Eat Well During Pregnancy - Even If You're Busy

Good pregnancy nutrition keeps you and your baby healthy and happy during pregnancy. Eating well keeps your weight stable and helps your baby grow, while also dramatically reducing your chances of complications and preterm labor.

As a smart mom-to-be, you know all of that. Your problem isn't learning about good pregnancy diet -- it's finding the time to eat the nutritious foods you and baby need! This article covers practical ways to fit a healthy pregnancy diet into your busy lifestyle.

Think Small

It's true that good prenatal nutrition looks like a lot of food to most pregnant moms -- you want to get around 80 grams of protein from meats, milk, eggs, and plant sources, along with plenty of veggies for vitamins and minerals. Add in everything else you want, from oatmeal to smoothies, and that's a lot of food!

Small portions multiple times a day keep you and baby healthy and getting all the food groups you need. Don't think about three big meals. Plan to get in three normal-sized meals and three snacks. 
You can have a morning snack, an afternoon snack, and a snack just before bedtime. You'll get what you need in a manageable way.

Think Simple

You may love to cook, but even the best of us find cooking takes time! Save the gourmet meals for evenings and weekends. Plan simple breakfasts and lunches during the weekday. This makes it easy for you to eat on the go.

Simple snacks keep things easy, and if you don't have to prepare a snack you're much more likely to actually eat one! Here are some suggestions:

String cheese
Greek yogurt (choose full fat so your baby's brain gets vital, healthy fats)
Trail mix or mixed nuts
Beef jerky
Hard-boiled eggs
Apple and cheese slices
Peanut butter and crackers
Go Easy
Easy meals are better. Use your slow-cooker liberally, especially if you're having trouble with morning sickness. You can dump everything into it in the morning and it will be done by evening. If you're really sensitive to cooking smells, put the slow-cooker in the garage!

Another option is batch-cooking on the weekend. Plan a couple of entrees and double or triple them. Then you have portions to eat throughout the week. You can portion one out for easy healthy, homemade lunches at the office.

Portable Eats

Plan for the times you'll be away from home. Pick a snack, like nuts or a healthy protein bar, that you can carry in your purse. If you'll be away for a long time you may want to consider carrying a small cooler. You can load the cooler with cheeses, yogurt, sandwiches, etc. Then healthy food is easy to grab and munch throughout the day.

Good nutrition during pregnancy takes a little planning, but it doesn't have to be hard. Keep healthy choices simple, portable, and available to make sure both you and your baby thrive throughout your pregnancy.