Many women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, which can be frustrating and debilitating. While there’s no surefire cure for morning sickness, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms. One way is by adjusting your diet.
Here, we’ll discuss how your diet can help you cope with morning sickness.
1. Eat small, frequent meals
Having an empty stomach can make morning sickness worse. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day can help keep your blood sugar levels steady and reduce nausea. Aim to eat every two to three hours.
Good snack options include crackers, dry cereal, pretzels, and plain popcorn.
2. Avoid triggers
Certain smells or foods can trigger morning sickness. Common triggers include strong smells, greasy or spicy foods, and foods with strong flavors. Pay attention to what triggers your symptoms and avoid those foods or smells.
If you can’t avoid a certain smell or food, try eating it when you’re feeling better or have someone else prepare it for you.
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Staying hydrated is important during pregnancy, and it can also help alleviate morning sickness symptoms. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and sip fluids throughout the day instead of gulping them down.
4. Ginger is your friend
Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for nausea. Try drinking ginger tea or snacking on ginger candies or chews. You can also try adding fresh or ground ginger to your meals.
5. Get enough protein
Eating protein can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Good sources of protein include eggs, cheese, yogurt, nuts, and lean meats.
6. Avoid fatty foods
Fatty foods can take a long time to digest and can make morning sickness symptoms worse. Try to avoid fried foods, fatty meats, and greasy foods. Instead, opt for light, nutrient-dense meals.
7. Try acupressure
Acupressure has been shown to help alleviate morning sickness symptoms. To try it, locate the pressure point on your wrist (about three finger widths from the base of your hand, in line with your pinkie finger).
Apply pressure with your thumb or index finger to this spot for a few minutes, repeating as necessary.
8. Snack before bed
Many women find that morning sickness is worse in the morning, but it can actually strike at any time of day. Snacking before bed can help keep your blood sugar levels up overnight, which can reduce nausea in the morning.
Try snacking on a banana or a small bowl of cereal before bed.
9. Get plenty of rest
Getting enough rest is important during pregnancy, and it can also help reduce morning sickness symptoms. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, and take naps throughout the day if you need them.
10. Talk to your doctor
If your morning sickness symptoms are severe or interfering with your daily life, talk to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe medication or suggest other remedies to alleviate your symptoms.
Conclusion
While morning sickness can be tough to deal with, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms. Adjusting your diet can be a simple and effective way to reduce nausea and help you cope with morning sickness.
By eating small, frequent meals, avoiding triggers, staying hydrated, eating protein-rich foods, avoiding fatty foods, trying acupressure, snacking before bed, getting plenty of rest, and talking to your doctor, you can manage your morning sickness and enjoy your pregnancy.