From Morning Sickness to Heartburn
What you can do for common food issues
Women can experience a range of issues during pregnancy that affect how they eat. Here are some suggestions for ways to deal with these complaints. Consult your doctor if the problems persist.
| Complaints | You May Experience | What You Can Do |
|---|
| Morning sickness | Nausea and vomiting at any time of the day | - While nauseated, eat low-fat, bland foods that can be digested easily (e.g. plain rice, toast, boiled potatoes, cereals, soft fruits, poached or boiled egg, and clear soups)
- For relief, try taking some soda water, lemonade, ginger ale, popsicles or ice, hard sweets or foods that are both salty and sour (for example, a slightly ripe mango with a little salt, or guava with a little plum powder)
- Take as much fluid as possible in between meals
- Prevent nausea by:
- Eating a few pieces of crackers before getting out of bed in the morning
- Eating small, frequent meals through the day
- Eating lightly seasoned foods and avoiding spicy, greasy and fried foods
- Avoiding pungent foods and smells
|
| Heartburn | An uncomfortable burning sensation in the center of the chest | - Eat small, frequent meals through the day
- Take lots of fluid in between meals rather than with meals
- Avoid coffee
- Avoid greasy, fried, strongly seasoned or spicy foods
|
| Constipation | Passing of dry and hard stools | - Drink plenty of fluids, including a glass of water before going to bed
- Try taking prunes and prune juice
- Eat more high fiber foods (e.g. wholegrain cereals, whole grain products, fruits, and vegetables)
- Eat small, frequent meals and thoroughly chew your food
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