Growing a baby in your womb can be a roller coaster. One minute, you’re just cruising along, living your life, and the next thing you know, a tiny little human is taking up residence in your uterus. It’s magical, mind-blowing, and truly miraculous! But along with all the morning sickness, kicks, and “is that a foot or an elbow?” moments, food and nutrition during pregnancy are on almost everyone’s mind. One week, you can’t get enough pickles and ice cream. Then, the mere thought of that combo makes your stomach do somersaults! What you’re putting into your mouth during this time isn’t just fu ..read more

Increased hunger levels at times throughout pregnancy are no joke! Growing another human can leave you ravenous enough to level a mountain of snacks! Choosing snacks higher in protein can help keep you full longer and support balanced blood sugar levels. Having nutrient-packed snacks prepped and on hand throughout the day is a lifesaver, especially in those early weeks when you’re battling nausea, morning sickness, fatigue, and food aversions. A few bites here and there can help curb nausea and boost your intake of essential micro and macronutrients.  Speaking of essential macronutrients ..read more

Listen up, beautiful moms-to-be! Today, we’re taking a detour to the land of Mexican cuisine. This cuisine has likely caught your eye (and your taste buds’ attention) and is home to the delicious cotija cheese. This white, crumbly cheese is made from cow’s milk and packs a seriously addictive, milky, salty flavor that’ll have you saying, “More, please.” Cotija comes in two forms for your snacking pleasure. There’s the fresh cotija cheese with a pillowy soft texture and mild tang and the aged Cotija Añejo, whose firm bite and sharp kick will wake up your taste buds in the best way. But I know ..read more

We all know that eating a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet during pregnancy is crucial for both you and your growing little one. But with so many different myths and outdated information out there, it can get pretty confusing to figure out what’s safe to eat and what should be left untouched. One area that seems to spark many questions is seafood. The ocean has SO MANY options, from salmon to shrimp to tuna. And while some seafood choices are an obvious yes (hello, low-mercury omega-3-packed fatty fish!), others leave you second-guessing yourself. Which brings me to our focus for today ..read more

As you embark on this incredible journey toward welcoming your baby into the world, you’re probably encountering many pregnancy “do’s and don’ts,” am I right? It can feel like an endless list of rules to keep track of. There are the obvious ones, like steering clear of alcohol and cigarettes, but then there are those “head-scratchers” when it comes to certain foods. You may have been given a generic handout discussing unpasteurized cheeses and deli meat. But who would’ve thought that something as innocuous as a lemon poppyseed muffin or an everything bagel could potentially raise some eyebrow ..read more

For those who may not be familiar, the glucose test is one of the routine tests expecting moms undergo between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes. The glucose screening test involves consuming an oral glucose beverage and taking a blood sample to measure blood sugar levels to check whether or not they exceed the standard range of less than 140 milligrams per deciliter (140 mg/dl). Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, causing high blood sugar levels. It’s estimated that anywhere from 2% to up to 10% of women in the Uni ..read more

When you’re pregnant, nothing is more important than keeping yourself and your little one safe and healthy. One of the biggest nutritional keys is staying properly hydrated. I know, I know, drinking water sounds so basic; it’s something I’m sure you hear all the time. However, getting enough H2O is crucial for your baby’s development. I’m talking about huge benefits like proper growth of the placenta, maintaining healthy blood flow to give your baby nutrients and oxygen, and even reducing the risk of complications like preterm labor. Not to mention, it plays a role in cushioning your lit ..read more

Growing a little human in your belly is exhilarating, but it also often raises a lot of questions, especially when it comes to nutrition. You want to give your body and your growing child everything needed to thrive, which means being very mindful of what you’re eating. After all, the foods you eat can directly impact the baby’s development.  Unfortunately, sifting through the list of “pregnancy-approved foods” can be a total headache. Every food seems to come with a big, blinking “PROCEED WITH CAUTION” sign. Can I eat this? What about that? By the time you weed through all the “no’s” on ..read more

Giving birth is no joke! It can take hours or even days of hard work. In fact, giving birth has been compared to running a marathon. So it’s super important to fuel like it and keep your energy and hydration up while you’re in labor. The right snacks can give you the fuel, fluids, and nutrients you need to keep on pushing–pun intended! Do yourself a favor and pack some tasty, satisfying snacks in your hospital bag. You probably won’t want a three-course meal between contractions, but a light and fueling snack can be super helpful. A recent study, among many others, has underscored the benefit ..read more

Protein is a crucial part of a balanced diet for overall health, especially when it comes to pregnancy. This nutrient helps to support maternal well-being and fetal growth and development. It has many functions that support a healthy pregnancy. Protein provides the literal building blocks of your baby’s tissues, organs, and muscles! This is arguably the most critical macronutrient we need to consume during pregnancy.  Everyone has unique needs, but most people are under-consuming protein during pregnancy, and their needs increase as they progress through pregnancy. Examples of foods that ..read more