Pregnancy in Summers: Summer friendly foods and Lamaze Education
5 minute read, Written By: Momly
Pregnancy in summer doesn’t sound exciting right? The sudden increase in temperature after mellowed weather lowers your energy levels. During the first trimester, you face early signs of pregnancy like morning sickness, mood swings, headache and fatigue. These added to the summer heat do not go well when expecting a baby. Momly brings summer care edits for pregnant women. A detailed guide to knowing pregnancy-safe foods during summers and the importance of investing in a comprehensive Lamaze class is all you need to safely course through the extremely merciless summers when you are on a bumpy ride.
It is a dire necessity to stay hydrated during summer and maintain a healthy diet when pregnant in summer. Lets learn what foods to eat and avoid when pregnant in summers.
Fruits – Watermelon is a calming fruit. Best when your emotions run high. Pregnancy is the time when your hormones play according to their own whims and fancies. Not only that melons are the best form of hydration. It cools your body, provides plenty of water and is best to lower your stress levels. Binge on melons and see how happy your baby in your womb will be. You can also add in other juicy fruits like berries, peaches and mangoes. These fruits are tasty as well as packed with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
Balanced meal – Increased levels of heat and humidity can lead to exhaustion and frequent fatigue in pregnant women. Balanced nutrition is very important at such a time. Focus on eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains and lean protein.
Whole grains – Brown rice, quinoa, and oats are rich in fibre, protein and other essential vitamins and minerals. These wholesome foods can keep you satisfied and full for longer hours. Not only that, they are the superfoods for your baby and help in their growth and development.
Nuts and seeds – Almonds, walnuts, chia and flax seeds are rich in fats, fibre, and protein. They can be added to your salads or smoothies to give your meal a nutritious boost.
Protein – Milk products, yoghurt and lean protein foods like lentils are a must for pregnant women to stay healthy and hydrated. Protein is the main component of muscles and is referred to as building block in science parlance. It is necessary to help repair your body and protect your body from diseases.
Water – Water is the master of all foods and should be consumed frequently to keep the water levels maintained during pregnancy irrespective of whether it is summer or not.
What foods to avoid when you are pregnant during summer?
Caffeine – Caffeine is said to be one of the foods that pregnant women should avoid. Drinking coffee in moderation is advised by experts. You can have 1 or 2 cups of coffee daily but do not overdo it. Especially, when you are pregnant in summer, it is best to limit your caffeine levels and go high on fruits instead. Caffeine dehydrates your body and leaves your body dry. Also, research says that an increase in caffeine can lead to miscarriage and low birth weight in babies.
Sugary foods and drinks – Again sugary foods can also deplete your water levels and unnecessarily pose a risk of gestational diabetes. It is better to stay away from sugary foods and carbonated drinks to stay healthy and stress-free during pregnancy.
Junk foods - Do not eat junk foods and processed foods as they have no nutritional value. See to it that you don’t go overboard in fulfilling your junk food cravings.
Spicy foods – Experts suggest that you should cut down your spice levels during pregnancy period because they cause heartburn, acidity and other bowel-related symptoms. During summer, it is best to regulate your body temperature and eat those foods which will help you attain that. Also, risk of inflammation plummets high when consuming spicy foods during pregnancy.
Lamaze – A worthwhile investment during pregnancy?
A complete pregnancy care plan or a Lamaze class is a smart investment because it entails a series of sessions designed to offer holistic care for your growing foetus and your prenatal health. It urges you to actively participate in your prenatal exams and regular health checks, as well as to take the necessary steps, such as practising garbhasanskar exercises, to train and develop your baby's creative and cognitive abilities from the moment they are still in the womb. You can learn about wholesome eating habits and movement patterns to promote your health and the development of your developing baby through nutritional sessions and exercise advice. You will gain a thorough understanding of birth customs and birthing education, including preferences for labour and delivery, pain-relieving strategies, and other essential birth practices.