Eating Right

Eating right during pregnancy and breastfeeding really isn't tough. I just follow a few simple rules, some of which I borrowed from other people.

1. Eat food. Real food, not an edible food like product. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, put it back on the shelf and walk away. If it won't rot within a reasonable period of time, put it back.

2. Eat mostly plants. Animal products such as meat, cheese, etc. should be flavorings, not main ingredients. This is a tough one. Most people like meat. I'm vegetarian, but cheese is my downfall. I could happily eat a ton of cheese, every day. I have to work on this.

3. Don't eat so much. Eat until you aren't hungry, NOT until you're full. Again, this takes some will power but it makes a HUGE difference.

4. Listen to your body. If you want oatmeal, eat oatmeal. If you want cheese, eat cheese. Just not so much.

5. Eat dessert. If you don't, you'll be ticked off, angry and frustrated. Just follow the other rules as much as you can (i.e. buy ice cream that's real food, not an edible food like product and don't eat so much.)

6. Put as many colors as possible on your plate. The chemicals in the plants that make the different colors contain different vitamins. It's a simple thing that really works.

7. Whole grains. 'nuff said. Carbs are NOT evil. Overly processed carbs masquerading as real food are, but real carbs from whole grain are very healthy.

8. Buy organic greens (lettuce, spinach, etc), bell peppers, strawberries, milk and dairy products, and peaches. These are some of the most hormone and pesticide laden foods in our supermarkets. It's not vital to get all of your foods as organic. Do some research to find out how to get the most bang for your buck.