Ayurvedic Nutrition During Pregnancy
This week we had the opportunity to interview Kem White an Ayurvedic Specialist, Clinical Herbalist, mother of three, and Santa Cruz native. Kem White became interested in alternative medicine through her own reproductive struggles earlier in life.
Through her studies of Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine and herbalism, Kem has helped empower women with educational based knowledge and individualized treatments to step into their own self-care routines. While sitting down with Kem we dove into the topic of Ayurvedic nutrition during pregnancy.
This is what we learned!
What is Ayurvedic Medicine?
Ayurveda is a five-thousand-year-old form of traditional medicine based in ancient India. The meaning of Ayurveda is the “Science of Life”. It is believed that each person has their own constitution made up of different doshas. These doshas are called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. From an elemental perspective, Vata is ether and air, Pita is fire and water, and Kapha is water and earth. In order to truly follow Ayurvedic principles, it is relevant to know what your Dosha is. However, today we will talk about nutrition that is essential for all Doshas during pregnancy.
Ayurvedic Suggestions during pregnancy:
Hydration: It is considered essential in Ayurveda to stay hydrated during pregnancy to keep your lymphatic system moving so that hormones are easily flushed through your body. In Ayurveda, reproductive health starts with the lymphatic system, also known as the immune system. Keeping yourself hydrated during pregnancy is known to directly benefit your growing baby.
Three important aspects of hydration:
- Electrolytes– Electrolytes are used to ensure the body has enough minerals to regulate hydration in and assimilate water in your body.
- Probiotics– Probiotics help your body maintain a healthy flora and fauna.
- EFA’s– Essential fatty acids allow for proper absorption of fluid intake. EFA’s also help by pumping up your cells so that water doesn’t flush through your system. There is also an added bonus of making your skin glow!
How to incorporate Ayurvedic nutrition :
The best way to incorporate these components for hydration into your diet is through whole organic foods when possible. A simple way to add probiotics to your meals is by eating raw ferments and cultures such as sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, yogurt, and kefir. To get electrolytes switch from table salt to a high quality pink or grey salt that comes from an ocean bed. You can do this by adding spices and ocean salt in every meal. It is also suggested to add healthy fats to each meal. This means unrefined and raw oils. These include but are not limited to, olive oil, sesame oil, and hemp oil. It is best to add raw oils to your meals after you cook. If you choose to cook with oil, ghee and coconut oil are recommended.
Three meals a day: Eating Whole foods and organic, when possible, is optimal for nutrition. Sitting down and eating while focusing on your food, chewing your food well, eating until you are pleasantly full, and eating with gratitude is best to properly assimilate and digest your food. This will also give you time for restful periods throughout your day!
While all of the suggestions above are good pieces of advice, for nutrition, during pregnancy it is important to note that everyone’s body is unique and in order to dive deeper into these concepts a consult with Ayurvedic Specialist is recommended.
Kem White, Ayurvedic Specialist, works in Santa Cruz, at the office of Santa Cruz Midwives, and offers her services through their website. Please contact her today to schedule an appointment. Kem also offers lymphatic drainage massage.
For more helpful blogs regarding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum visit Bay City Doulas
