21/04/2022
Lily Nichols has a wealth of knowledge on how to navigate pregnancy naturally, using food to nourish and heal both Mum and Baby. If you’re pregnant or trying, definitely read her books Real Food for Pregnancy or Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Such important information.
Skipping breakfast (nearly 25% of Americans do!) can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. It can also disrupt circadian rhythms.
A 2021 study looked at breakfast eating in pregnancy & the incidence of gestational diabetes (GD). They found that skipping breakfast 4 or more days per week before and during early pregnancy was associated w/ an increased risk of GD.
Not only can skipping breakfast affect your blood sugar regulation, but it may also impact your nutrient intake. In another study, pregnant women in the 2nd tri who skipped breakfast 2 or more times/wk had significantly lower intakes of protein and lower levels of EPA & DHA (crucial omega-3 fatty acids for baby’s brain development) and β-carotene (an antioxidant) compared to non-skippers.
While food may be the last thing on your mind if you’re in the thick of the first trimester and experiencing nausea or other symptoms, even a small snack is better than nothing (and may actually reduce your symptoms!).
Whether food in the morning is unappealing to you right now or you’re just a habitual breakfast skipper, try eating a meal or small snack within 30 min of waking (it doesn’t have to be breakfast foods!) and see how you feel. Keeping a snack at your bedside and moving slowly first thing in the morning may also help with nausea.
For more tips on managing nausea in the first trimester and/or to get breakfast ideas, see ch 5 & 7 of . Also check out my article for linked in comments below (along with sources).
I know there may be some intermittent fasters who disagree with this post. For my thoughts on IF and pregnancy specifically, I link to my article on that topic as well. (Or search my site for "fasting" )
