a one-baby pregnancy, even in women who are very slim, so don't panic!
Week 21
Baby:Although the fetal eyelids are still fused closed, baby can hear sounds from within and outside of your body.
55g flaked almonds 50g soft dark brown sugar 3 tbsps runny honey 4 tbsps vegetable oil 1 1/2 tsps ground cardamom 1/2 tsp sea salt 80g raisins
You:Around this time you should have a second scan, which should be both reassuring and amazing!
Preheat oven to 120˚C/250˚C/Gas Mark ½ Mix oats, pumpkins seeds, flaked almonds and brown sugar in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, meanwhile,
You:Heartburn or 'water brash' can now be a major problem for you. Try not to eat right before you go to bed and sleep with your upper body slightly elevated.
Tip: Bear in mind that your pregnancy wardrobe is a TEMPORARY wardrobe, so don't spend a fortune on it.
combine the honey, oil, cardamom and salt. Then mix both bowls together and spread the mixture evenly on a large baking tray. Bake for 1 ¼ hours, stirring every fifteen minutes. Remove from the oven, leave to cool and transfer to a large blow. Add the raisins and mix. To increase your quota of ‘healthy’ ingredients, add some chopped strawberries, grapes, bananas or blueberries.
Week 22
Baby: Te inner ear has reached adult size and there are now eyebrows and head hair.
Lunches
You: It's at this time that you'll be putting on most of your pregnancy weight. Only a small proportion is your baby: the rest is blood, amniotic fluid, larger bosoms and necessary fat stores.
Baby: An oily material called vernix caseosa now protects baby's skin from scrapes when it bangs into the wall of the uterus.
Try and ensure that your lunchtime meal gets you two or three servings of veg and some protein, and make sure one of those is a leafy green. That’s because leafy greens are vitally important during pregnancy because of their high folic acid content, which is essential in helping your baby to form properly. Home-made vegetable soups are perfect for lunchtimes as you can bulk make them and always have one handy. Equally, what could be simpler than making a salad of
Week 23
Baby: Baby is now about 20cm in length and its legs will be in proportion to its body.
Tip: If you're finding work stressful, try yoga or meditation classes and learn some good relaxation techniques.
Tip:Keep a stash of healthy snacks at work. Tese can help keep your blood sugar up and nausea at bay during the first trimester, and for general nutrition during the rest of your pregnancy.
You:Don't know whether to laugh or cry? Welcome to mood swings! Your abdomen may also be starting to itch a bit.
You: Braxton Hicks - tightenings in the lower abdomen - can begin to appear around this time. Tey're annoying but they're the beginning of the soſtening of the cervix.
Tip: Book an antenatal class as early as possible to get a timeslot that suits you. You will usually have a selection to choose from: hospital, midwife, health centre or National Childbirth Trust (NCT).
Week 24
Chinese leaves, sliced red pepper, tomato and cucumber and then adding your favourite form of protein? Chicken, tinned fish, or omelette - any of these would make a winning lunch. Or why not try this cracking salad?
Baby: If anyone presses their ear to your tummy this week, they'll hear baby's heartbeat!
You:Constipation may be a problem around this time, so increase your fibre intake and try to take short, regular walks.
Watermelon, rocket, feta cheese and mint salad
Week 25
Combine half a small red onion (thinly sliced), two tablespoons fresh lime juice, one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, and six olives (stoned and chopped) in a serving blow. Mix until onion well coated and all ingredients combined. Cover and leave to stand for fifteen minutes. Add 225g deseeded watermelon flesh (cut into triangles), 30g rocket leaves, three tbsps. Chopped mint and 50g crumbled feta cheese (pasteurised). Toss all of the ingredients, ensuring that the rocket is coated.
You: Your hair will probably be at its most luxurious now due to the higher level of estrogen.
Baked salmon and vegetables
Week 26
How easy is this meal to make? Just place a salmon fillet/chicken fillet or lamb chop in a foil ‘envelope’, top with sliced tomatoes and onions, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Bake in the oven or grill until fish is tender and flaky, and serve with a side of steamed or raw veg. Easy peasy… and perfect for your pregnancy diet!
Tip: If your heartburn is causing you grief, avoid spicy, highly seasoned, fried or fatty foods, carbonated drinks or coffee.
Tip: Start collecting for your baby's clothing and nursery. Tink about the time of year they will be born and buy accordingly.
Pregnancy recipes MM
Baby: Baby will have definitely developed its own sleeping patterns by now. It may also be startled by loud music and start kicking.
Baby: Baby's eyelids will now open to reveal blue irises - they don't develop their final eye colour until aſter birth - and they'll be able to distinguish between light and dark.
Modernmum 41
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