With all the messages about what not to eat, sometimes it’s hard to find something to “fill the gap” during pregnancy. You need to be sure that the foods you choose are safe, healthy and nutritious but they need to taste good too! As you know, pregnancy places extra demands on your emotions and body, with an increase in energy and nutrient requirements. So nutrient-ric...
Teething happens when the teeth growing in your baby’s jaw begin to surface and push through their gums. Plunket tells us that it usually starts around 6 months of age, but may start earlier or up to a year old. Teething may come and go as it flares up then settles down again. If you’re lucky, your baby’s teeth will suddenly appear and you will wonder what all the fuss is about...
It can be tricky managing a balanced diet when you have a food allergy, but the additional energy and nutrient requirements during pregnancy certainly increases the pressure. You want to make sure you and your baby are getting the goodness required within the boundaries of your allergy.
If you have a diagnosed food allergy you’ll know that it’s a reaction to a food protein. The bod...
The old saying goes ‘when there’s an egg in the house you’ve got a meal’. This is worth remembering when you’re trying to think about what to have for lunch through the fog of broken sleep. As everyone is fond of reminding you, when you’ve got a new baby or are running after a toddler, you have to look after yourself too. So quick and nutritious meals are impo...
Unless you’re chemically or scientifically minded, it’s likely you think of the white granules you sprinkle over your breakfast cereal or add to your cup of coffee as sugar. You’re right – it is sugar but the scientists and chemists among us refer to it as sucrose. Similarly lactose is the term for milk sugar and fructose is fruit sugar.
If you want to know how mu...
The composition of breastmilk varies between mothers and at different stages of lactation, making it difficult to determine the exact nutritional profile. However there is no doubt that breastmilk provides the best possible source of fat, proteins, carbohydrate, water, vitamins, minerals, antibodies, immunoglobulins and energy for your baby.
As you can appreciate, breastmilk is a relatively c...
Life with a baby is full-on already without the added worry and concerns of food allergies and intolerances. If you have a family history of reactions to food you’re probably well aware of the facts, however for some people this is a whole new subject that requires investigation. For a start, it’s important to understand the difference between food allergies and food intolerances....
After the shock / excitement / stunned silent reaction to the news you’re expecting multiple babies has subsided, you may turn to practical matters. For example, how will you nourish yourself and your babies throughout your pregnancy?
Generally the basic guidelines for a multiple pregnancy are similar to those for singletons, with some exceptions and additional requirements. Multip...
There’s more to looking after your children’s teeth than brushing twice a day. Consumption of certain foods and drinks can either deteriorate or improve oral health. Not surprisingly research suggests eating high-sugar foods increases the risk of dental caries (tooth decay) and the frequency of sugar consumption also plays a role.
How do dental caries form? Some of the bacter...
You’ll have heard many stories – good and bad – about giving birth. Most mothers find being prepared for any eventuality is a good start and ‘packing your bag’ is part of the ritual. Labour is hard work and you might feel hungry and thirsty, especially in the early stages, so having a variety of suitable and appetising snacks to see you through is a good idea.
Con...
