10 Hacks to Lessen your Morning Sickness

This post was written by Dietician – Rosemary.

One thing that no future mom is looking forward to when she becomes pregnant is the morning sickness. But yet it affects 80% of pregnancies!

It is something that you just can’t take a rain check on. And because you can’t, I am going to give you 10 practical hacks, which you can implement today, to help with your morning sickness.

1. Eat small amounts as often as you can

Eating large amounts of food in one go is just going to make you feel ill. Rather break your meals into smaller portions and eat 6 times a day rather than 3. This will allow your body to still get all the nutrients you need but without that nauseated feeling.

2. Eat ‘neutral’ foods

Try to avoid foods which are hot – try to stick to foods which are at room temperature or cold. Cold foods let off fewer odours. Eat your meals in a well-ventilated area so that food odours can dissipate. Try to avoid foods which have a strong odour to them or that are loaded with spices. Also, very sweet or fatty foods can trigger many to feel queasy.

3. Keep your fluids separate

Keep your meals small and your fluids separate. Do not drink your fluids with your meal. This is just going to overload your stomach. Sip on a small amount of lemony water thought-out the day to make sure you are receiving all your required fluids.

4. Stay sitting

After a meal stay upright and don’t lie down. Lying down will decrease the rate of absorption of the food. If you are having reflux lying down will also worsen it.

5. Don’t skip meals

It is very important that you don’t go for a long period of time without something in your tummy. Snack on crackers, nuts, fruit or yoghurt thought out the day. Try to have well-balanced meals every day. But if you feel unable to eat a whole meal snack on something healthy to keep you going. Skipping meals will cause your blood sugar to plummet, increasing your feeling of nausea.

6. Snack on high protein foods

It has been shown that by making sure you get enough protein you will help decrease your nausea. Snack on high protein foods throughout the day. This can include nuts and seeds, cheese, yoghurt and lean meats.

7. Be kind to yourself

It might sound silly but eat and drink slowly. As well as relax after meals. This will help you digest the food without feeling nauseous. Relaxation techniques can also help with decreasing nausea. Some people even look at wearing an ‘anti-nausea’ wristband to press on that pressure point to help decrease morning sickness.

8. Ginger

Ginger has been shown to lessen morning sickness and nausea in general. You might want to look into having a ginger tea is the morning or trying to fit it into your meals throughout the day. Ginger biscuits and ginger ale normally do not have enough ginger to help reduce nausea. Ask your doctor if there are any capsulated ginger pills which are save for you to take.

9. Eat something before getting out of bed

Getting up out of bed can be the worst thing if you have morning sickness. To avoid this have crackers on your bedside table and have a few of them before you get up out of bed and start your day. This will help to get your blood sugars in place and will put something in your stomach for the day.

10. Look at the supplements you are taking

So we all know how important it is to take your iron and folate supplements when you are pregnant. But could they be increasing your nausea? – Yes, they could be.
Different brands affect different people in different ways. If your current supplements are increasing your nausea then try another brand. Also, take your supplements at night as they are best absorbed then – your body will have a good amount of time to process them.

Different brands affect different people in different ways. If your current supplements are increasing your nausea then try another brand. Also, take your supplements at night as they are best absorbed then – your body will have a good amount of time to process them.

Let me know what other hacks have helped you decrease your morning sickness?

Rosemary is a dietitian who loves everything related to food and nutrition. Want to learn more about nutrition? Visit her website: Slim and Trim Meals.