Tips to Follow to Improve Food Digestion during Pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman undergoes various hormonal changes
which can lead to bad food digestion during pregnancy. Some tips to improve
food digestion during pregnancy are drinking enough water, eating high fiber
foods, avoiding smoking and drinking, and regular exercise.
Pregnancy is considered one of the most important time in a
woman’s life. There are many hormonal changes that take place in your body
during this time, as you are ready to bring a new life on earth. Some of these
changes can also affect your digestive system and bring discomfort. So, it is
necessary to know about foods that help in digestion during pregnancy and the
ones that should be avoided at any cost. Here we are discussing how to improve
your digestion during pregnancy. By following the given steps you can improve
your digestion during pregnancy.
1. Drink a Sufficient Amount of Water
Whether you are pregnant or not, this tip is always helpful.
Drinking plenty of water will always work in your favor. During pregnancy make
sure that you drink clean and germs free. If the water will be contaminated
then it will have many adverse effects on your body. Drinking clean and
germ-free water will improve your digestive system during pregnancy.
2. Do Regular Exercise
Be as normal as you can during pregnancy and perform your
daily task by yourself only. Even twenty minutes of exercise as a daily routine
can make a difference. Exercise can increase your metabolism rate. So, the food
will not get stuck in your digestive tract.
3. Switch to Multiple Small Meals a Day
When you take food in a large amount, it takes time for the
digestive system to digest that food. However, if you eat in small portion,
then your digestive tract will have plenty of time to digest the food, and it
can also make space for the next portion. So taking small meals three to four
times a day will improve your digestion during pregnancy.
4. Stop Smoking and Drinking
Smoking and drinking cannot only affect you physically but
mentally also. It can lead to digestive ulcers and infections. It will also
affect the mental and physical development of your baby. So, for the betterment
of you and your child, it is advisable to skip such habits during pregnancy.
Instead, you should drink more and more water and vitamin and mineral-rich
liquids.
5. Follow a Schedule to Eat
During pregnancy, your diet becomes the most important
factor. You should follow a proper schedule to eat your food. Your digestive
system becomes habitual of a schedule. It will also become easy to digest the
food if you take it daily at the same time. So, make yourself available for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily at the same time.
6. Eat Fibre Rich Foods
You are pregnant or not, eating fiber-rich food will improve
your metabolism anytime. Fiber-rich foods such as fruits, green vegetables,
peas, and beans will help you improve your digestive system. Such foods keep
moving in your digestive system tract, which results in the prevention of
constipation.
7. Avoid Spicy and Fried Foods
At this time you will crave for spicy foods, curries, tikka
masala and all but keep in mind that they will surely affect your digestive
system. Eating spicy and fatty food will always worsen the condition. If your
cravings are strong and you can not stop your tongue, then just remember that
you will have to bear the consequences.
8. Drink Milk Everyday
Drinking milk is also an option to improve your digestion
during pregnancy. However, it does not have a positive effect on everyone. Some
women say that it makes their digestion worse. If milk is not a great choice
for you, then you can prefer its alternatives as yogurt or ice cream.
9. Do Not Eat Late at Night
Try to avoid eating late at night. It will improve your
digestion during pregnancy. When you lie down, your stomach content has risen
up, and it takes more time to digest your food. Make it a habit to take your
dinner two hours before you are going to sleep. However, if you feel hungry
afterward then you can take snacks.
10. Maintain a Food Diary
You can keep a diary with you and write in it that which
foods affect your digestive system. For some women, caffeinated drinks can be a
cause, while for others tomato sauce can be harmful. So, by making a list of
such items you can avoid them.
There are also other smaller steps that you can take to
improve your digestion during pregnancy like eating slowly, chewing your food
well, avoid drinking while eating and wear loose-fitting clothes.
Changes that occur in the Digestive System During Pregnancy
After knowing the steps to improve your digestive system
during pregnancy, you should also know the cause of digestive problems during
pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones definitely affect our digestive system.
Progesterone hormone causes smooth muscle relaxation. It also causes relaxation
and slowing of digestion in the stomach and the small and large intestines. The
gallbladder is also affected by delayed emptying. It can increase the chances
of gallstone formation. Many digestive discomforts of pregnancy like morning
nausea or vomiting, constipation, and heartburn are all related to the relaxed
tone and slowed the action of the digestive system.
The growing uterus also affects the digestive system. As the
uterus grows, it can press on or even block parts of the digestive tract. This
leads to slower movement of food and constipation. Always ask your doctor before
taking any medicine for this condition.
Many women face appetite changes in pregnancy, including
other conditions like:
Increased hunger
Decreased appetite
Cravings
Aversions
Nausea and vomiting
A few women develop pica which is a rare craving to eat
things other than food. This includes things like dirt, clay, and coal. The
craving means there is a nutritional deficiency in the body.
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