Healthy Moms Make Healthy Babies

This article is written for moms-to-be and wanna-be moms-to-be. Healthy babies begin even before babies begin...before conception.

It's no secret; pregnancy adds a whole new dimension and need for excellent nutrition. You've been told to eat well, exercise and take your vitamins, but what does eating well really mean? And what vitamins are the best for you?

A wholesome diet before conception will significantly increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

• Research shows that women who ate a vegetable-rich diet before pregnancy had a much lower risk of having a baby with birth defects such as Spina Bifida (compared to women who indulged in high sugar diets).

Nutrition isn't just about vegetables and fruit. Yes, good quality organic produce are essential and provide valuable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; but let's take this a step further because moms and babies need so much more.

• Raw whole milk & heavy cream: Raw milk from pastured cows provides the proper balance of natural vitamin D, absorb-able calcium and the right amount of phosphorus. It's also easier to digest than pasteurized milk and can even be used to treat morning sickness.
• Eggs from pastured chickens: Eggs from pastured chickens contain vitamins A and D as well as choline and omega-3 EFAs. Choline is particularly important for proper teeth and brain development.
• Meat from grass-fed lamb, beef & poultry: Grass-fed animals have significantly more Omega-3 and CLA than their grain fed counterparts.
• Liver and organ meats: Liver is a rich source of folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin A.
• Cold water fish, fatty fish & fish liver oils: Fat-soluble vitamins, especially vitamin A, are the catalysts on which all other biological processes depend. For minerals to be properly absorbed and used, sufficient vitamin A is essential. A lot of vitamin A insures healthy reproduction and strong kids with healthy bones and brains.
• Butter, coconut oil, avocado oil: Improve reproduction and minimizes birth defects.

The take home message is this...
1. Chemical free foods are essential for moms and babies.
2. Grass-fed and pastured animals give you a ton more nutrients.
3. Fat and fat soluble vitamins, especially vitamin A, are extremely important for both boosting fertility and proper baby development.

What foods should you definitely avoid?
• Sugar and fructose
• Processed foods (Most foods that come in bags, boxes and cans are processed)
• Fast-food

Let's talk about supplements-this goes way beyond a pre-natal vitamin.
Here are a few really important nutrients. If you don't get them from your food, you should get them through supplements.

• Vitamin B12: You'll naturally get B12 from animal source like meat, fish, eggs, milk and milk products. B12 is critical for normal brain development and maintenance. A dietary shortage of vitamin B12 can cause permanent birth defects.
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid): To reduce the chances of having a baby with birth defects; make sure to get enough folic acid in its active form Metafolate.
• Omega-3s (DHA and EPA) from animals: Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold water fish and are especially abundant in grass-fed beef and lamb. Supplementation is often necessary since our diets are pretty deficient. Studies show that sufficient levels of omega-3 fats optimize brain growth in children, especially during the third trimester. DHA is especially important for optimum brain health.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D from the sun is the best, but supplements might also be necessary. Vitamin D reduces the risk of premature birth and may protect against a number of birth defects and autism, as well as high blood pressure.
• Probiotics: Eating fermented foods and taking supplements can decrease the chances that your baby will develop allergies, eczema, colic and premature birth.

Mommy nutrition goes way beyond pre-birth health. How a mom feeds herself will affect the health of her child well into adulthood. So healthy moms make healthy babies who grown into healthy moms themselves.

There is nothing I love more than empowering someone to radically change their life by taking control of their health. Most people suffer unnecessarily with common health concerns like Asthma, PMS and fatigue. Others are living with serious chronic conditions and feel totally overwhelmed with so many hospital visits, doctors and prescription drugs.

I take a practical yet extremely comprehensive approach when it comes to coaching my clients to achieve their best personal health. I use wholesome foods, precise supplements and moderate behavioral changes to help them create the life they've been yearning for.