Althought pregnant women, who suffers with food allergies, can genetically pass it on to their newborns there are other factors, such as environmental and lifestyle, that plays a part as well. This is why researchers cannot pinpoint what causes eczema oubreaks in children, so it is difficult to predict if your child is at risk for having eczema. However, by making some simple changes to your dietary plan and lifestyle you can provide your body with the proper nutrition to help your unborn child be healthier while still in the womb.
Tip #1: If you are aware of any foods that you are allergic to or have negative reactions to avoid them while you are pregnant (also if you plan on breastfeeding your infant). Every allergic food you eat creates antibodies that triggers your immune system to attack. Well this process is also training your unborn child’s body to attack those same foods. Therefore by avoiding the allergenic foods you are helping your unborn child to develop a healthier body.
Tip #2: Eat more wholesome foods that include leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, chard, collard green, mustard greens, salad greens, etc.). Also eat more non-starchy vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. By adding more serving of these vegetable you increase your fiber intake as well as valuable nutrition that you child will enjoy after birth.
Tip #3: Eat more quality protein. Protein is the building block of the body and when women are pregnant their body is literally building another body. It is important to have not only the proper amount of protein but the highest quality of protein. For beef, chicken, eggs, pork, and turkey the highest quality is free range and purely grassfed. If this quality is not available to you then go for the next highest quality which is free range, grass/grainfed, then free range grain fed. Keep in mind there are no steriods, antibiotics, hormones etc used and that animals are treated humanely. For plant based protein you want to think terms of foods grown organically. You also want to be sure to get all 22 amino acids by combining plant based foods such as legume family (beans) with grain family (such as rice, quinoa, etc.)
Tip #4: The proper supplements can help as you make the transition to a healthier diet. Talk to your health care physician about high quality whole foods multivitamin/mineral supplements, and probiotics (for those healthy intestinal bacteria to help build a stronger immune system). Research have suggested that pregant women who took Lactobacillus Rhamnosus decreased their unborn child’s risk of developing food allergies.
Tip #5: Talk to your health care physician about taking essential fatty acids (omega 3/6/9) for proper cell functioning, brain development, and beautiful health skin for you and your infant child. It is important to take the proper dosage for your body in order to get experience the benefit of this supplement.
Tip # 6: Drink enough spring water in order to keep your body hydrated. Your baby needs water as much as you do.
Tip #7: Control your stress levels while you are pregnant. Think of it like this, when you are stressed out so is your unborn child. So learn to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Some ideas are to listen to soft, relaxing music, meditate, light exercise, laugh, make a priority list of things to do and if every thing on the list don’t get done then either reassign it or do it another day.
My question to you: If you are pregnant what are your concerns about your unborn child that might be at risk for eczema?
Sandra Hurd, MS
Certified Nutrition Consultant
http://www.stopmychildseczema.com
Subscribe to my free eczema newsletter by clicking HERE
