I had a conversation the other day about the ways women can stay healthy during pregnancy. This got me thinking about moms-to-be and how difficult it must be to combat those sugary food cravings.
Well, now more than ever, there is really good reason for pregnant women to control their sugar intake.
Did you know that an expectant mother’s diet – and how much sugar she eats while pregnant – might affect her future child’s risk of developing allergies, allergic asthma and lung inflammation?
The higher the sugar intake, the greater the risk. This is pretty serious stuff.
Pregnant women need to be especially conscious of how they’re nourishing themselves. But everyone should limit their sugar intake, so if you’re reading this, it applies to your life. I’m all about giving good solid advice on creating a better life. You won’t get strict diet rules or wacky unrealistic ideas from me.
Good nutrition should never be associated with deprivation. Just a few small, easy lifestyle shifts can make drastic improvements in your life.
Here’s what I prescribe for any Health Hero (but especially moms-to-be):
- Limit free sugars (sugars added to food by the manufacturer or you) in your diet to 6 teaspoons granulated sugar (20 grams) or less daily.
- Have fun with natural sugars. They’re different from free sugars. These are sugars found in whole foods and vegetables, so feel free to enjoy fruits and veggies.
- Pregnant women should reduce exposure to tobacco smoke before and after birth. This decreases the baby’s risk of developing wheezing and asthma.
- Focus on eating nutritious foods from the different food groups.
Also, if you missed it, you can watch this week’s Facebook LIVE Mom’s Sweet Tooth May Be Linked To Child’s Allergies to learn even more about this study and join the conversation.
Make healthy living a part of every day!
Namaste,
Dr. Partha Nandi
