MS, RDN, CSSD, CSCS
Claudia Wilson is a registered dietitian/ nutritionist, a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition (CSSD), and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). With an experience of 12 years, she currently manages her private practice All of Nutrition and authored One-Two Punch.Claudia holds a BS in Public Health and an MS in Nutrition. Claudia spent 10 years as sports nutritionist for the University of Utah Athletic Department and in Family and Preventive Medicine as a clinical dietitian. An international speaker, she served on Gatorade’s Nutrition Advisory Board and Speaker Network. She is also a member of the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN), and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
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Research states that “Maternal consumption of tree nuts, including walnuts, is associated with reduced nut allergies in offspring (1).” Walnuts are also nutritious and are rich in vitamins, minerals, essential oils, protein, and fiber. But when you are pregnant, you must be cautious of why, when, and how to eat walnuts. Read this MomJunction to know more about consuming walnuts during pregnancy. [mj-toc] [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/manage-protein-rich-foods-intake-pregnancy_0096816/" title="How To Manage Protein Rich Foods Intake During Pregnancy?"] Is It Safe To Eat Walnuts (Akhrot) During Pregnancy? Yes, it is safe to consume walnuts during pregnancy, considering that they are super rich in omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to the functioning of the brain and neurological health (2). They are also an important source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which are essential for a healthy pregnancy and baby development. What Are The Benefits Of Eating Walnuts During Pregnancy? Eating walnuts during pregnancy is beneficial as they are: 1. Abundant in Omega-3s...
[mj-toc] Cheese can make any dish more intriguing, delicious, and enticing. However, it is often debatable whether or not you can eat cheese during pregnancy. It is recommended that you eat a range of foods, including cheese, when pregnant. Read this post to know about the safety of eating cheese during pregnancy, what kind of cheese you can eat, and how much of it you can consume while pregnant if you have a cheese craving. Are You Craving For Cheese? You have cravings for a reason. It can be a way for your body to tell you to have certain nutrients (1). A strong craving for cheese could indicate that your body needs more protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Some old wives tales say that a strong urge to eat cheese indicates the sex of the baby. But they are just tales and have no scientific backing. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/vitamin-b12-rich-foods-you-should-take-during-pregnancy_0081504/" title="Vitamin B Complex During Pregnancy: Why They Are Important"] Back to...
Food cravings are common during pregnancy, and sugar cravings constitute a big part of them. Can eating too much sugar during pregnancy harm the baby? In this post, we tell you all about consuming sugar during pregnancy. Irrespective of whether you are pregnant or not, you should always keep your sugar intake in check to avoid complications. So, read on to know how much sugar you can have during pregnancy and learn about the possible side effects of eating excess sugar. [mj-toc] Can You Eat Sugar While Pregnant? You can eat sugar and sugary foods as long as it is not in large quantities. But if you have gestational diabetes, you should be extra careful about your sugar intake. Also, note that there is more refined sugar in candies, cookies, cakes, and soft drinks that provide zero nutrition. If you are having them often, then you need to replace them with healthier options such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables...
Moderate amounts of ginger tea during pregnancy are considered safe for consumption. Most pregnant women experience nausea during the first trimester. Research suggests that consuming herbal teas like ginger tea may help to reduce nausea in many expecting mothers (1). However, it is strongly recommended to seek your doctor’s guidance before including it in your prenatal care plan as a medication to avoid any fetal or adverse maternal health outcomes. However, there is no standardized dose recommended for achieving these benefits. Higher amounts may result in heartburn or stomach ache in some pregnant women. You may try various ginger tea recipes for relief from nausea. Read on to know the benefits, safety, risks, and recommended servings of ginger tea in pregnancy. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Drink Ginger Tea During Pregnancy? [caption id="attachment_891142" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Ginger tea is an ayurvedic concoction and is believed to be safe when consumed in moderation. It has a nice aroma, taste, and...
Eating fast food during pregnancy may be tempting to many women because your body may cause you to crave salty or sweet food. However, eating junk food may not be a good option because pregnant women require healthy prenatal nutrition to nourish themselves and their growing fetus. Since junk food is low in nutrients, eating it can adversely affect fetal development. Some negative effects of junk food may be an increase in digestive issues, weight gain, and risk of genetic abnormalities or birth defects in children. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid unhealthy eating habits and choose your food options mindfully. This post shares some side effects of eating junk food during pregnancy and how you can curb the craving. [mj-toc] Why Should You Limit Eating Junk Food During Pregnancy? You and your baby need a good amount of nutrients during pregnancy for healthy weight gain in you and proper development of brain, bones, organs and immune system in your...
Consuming plums during pregnancy can provide you with various essential nutrients. However, you must eat them in moderation. Although some anecdotal evidence suggests that plums and pineapples are not safe during pregnancy, there is no harm in adding plums in moderation to your well-balanced pregnancy diet. Plums are luscious. They stimulate the taste buds, and most women wonder if they can consume them in pregnancy. Read on to know the benefits and side effects of plums during pregnancy and how many plums a pregnant woman can consume. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Eat Plums During Pregnancy? [caption id="attachment_875355" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Plums and prunes (dried plums) could be good for pregnant women, as they are rich in nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A and C (1). However, consumption of these fruits is associated with the formation of [simple_tooltip text="kidney stones" tooltip="Hard deposits in the kidneys formed by chemicals in the urine" ] and must be...
Consuming broccoli in pregnancy seems one of the healthiest choices. This cruciferous vegetable from the Brassica family can provide you with several nutrients, fiber, and phytochemicals that possess antioxidant properties. But while this superfood can offer you several long-term benefits, is it safe to consume broccoli when pregnant? Keep reading to learn more about broccoli's safety for expectant mothers, its possible health benefits, and effective ways to include it in your pregnancy diet. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Eat Broccoli During Pregnancy? It is safe to eat broccoli in moderate amounts during pregnancy (1). Broccoli is rich in vitamins A, C, K, B6, calcium, [simple_tooltip text="folate" tooltip="Water-soluble vitamin B9 naturally found in foods." ], fiber, and antioxidant agents. Including this nutrient-rich food in your diet ensures good hemoglobin supply, strengthens bones, prevents skin ailments, [simple_tooltip text="birth defects" tooltip="Medical conditions present at or before birth affecting one or many parts of the body." ], and boosts nutrient intake. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/common-breech-babies-birth-defects-prevention_00755049/" title="7...
Having magnesium during pregnancy is crucial because it helps in reducing the risks of preterm birth or labor and other assisted complications in pregnancy. Magnesium helps maintain the body's blood sugar level and assists in building healthy teeth and bones (1). It also helps regulate the levels of cholesterol and maintain a steady heartbeat (2). Studies have shown that the deficiency of magnesium during pregnancy might increase the risks of [simple_tooltip text="preeclampsia" tooltip="A condition characterized by high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy and can be potentially dangerous. " ], infant mortality, or [simple_tooltip text="congenital disabilities" tooltip="Anomalies occur before or at birth, often inherited." ] in the fetus (3). Read on to know more about the importance of magnesium and other related information in this post. [mj-toc] Why Is Magnesium Important During Pregnancy? Other than the primary reasons mentioned above, there are more ways in which magnesium works for you and your baby. Works in conjunction with calcium: Both these...
A pregnancy diet should contain all the required nutrients. Consumption of spinach during pregnancy can provide you with protein, minerals, iron, and vitamins. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family of flowering plants and offers several health benefits. Read on to learn more about it, including its benefits for pregnant women and more. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Eat Spinach During Pregnancy? You can consume spinach during pregnancy, but in moderation. Spinach contains folic acid, which is one of the essential nutrients that pregnant women should include in their diet. Folate or folic acid helps prevent birth defects (1). This green leafy vegetable also contains iron, which is another vital nutrient required in pregnancy (2). But see that you are not consuming spinach in excess. For instance, if you are susceptible to kidney stones, then you may want to cut down the consumption of spinach. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/amazing-benefits-of-folic-acid-for-pregnancy_0075542/" title="5 Reasons To Take Folic Acid In Pregnancy And Its Dosage"] Nutritional Facts Of...
Green tea is one of the most effective drinks that improve metabolism. But is it safe to have green tea in pregnancy? This post will help you answer this question. Green tea is a rich source of catechins and is processed with minimal oxidation compared to other teas (1). Catechins are substances that prevent your cells from completely absorbing the folic acid, as the presence of folic acid in the blood during pregnancy helps prevent [simple_tooltip text="neural tube defects" tooltip="Birth abnormalities of the brain, spine, and spinal cord in a growing fetus caused by the folic acid deficiency" ]. However, there is not much scientific evidence to give the green light to having green tea while pregnant. Therefore, it is advised to consult your doctor before consuming it. Read on to know more. [mj-toc] Is Green Tea Safe During Pregnancy? [caption id="attachment_888177" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Yes, it is safe to drink green tea in moderate amounts as there aren’t...
Calamari or squid is a good source of essential fatty acids. But, can pregnant women eat calamari? Does it affect maternal and fetal health? Read this post to clarify your doubts. It is natural for you to try your best to do everything right to provide the best for your growing baby. So, you do not step back from giving up eating things that you love. Also, you may even try something against your liking to fulfill the target of a balanced, wholesome diet. Read on to learn if you can add calamari to your pregnancy diet. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Eat Calamari During Pregnancy? [caption id="attachment_893365" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Consuming about five ounces of calamari every week is considered safe during pregnancy and is beneficial for your developing baby. Calamari is the Italian name for squid, which is high in nutritional value. It is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (1), proteins, minerals, and other essential...
TOC: Cheesecake is a cheesy Greek dessert made by mixing soft and cream cheeses like Ricotta and mascarpone with eggs and sugar. If you love sweets, you might crave cheesecake during pregnancy often. But before taking a piece of that white delight on your plate, ascertaining its safety is vital. Cheesecakes have several varieties, some of which are made with unpasteurized dairy. Eating unpasteurized dairy and its products can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses such as food poisoning. Read on as we tell you more about the safety of cheesecake for pregnant women and the types of cheesecake you can eat during pregnancy. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Eat Cheesecake When Pregnant? It is safe to eat cheesecake if it is not made of unpasteurized cheese, and if it is baked so that it does not contain raw eggs. Pregnant women can also eat basic cream cheesecakes. You should avoid cheesecakes made of unpasteurized cheese because unpasteurized products contain...
Pregnancy is a phase of cravings and hunger, so eating something healthy is important. Eating healthy snacks can help keep your hunger pangs in control and provide enough nutrition to yourself and the baby. So, here are some healthy snacks for pregnancy you can try out. Sometimes, in the absence of enough food planning, women pick up junk food such as chips, cookies, cakes, and more. However, unhealthy food cannot provide you with essential nutrients and may have adverse effects. Therefore, it is advisable to plan your snacks beforehand and not wait for hunger to strike. We have included delicious snack recipes you can try during your pregnancy to stay energetic all day. [mj-toc]Healthy Snacks For The First Trimester Eating anything during the first weeks of pregnancy can be challenging because of nausea, cravings, food aversion or digestive issues. Moreover, you require more calories and folate and vitamin A, which you can get with healthy snacks. Read on for the...