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Nutrition before Pregnancy - Ayurvedic diet advice for modern mums-to-be

Diet plays a significant role before and during pregnancy. Ahararasa or nutrition provided by food plays three vital roles. First, it nourishes the mum-to-be, second it acts as preventive medicine and prepares the body to fight against diseases, and thirdly, it increases strength, vitality, Agni and Ojas.

Eating for two

Like many special things in our life, having a baby means a lot of excitement and getting ready for a lot of changes to come.  When you are pregnant, your baby will depend on you for nutrition so it is very important to plan a diet that not only gives you the necessary sustenance during pregnancy but also meets the needs of the developing life inside you. And the proper preparations begin way ahead of your pregnancy. Here are 3 Ayurvedic diet advice for modern mums-to-be.

More Sattvic Foods, Less of Rajasic & Tamasic Food Items

Foods are of three types: Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic and Ayurveda suggests that pregnant women or women planning for pregnancy should include more of Sattvic food items in her diet. This advice is applicable for males too, especially during the pre-pregnancy stage. Sattvic foods are easy to digest and nourishes 7 dhatus and contributes to formation of Ojas. The couple should include more of sweet tasting foods, milk, ghee, fresh organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts, honey and molasses. Moderate amounts of Sattvic spices such as cinnamon, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, turmeric and basil should also be used.

Tamasic foods such as alcohol, tobacco, fermented substances, stale or left-over foods are considered unhealthiest of all foods and is prohibited.

Keep Vata dosha in Balance

Vata dosha governs the nervous system. Ayurveda recommends couples who wish to beget a healthy baby to keep their mind in a state of calm and contentment. Psychosomatic health is an important facet to attaining healthy pregnancy and for that the nervous system should be in good health and aggravated Vata dosha has an adverse effect on it.  Vata is cool, dry, rough and light in nature, hence to keep it in balance eat a diet that is warm, moist, oily and smooth in nature. Avoid carbonated drinks, popcorn, crackers, white potatoes, beans, dried fruits, canned foods, ready-made meals, caffeine, alcohol, all bitter vegetables,

A fresh diet cooked in healthy oils containing sprouted grains, non-processed food is advised. 

Fertility enhancing foods

Certain food items have the ability to enhance fertility. Here is a list of commonly suggested fertility boosting food items:

• Fresh, organic fruits and leafy green as well as yellow-orange vegetables
• Whole grains
• Dairy proteins, including milk, lassi (buttermilk), and paneer
• Mung daal (split green beans)
• Soaked almonds or soaked walnuts
• Sweet, juicy fruits such as mangoes, peaches, plums, and pears
• Spices such as ajwain (bishop's weed) powder, cumin (which purifies the uterus in women and the genitourinary tract in men), turmeric (to improve the interaction between hormones and targeted tissues), and black cumin.
• If your digestion is strong, eat urad daal (Split Black Gram) that is lightly spiced with turmeric, cumin, coriander and fennel
• A banana cooked in ghee, cinnamon, and cardamom is a tasty and wholesome dessert for people with strong digestion

Jiva AyurBaby advises you on the right diet and many more pregnancy related topics. Talk to your Health Coach at 0129-4040404 today to know more.