Heartburn and acid reflux are common problems for pregnant women.
This is due to hormone changes and the womb pressing on the stomach which can push acid into the oesophagus, causing heartburn.
Thankfully, Rennie can be taken during pregnancy* and can help relieve these symptoms.
However, there are also other steps you can take to help reduce the symptoms.
As a general rule, it’s best to avoid acid-rich foods such as citrus fruits and juices, and coffee. Other potential no-go areas are fatty, rich or spicy dishes, such as curries.
Another rule of thumb is to limit your portion size and eat food slowly, as overeating is also a big cause of heartburn. If need be, you can go back and have more if you’re still hungry, but it’s likely that you’ll find that if you eat a smaller amount more slowly then you feel just as full.
This is because if you eat quickly, you can overeat before your body is able to signal to your brain that it’s full.
Below are just some of the simple snacks that can keep you satisfied during pregnancy.
BAKED POTATOES
Hot baked potatoes are simple to cook and are a great comfort food.
Instead of putting butter in yours, try non-fat yoghurt or potentially even cottage cheese, and sprinkle some parsley on top.
Potatoes contain vitamin C which can help to combat iron deficiency, and the skin contains fibre which helps the digestive system.
AVOCADO AND CRISPBREAD
Crispbread has a reputation as being dull but, if you add a little mashed avocado as a topping then it’s a tasty and nutritious snack which is full of ‘good’ monounsaturated fat. Avocado is also high in potassium, which can help with muscle cramps that can be common in pregnancy.
Wholewheat, low-salt crackers or crispbreads contain plenty of fibre and taste delicious when paired with avocado.
CEREAL, MILK AND BERRIES
Cereal can be a low fat and low sugar snack, and you can fortify it with even more goodness by adding milk and organic berries or chopped apples to the mix. Blackberries, raspberries and blueberries contain vitamin C, potassium, folate and fibre, while apples contain plenty of fibre.
Avoid cereals which have added sugar as they can negate the health benefits of the meal.
Milk is good for you and the baby, as it contains calcium which aids in bone growth. Try semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, as they contain all the nutritional benefits of milk but with less of the saturated fat. Make sure that whatever milk you consume is pasteurised, as this process kills any nasty bacteria.
It is advisable to avoid consuming Rennie with large amounts of milk or dairy products.
So, as you can see, while you are undoubtedly limited in what you can and can’t eat during pregnancy, there are still plenty of healthy and simple snacks to keep you full in between meals!
TIPS & ADVICE
Take a look at our tips and advice on how to have a happier digestive life.
