Vivienne Stallwood Maternal Nutrition

The third trimester is about meeting the nutritional needs for both you and baby due to your baby reaching their peak of rapid growth. These final few weeks still call for higher levels of iron and protein, but Omega-3 (DHA) and choline come into play a little more too. These are needed to support the rapid brain development of your baby. Check out the blog link to learn more about other nutrients needed in the third trimester. ... Where are you at in your pregnancy? #mumtobe #healthypregnancy #thirdtrimester

Have you ever wondered if nutrients change throughout your pregnancy? They don't "change" as such, but some nutrients do become a little more in demand as pregnancy advances. This week, we're following on from our last post and looking at the nutrients for the second trimester. If you have any questions please be sure to reach out through DM or comment below ... I'd love to connect with you ... #pregnancynutrition #secondtrimester

Do you have friends who start telling you everything (' ) that they did in their pregnancy? BUT - does this leave you confused You start the hours of researching EVERY nutrient on google? You question yourself - are you doing everything right?... This week, I'm sharing with you the that are important to include in your diet and/or your prenatal supplement. Remember, perfection isn't the aim of the game here. With the nausea and food aversions (usually meat), along with other first trimester challenges (carbs, carbs and more carb cravings) eating the perfect diet isn't going to be easy during these first few weeks. It's all about doing your best, and finding ways that work for your pregnancy to nourish both you and your baby Food should always be your first choice, but, having a quality prenatal supplement should back up your diet to cover any missing nutrients in pregnancy. See them as your safety net! I know I talk a lot about supplements but they really do have an important role to play, and this carries on into the postpartum period too! Check out my blog post on the first trimester nutrients to have on your radar. These are not all of the nutrients needed, but they are the ones that can be commonly depleted in the first trimester. If you have any questions, be sure to comment below, or you can DM me :) #pregnancynutrition #firsttrimester #firsttimemum #momtobe

Hi Mamas Did you wonder if PRENATAL VITAMINS were all the same when you first found out you were pregnant? What was the FIRST thing you checked for when you were choosing yours? Prenatal supplements are not all the same. They vary in quality, and because there are many different ones to choose from, knowing what to look out for is key.... The first important thing to know is that prenatal vitamins should not be relied on as a priority to foods. Diet should always be your first choice, with a quality supplement filling in any gaps. Think of them as your safety net Look for nutrients that are in their active form. These are the ones best absorbed and used by your body, such as folate versus folic acid. Folic acid has to be converted into folate by the body, and 40% to 60% of women carry variants of the gene MTHFR, that enables this conversion to take place. Choosing a prenatal with folate (Methyl-Folate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF) instead of folic acid means that it’s already in the bioavailable form (readily usable by the body). Folate is at the top of my list to check for (amongst many others) as this helps to prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in babies. Most prenatal supplements are designed to meet minimum nutrient requirements, and this is why I recommend using them as a supplement ALONGSIDE a nourishing diet. Quality is important, as not all prenatal supplements are created equally. Poor quality supplements may contain nutrient forms that are more difficult for our bodies to absorb, and they may also have unnecessary fillers like carrageenan, added sugars such as high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives like sulphites and even hydrogenated oils. Quality prenatal supplements @nourishmentisneeded(IG) #seekinghealth #pureencapsulations may increase your absorption of nutrients, AND can help with pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and constipation. There's so much more to talk about with prenatal supplements and this is just touching the surface. Let me know if you got confused knowing what to look for in your supplements #prenatalvitamins #prenatalcare #prenataldiet #pregnantmums #firsttimemummy See more

? I know it becomes confusing knowing which one to buy doesn't it? There are so many on the market and I'd love to know which one you found that fit in alongside your pregnancy diet. Let me know in the comments, AND, if you have any questions for me be sure to share them below too, or, send me a DM. #pregnancylife #prenatalvitamins #mumtobe ... https://www.viviennestallwood.com//how-to-choose-a-prenata

"Can I use protein powder in pregnancy" is a question I'm asked lots. Give me a if you're using a protein powder in your pregnancy. I don't typically recommend protein powder in #pregnancy, UNLESS there's a good reason, or, a mum-to-be really wants to use one I know there are SOooo many brands on the market, it becomes confusing to know what to look for so here are a few things to check before deciding which one to buy - Many will have additional herbs, vitamins, a...nd minerals added into the mix. This may leave you overdoing it, considering that you're already taking your prenatal supplement (which is designed SPECIFICALLY for pregnancy). Also, there are certain herbs that aren't recommended in pregnancy (or during breastfeeding), so be cautious. Check for caffeine! Yes, caffeine is okay in pregnancy (typically 200-300mg a day for most mamas), BUT if you're enjoying your morning coffee, you're probably at the recommended amount already. Having a protein powder containing caffeine may tip you over. Artificial sweeteners and "added" sugars are notoriously thrown into protein powders, and it's best to limit both. Sweeteners like saccharin are not recommended in pregnancy, so be sure to check for these on the ingredients label. If you already have digestive issues, these sweeteners can often make them worse. Checking whether it's third-party tested will help to clarify what's written on the container, is actually what's inside. It'll also give you peace of mind that it doesn't contain heavy metals (such as lead) or harmful chemicals. For the smoothie lovers - I have 28 Prenatal Smoothie recipes at https://www.vivstallwoodmaternalnutrition.com/pregnancy-smo that contain protein through whole foods Was this helpful? Are you using a protein powder in your pregnancy? If so, what's your favourite brand to use? #prenatalsupport #proteinpowder #pregnancynutrition

The diet culture has a lot to answer to. Give me a in the comments if you agree... It makes us believe that - Being thin is the key to our happiness.... Losing weight should be the ultimate goal. Counting calories is where it’s all at. How you look, is what matters the most. If you’re a mum-to-be or new mama caught up in the trap of diet culture, I hear you - I truly understand how it happens. BUT, dieting should not be a part of pregnancy! I know pregnancy and motherhood can be overwhelming at times, particularly as a first-time mum. You have the unsolicited advice from friends, family, and, even random strangers! Comments like- Wow, you look huge You look exhausted You look tiny That’s a big baby! No wonder women often head into labour, delivery and postpartum, anxious, scared, and worrying whether they’re too big, too small, if something’s wrong? Pregnancy affects everyone differently, and there’s definitely no one-size-fits-all when it comes to weight gain, and sizes of bumps. There are SOooo many changes happening, and weight gain is one of them - it's completely normal, and, expected. I think it’s time to break this cycle! Start teaching ourselves and others, that pregnancy is our opportunity to change up this mindset. The next time you see a beautiful mama-to-be tell her- You look so healthy You’re glowing You look beautiful There’s much more to say about this, so let’s start with you Share what unsolicited advice you received/ are receiving in your pregnancy or as a new mama #newmum #weightgaininpregnancy #pregnant #motherhood #newborn #love #selfcare #momtobe #babybump #weekspregnant #mom #postpartum #mumtobe #pregnantbelly