28 Feb Can a dietitian help with pregnancy?

Pregnancy is exciting and intimidating and … confusing. Women are bombarded with information — “expert advice” from social media, magazines, family members, friends, and that well-meaning stranger standing behind you at the grocery store.

Don’t eat cheese!
Stay away from salmon!
Pineapple is dangerous!
If you have morning sickness, it’s definitely a girl.

A dietitian can play a crucial role in supporting a healthy pregnancy We provide moms (and dads)-to be personalized nutrition guidance. Your body’s needs will change trimester-to-trimester and postpartum, and we will be here every step of the way

Here are five ways a dietitian can help you experience a healthy pregnancy, reduce risks during pregnancy and labor, and support your healing postpartum:

Nutrient Optimization:

We evaluate your current diet and eating behaviors to ensure you’re getting essential nutrients crucial for fetal development. We provide individualized diet plans, can help you develop meal plans, and provide supplement support to ensure you’re getting key nutrients such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Weight Management:

We will help ensure you meet your weight gain goals during pregnancy based on individual factors. This is not the time to diet!  We can provide you with the guidance you need to maintain a healthy weight (even during those morning sickness times), which is essential for both the mother’s and baby’s well-being.

Managing Pregnancy Symptoms:

Nausea, heartburn, and constipation, oh my! We can help you address these common pregnancy symptoms and reduce discomfort through dietary adjustments. Sometimes you’ll need extra support to get adequate nutrition because. It’s our job to help ensure adequate nutrition despite potential challenges.

Gestational Diabetes Management:

Gestational diabetes can be intimidating, and it is incredibly common. It can almost always be managed through diet and exercise. We will tailor a meal plan to help you manage your blood sugar levels, educate you on how to read food labels, help you understand how to work your glucometer, and offer guidance on carbohydrate intake, portions, and meal timing, all to optimize glucose control.

Address Special Dietary Needs:

Whether you’re a vegetarian or vegan, struggle with food intolerances, allergies, and insensitivities, we can work to ensure you get a nutritionally sound pregnancy diet. Moderation and modification is the key to ensure you get the nutrients you and your developing baby need to reduce risks during pregnancy and childbirth.

Myths and misinformation abound when it comes to pregnancy. Make an appointment with a prenatal dietitian and feel empowered to make the best choices for your and your growing baby’s health.

Try this delicious, high-protein, high-fiber snack.

Banana and Peanut Butter Protein Bites

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or any nut or seed butter of your choice)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
• 1/4 cup dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates)
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth.
3. Add the oats, chopped nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips (if using), cinnamon, and salt to the banana mixture. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, scoop out portions of the mixture and roll them into balls using your hands. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
5. Once all the mixture has been rolled into balls, gently flatten each ball with the back of a fork or your fingers to form a cookie shape.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the protein bites to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Once cooled, store the protein bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.

These banana and peanut butter protein bites are packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making them an ideal snack option for pregnant women. Enjoy!