New York Times Magazine: Ina May Gaskin

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Mommy Wars: The Prequel
Ina May Gaskin and the Battle for at-Home Births

New York Times Article. Click here

8 Foods Pregnant Women Should Eat

Almonds: These nuts are less allergenic than their cousins the peanuts, cashews & macadamia nut.  They are  high in folic acid, fiber & B vitamins have a low glycemic index. They are high in vitamin E, which can help with vascular health. Their fat content make them a great snack, which helps you to feel satisfied. Try a 20-30 almonds as a snack.

Chia Seeds: A What? Exactly. This is becoming a more popular food in healthy eating circles.  Chia seeds are the ultimate vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids, important for brain and eye development. They have 5000mg per ounce.  They are high in fiber and contain a moderate amount of protein (4g in 1oz). In addition, they contain minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese.

Cherries:  These berries are often overlooked as a superfood. They are the right color to give that rich antioxidant boost and are high in fiber and vitamin C.  They also have natural melatonin which can  aid with insomnia in pregnancy.

Chickpeas: An overlooked legume.  These beans are a great source of protein and also are high in folate.  They can have 15g of protein per cup. They also are a great source of minerals like selenium and zinc.  So eat up that hummus.

Eggs: One egg has every single essential amnio acid we need.  It's one of the very few dietary sources of vitamin D and also contains vitamins A, B6, B12, E, chlorine, iron, calcium and folic acid.  One egg has approximately 12g of protein.  Need I say more?

Flaxseeds: Known primarily as a great vegetarian source of omega-3, flax actually have less omega-3 than the chia seed, but many other wonderful properties. Flax has ligands which help balance hormones and can help stabilize mood swings in pregnancy.

Mushrooms:  Especially types like Shiitake are a great low calorie highly satisfying food. They are  high in several minerals such as: selenium, copper and potassium. They can be helpful in reducing inflammation in pregnancy

Yogurt:  There is just no getting around how wonderful yogurt is.  All natural, no sugar added, live culture yogurt is high in lactobacillius which quells yeast (a common complaint in pregnancy). Many types of yogurt are high in protein as well as calcium. The list of medicinal benefits is vast: decreased muscle cramps, promotes skeletal growth, decreases inflammation, aids in digestion, improves skin, decreases nausea.