Raw Pregnancy
– by Joanna Steven
The key to getting enough nutrition during pregnancy is to eat as many nutrient-dense foods as you can while avoiding foods that are filling but not that nutritious in comparison. For example, if you want some cooked food, go for quinoa, not white rice. If you want a drink, go for a green juice instead of plain water, although you definitely do need water as well.
Don’t shy away from nut butters, because they are high in protein, calories, and many nutrients. And, despite what some might say, there is a difference between good and bad fats, and it’s perfectly fine to have some olive oil and avocado. I already had stretch marks when I was 14, but my diet was dismal. When I was 8 months pregnant, however, I didn’t have a single visible stretch mark. I credit my diet that is full of hydrating juices, smoothies, and delicious healthy fats.
So what does a pregnant raw mama eat? Here are examples from my pregnancy…
Breakfast
- Green Juice, about 4 cups (kale, beet, apple, lettuce, ginger and lemon).
- Green Smoothie, about 20 ounces (cherries, banana, strawberries, orange juice, Swiss chard).
I like to have both green juices and green smoothies. Green juices are very hydrating, and since they are fiber-free, the nutrients within them go straight to the bloodstream. Green smoothies add fiber to my diet, as well as calories thanks to the fruits. And I get to eat more greens, too!
Lunch
- Veggies and Quinoa wraps (quinoa, avocado, cucumber, carrot, dulse, tomato, all wrapped in a giant collard green leaf, and drizzled with an olive oil/balsamic vinegar/garlic dressing).
This is an adaptation from a recipe in Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life
Snack
- 1 Honeycrisp apple and 2 Tablespoon peanut butter. If you have not had a Honeycrisp apple yet, what are you waiting for? They are delicious, very crisp and super sweet!
Dinner
- Green Soup (lettuce, avocado, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, cucumber, nori strips, olives, tomatoes and flax crackers).
This is one of my favorite soups ever. I like to top it with dulse too, depending on my mood. It is adapted from a recipe in Jennifer Cornbleet’s Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People
All these meals are really quick to make, and show how you can both eat healthy food and not spend 4 hours in the kitchen every day. You can absolutely chop your green juice veggies the day before and keep them in the fridge. You can do the same for green smoothies. Then, all you need to do is rinse your juicer parts with hot soapy water and let them air dry, and rinse your blender really well (or just run it with some warm water and soap, and rinse).
…What are your favorite quick and nutritious meals?
