The main reason why stretch marks occur is pregnancy. When you become pregnant you go during so many hormonal changes which also produce weight gain. You are probably feeling wonderful, sexy, and alive as this beautiful human being is growing inside you but at the same time you dread the thought of waking up to those ugly scars all over your body – your breasts, your stomach, you’ll size.
Food for Pregnant Women
Home Made Trail Mix
Mix raw walnuts, almonds and cashews with small amounts of organic dried berries that have not been sweetened. Stash it in a zip top bag and keep supply in your purse, car or desk at work.
Not only does this provide a quick snack, the nuts are full of heart healthy fats, and berries are naturally sweet and loaded with antioxidants and fiber.
Sprouted Grain Tortillas
Scramble a couple of eggs, add some veggies and roll it all in a sprouted grain tortilla and you have a fabulous, tasty and quick lunch. Spread some raw almond butter on a tortilla and roll it up for an easy, protein-rich snack.
Roll up a wrap with leftover chicken from last night’s dinner with some raw spinach leaves and a bit of tahini and you have a nutritious meal that can go anywhere. Sprouted grain tortillas offer an endless list of meal ideas.
Organic Eggs
Is there anything eggs can’t do? They are great food for pregnant women, as long as they are organic. Keep a few hard boiled eggs in the fridge for quick snacks, a protein boost on a salad, or to slice onto a tortilla.
Organic eggs are rich in choline which promotes baby’s brain development and omega-3 fats that also help with brain and vision development. They are cheap and easy and offer top notch protein to help all those little cells to grow.
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Premixed Salad Greens
If you are willing to do a bit more work, get a bunch of different dark greens, wash them, and bag them together. Spinach, kale, chard and other greens contain high levels of A, C and K vitamins.
Exercise
Walking
This is the safest and cheapest form of working on your fitness during pregnancy. It is a great form of cardiovascular exercise and can be done at any time of the day. Another great thing about walking is that it will not jar your joints. All you need is somewhere pleasant and safe to walk. Alternatively, you can use a treadmill as part of your pregnancy exercise program.
Yoga
Yoga is another safe way to stay fit and keep the pounds off. The great thing with yoga is that, like walking, it will not impact on your joints. It also has the added benefit of improving your mental outlook…something that can only help you have a great pregnancy! You can even do this at home with a yoga DVD and use yoga to stay healthy in mind and body.