5 Must-Do Pregnancy Food Tips to Increase

Five food tips from Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar for women trying to conceive

It is not so easy to conceive a baby. Even more so in the postmodern world full of stress and other health and fertility problems. To optimize women’s fertility, taking better care of one’s body is the foremost step. And, in order to do so, it is quite important to improve insulin sensitivity.

Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar shares 5 food tips that will manage insulin sensitivity and hence, will increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

1. No Packaged Products

Reduce intake of packaged products, which includes not only obvious junk food but also camouflaged junk, which pretends to be healthy. E.g., cereals, juices, biscuits, low-fat versions of yogurt, cheese, or even ice cream. Thumb rule – if the product is being sold based on a single nutrient i.e., gluten-free, sugar-free, low-fat, high-protein, etc., then one needs to stay away.

2. Say Yes to Pickle or Chutney

Introduce a pickle or chutney in one of your main meals daily. Sadly, we were not being taught to see these side dishes as sources of Vitamin B12. It is exactly these essential-fat packed side dishes that help us assimilate and even make our own Vitamin B12. Add one tsp of homemade pickle to breakfast or lunch, and two-three teaspoons of homemade chutney to lunch or dinner.

3. Have Homemade Curd

Rather than buying a curd packet from the market, learn to set it at home. From the diverse strains of gut-friendly bacteria to the essential amino acids and vitamin B, the curd is a magical food that you can’t afford to miss. The probiotic yogurt in the market is no match for home-set curd. It is also a good antidote to breakouts and sweet cravings during PMS. And, more importantly, it will help keep acidity under control once pregnant.

4. Eat Seasonally

Eat according to the season. In today’s era, we get every food item year-round. But, we shouldn’t forget that because these food items are frozen in some large cold storage, hence, it’s available year-round. So, it’s better to buy food items available in a small market. Not only do they taste better, but also will also improve your chances of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Improved diet diversity is good news for the intestinal mucosa, probiotic bacteria, and insulin sensitivity.

5. Don’t Overeat

Know when to stop eating. Rujuta suggests following the Mental Meal Map to control the eating pattern. First, visualize how much you want to eat and then start with half the amount. The trick is to then eat slower than your usual speed. It means smaller morsels of food enter the stomach, thus improving the micronutrient assimilation and insulin response. This process can be repeated if required, but the key is to be without gadgets during mealtimes so that you are tuned in to your stomach signals.

Additionally, Rujuta Divekar shared not to forget three to five tsp of ghee per day.

-Staff Reporter