What necessary nutrients are you lacking for you and your baby?

My prenatal vitamins don't give me enough folate, iron, dha, protein, and calcium. That means I have to get those things from food. That's why I'm compiling this community. It's so important! Do you know what you're lacking and what foods you need?

Minion cook

Hey Katrina, I know that I am lacking fiber. I have had trouble with constipation. I am trying to drink plenty of water and eat lots of veggies. I wanted to try flaxseed oil but I am not sure is it safe. Do you have any advice on how to resolve this issue?

Katrina Picray

Hi there. Let's start with I'm not a medical professional so please don't take anything I say as medical advice. I just like passing on what I've read. from what I've read, flaxseed oil you have to be very careful with. Too much can cause birth defects. I stay away from it. I have used actual flaxseed in small amounts but that you also have to be careful to not overdo. I've used it in energy balls as an easy snack and know people that have mixed it in their smoothies as a little extra boost. Don't forget about your fruit though for fiber. Bananas are good and easy to add to breakfast either as a side or something like a smoothie. Apples as well. Oranges aren't as high but I tend to eat about one a day as a vitamin c boost additionally. Let me see if I can find some good recipes to work some extra fiber in. remember also if you're postpartum or close to being, warm easily digestible food is important. Our bodies are working over drive already so we need to be feeding it things that aren't causing it to work harder than it has to, to digest.

Katrina Picray

re-rereading my post. apples would be a better option as far as fruit if you're dealing with constipation. Also spinach is like a super food for pregnancy as far as hitting allot of those nutrition needs and it's also high in fiber! I also tend to start my day with a bowl of oatmeal for an easy hot meal and that would be a high fiber start for you as well.