My Top 3 Ayurvedic Tips for Pregnancy

1. Give into your cravings...just be smart about the balance!

Cravings are no joke when you are pregnant. I normally do not eat much meat but in the first trimester, I wanted spaghetti and meatballs and chicken sandwiches! I also craved cold Caesar salads! Ayurveda is not about being super strict, it is about understanding how your unique dosha reacts to different foods and learning what you can do to counteract those negative reactions. I know eating raw salads all the time increases my Vata and slows down my digestive system (I’m primarily Pitta-Kapha).  On top of that, when you become pregnant, progesterone will relax the muscles and slow digestion.  So I would try to balance my cravings with warm nourishing cooked vegetables and would sip warm water throughout the day. I also incorporated more chia seed pudding into my diet, which was a great way to keep your system moving! Chia seed pudding is super easy to make. Just soak a few spoons in your milk of choice and put in the fridge overnight. In the morning, I would add some blueberries and bananas. If you desire a bit of sweetness add some agave or maple syrup. Also great when added to your oatmeal. 

2. Make time for gentle oil massages, your joints will thank you! 

As you put on weight, you may experience joint or muscle pain.  You also may experience leg cramps! First trimester I was just tired all the time so had to decrease the amount of physical activity I did on a daily basis. I could feel stiffness coming into my joints. I normally go to yoga a few times a week to keep my joints from getting creaky however first trimester I was overwhelmed with nausea.  To help with the stiffness, I would do a very gentle oil massage with coconut oil after I got out of the shower.   

3. Grind up your nuts and seeds!

As mentioned, your digestion can definitely slow down while you are pregnant. I ground up my favorite nuts and some dates and kept in the fridge. It is much easier to digest! For me, that meant a blend of walnuts, cashews, pre-soaked almonds, dates, flax, hemp, and pumpkin seeds. I would add a few spoons to my oatmeal, cereal, or smoothies!