Parenting

Friday, December 4, 2009

10 Foods to Curb Pregnancy Cravings

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Move over pickles and ice cream, the pregnancy craving cops are onto you. The foods women crave may evolve as they make their way through their expectant days, but at the heart of it all are nutrients that the mama-to-be and her baby need as they continue on their journey. Keeping a fridge well-stocked with foods that fulfill these cravings will help eliminate the need for late night grocery runs and odd mixtures on mommy's plate.
  • Cold Water - Keeping a pitcher of cold water in the fridge gives a mama-to-be easy access to what she needs to stay hydrated and prevents her from reaching for other fluids that won't do the job quite as well.  
  • Whole Grain Breads - Skip the refined white flours and head straight for whole grain breads that provide the fiber, iron and protein in the carbohydrates a mama craves.  
  • Bananas - Potassium-rich bananas may help prevent leg cramps and charlie horses while providing quick energy for the mom-to-be who is on-the-go.  
  • Peanut Butter - There's a reason expectant women are known to crave peanut butter throughout their pregnancies. The protein-rich power food helps promote cell growth and blood production. So go ahead and start dipping apples, celery and even pickles into the jar knowing that you are promoting good health while doing so.  
  • Berries - Fresh berries can help curb a craving for something sweet, while providing the body with extra fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants that are beneficial to both mom and baby.  
  • Lemons - Ward off morning (or all-day) sickness with a supply of lemons in the fridge. For some women, a simple sniff is all they need, while others need a slice in their water or a full-on bite into the fruit. 
  • Salsa - Lycopene-rich tomatoes and spicy jalapenos make salsa a great, healthy snack for the mom-to-be while helping to satisfy her salt, spice and crunch cravings.
  • Low-Fat Milk - Both mom and baby need as much calcium as possible over the course of their nine months, so keeping a fresh supply of cold, low-fat milk will help them reach their daily goals.  
  • Hard Cheeses - While they may not make the perfect substitute for the soft cheeses a mama-to-be craves, hard cheeses will help her try to satisfy her cheese desires while fulfilling her need for sodium and calcium. 
  • Yogurt - Higher in calcium than milk, pasteurized yogurt can curb an ice cream craving while providing mom with live active cultures needed to reduce the incidence of yeast infections. 
More Pregnancy Tips and Advice

Related Content:
Does Chocolate Ward Off Pregnancy Complications?
Five Unusual Ways to Show Off Your Ultrasound

Five Ways to Stay in Pre-Pregnacny Clothing
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