When it comes to
eating when pregnant, the two most profound changes you can make to your diet are to switch to organic and whole foods. Many expectant mothers aren't sure what these terms mean, or think that perhaps they can be used interchangeably.
But they are actually two separate things that can have a positive impact on your health and your baby's as well. Whole foods are foods that are left in their closest to unprocessed state. For example, an apple is a whole food. Applesauces, or apple fruit snacks, are processed foods.
Organic foods are those that have been grown without the use of pesticides, hormones, and other troubling chemicals. Why are whole and organic foods so important to your pregnancy diet? We discuss the benefits of these types of foods in this article.
What are the benefits of whole foods?
Whole foods are either totally unprocessed, or only very minimally so. This is good because the more processed a food becomes, the more likely the food contains sugar, additives, fillers, and chemicals. Processed foods are also generally lower in fiber, lower in nutritional value, and higher in calories than their unprocessed counterparts.
That's why whole foods are so good for youthey can provide you with high nutrition and fiber while keeping your calories, fillers, and additives low. Foods that are high in calories, additives, and fillers can contribute to excessive weight gain during pregnancy, which can make your delivery more difficult. Gaining too much weight can also mean that going back to your pre-pregnancy weight will take longer.
What are the benefits of organic foods?
Organic foods are free of the troubling chemicals and pesticides that non-organic foods contain. Since most of what you consume passes across the placenta to your unborn child, it's crucial to keep your consumption of these chemicals and pesticides to a minimum.
Studies have shown that some of these additives can have a profoundly negative effect on your baby as well as on your own body during pregnancy. Organic foods also usually have a much higher nutritive value than their non-organic counterparts. Getting the most nutritive bang for your buck is the best way you can get the most out of your diet for pregnancy.
What are the most important changes you can make?
It's important to remember not to stress out about changing your pregnancy diet too quickly. It's completely understandable to want to change everything at once. But this can cause additional stress that you really shouldn't put yourself under during pregnancy.
Incorporate change slowly and look at these transformations as part of an overall lifestyle shift to a healthier way of life. Look at the long term benefits of making these changes, and know that every step you make toward good health is a step in the right directionfor both you and your baby.
Changing your diet for pregnancy slowly
So if you can't change everything at once, what should you focus on? Start by changing to organic meat and dairy products. In fact, switch to grass-fed meat while you are at it. Meats and dairy products contain the highest amount of hormonal additives, so making this change can have a profound impact on both you and your baby's health.
For produce, try switching out what's known as the "dirty dozen," the fruits and vegetables that contain the highest concentrations of pesticides. Aim for the more unprocessed version of your foods as well.
For example, instead of having a turkey sandwich made with deli meat, try a fillet of organic, free-range chicken for your lunch. These changes may seem subtle, but they will have a positive and long-reaching effect on your lifeand on your baby's too!
