Fuel Up For A Healthy Pregnancy

In Oxygen’s October issue, my article “Get Your Body Back” erroneously stated that when I was pregnant I was “eating for two” when, in fact, I believe you need to watch what you eat and not indulge too often.

Here’s my advice for eating well during your pregnancy:

1. Continue to eat clean just as you did before, but be sure to increase your calories by about 300. It takes a lot of energy to create a baby.
2. Choose omega-3 eggs and fish (some safe choices are salmon, trout and anchovies) because they are high in DHA, which is important for healthy brain development for your growing baby. For vegans, seaweed is also high in DHA.
3. Eat lots of iron-rich vegetables, meats and fish. Women can often be deficient in iron, and it’s not only important for your baby’s brain but is a key component of hemoglobin as well. It helps red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.
4. Some foods to avoid include alcohol, caffeine, unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert, raw seafood, fish high in mercury like shark, swordfish and king mackerel, and artificial sweeteners since the evidence isn’t conclusive whether or not it affects a growing baby.
5. Finally, drink lots of water. It will help you avoid constipation and hemorrhoids as well as support elasticity of the skin. The recommendation is to drink at least 64 ounces or eight glasses of water a day.

Read all about Jamie’s path to post-baby workout success (and her get-back-in-shape 15-minute circuit) in Oxygen’s October issue on newsstands September 16! 

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