If you have found yourself on this page, one can assume you are in your first trimester (or maybe you are looking for help), and pregnancy nausea or morning sickness has hit you hard! The little one inside has been a bearer of both good news and torrid hormones! Every morning, you are exhausted, vomiting constantly, and do not even have an ounce of energy left to move ahead. Well, we bring you relief. Here is the listicle of the foods that fight nausea during pregnancy period.
Also, in this post, we will update you on the other ways by which you can manage your nausea naturally, in the upcoming months.
Table of Contents
Foods that fight nausea during pregnancy
For most people, these foods work wonders in controlling their nausea –
1. Ginger
One of the oldest and most noted food items that have eased nausea for centuries is ginger! It is packed with bioactive components like – shogaol, gingerol, and paradol. All of these help calm your stomach and regain its natural base levels. You can opt for ginger tea or look for supplements like – ginger pops and ale. However, you need to see that the ginger you consume is the ‘natural’ form, not any artificial form of this spice.
2. Lemons
Lemons have always been a nauseating person’s best friend! Keeping that routine alive, licking lemon slices or even sipping lemon water, can be of great help when recovering from morning sickness. If you are in a rush, keep a bottle of lemon drop in your bag for emergencies.
To bring things into perspective – a 2014 study shows lemon lemon-scented aromatherapy to be of great help!
3. Snacks (chips, pretzels, chickpeas)
While many believe that snacks could increase the chances of nausea, in reality, they are one of those foods that fight nausea during pregnancy.
These are bland, high in carbs, extremely easy to digest, and can deal with your waves of morning sickness! Also, ensure that you do not buy those snacks that are laced with flavors, or are extremely salted.
Simple snacks like – chickpeas, pretzels, and chips are great to nibble on first thing in the morning, and their starch content can absorb acids created in the stomach (one of the side effects of pregnancy).
4. Cold food items
Aromas have a strong role to play when it comes to morning sickness. The hotter the food item is, the more aromatic it is, thereby triggering nauseous outbursts. As an alternative, cold food items like ice cream, chilled fruits, yogurt, and popsicles are of great help! They not only assist in fighting nauseous tendencies but also cool down your stomach to a great extent.
5. Broth
Broths are one of the foods that fight nausea during pregnancy. Say you are facing one of the toughest, nauseous mornings, then you have to limit your intake of solid foods. Broths (especially miso soups/vegetable/chicken varieties) are the best options available. They rehydrate your body and help replenish the electrolytes. Added to that, you can also improve your consumption of soups and warm water, all of which help in getting back the nutrition that has been lost through vomiting.
6. Applesauce
Backed with the goodness of vitamins and carbs, along with pectin for company, applesauce is one of the best foods to revert back to when down with morning sickness! Firstly, it is incredibly gentle on your stomach, and secondly, it has dietary fiber, which assists in checking your diarrhea symptoms.
7. Foods high in protein content
During your pregnancy period, you must consume a maximum amount of protein. This not only assists in the growth of your baby but also improves your nauseous tendencies. Apart from that, protein also boosts gastrin hormone, which reduces the waves of nausea comparatively. Once you are done with your pang of morning sickness, you can surely amp up your nutrition content by consuming – chicken, eggs, tofu, lentils, beans, and more!
8. Bananas
One of the essential minerals lost during nausea is – potassium. The easiest way to replace it is through the consumption of bananas. For the unknown, bananas are one of the foods that fight nausea during pregnancy and are also a powerhouse of calories, magnesium, carbs, and Vitamin B6. Therefore, quickly pull up a banana to deal with your morning nausea. Consume it directly or make a smoothie out of it (add peanut butter to enhance the taste).
9. Starchy foods
You would be surprised to know, but your body requires starch to nourish the fetus after you have thrown up. In such cases, bland and high-carb foods like – potatoes, noodles, pasta, and rice can provide you maximum relief. Ensure these are cooked in the simplest way possible with minimal salt and pepper to maximize their benefits.
10. Herbal teas and fruit juices
The last of the mentions in this catalog of the foods that fight nausea during pregnancy comes fresh fruit and vegetable juices, along with herbal teas. Dehydration is one of the key reasons behind nausea attacks. You need to rehydrate your body after throwing up. Herbal teas are great alternatives for the same. You can choose from a range of varieties like – chamomile, peppermint, peach, raspberry, or spearmint.
Apart from that, lemonades, apple/orange juices, and even watermelon juice can be increasingly refreshing.
What other ways can you manage your morning sickness?
Apart from keeping a list of foods that fight nausea during pregnancy stocked in your kitchen, here are some other ways by which you can manage your morning sickness –
- You must stay hydrated. Make it a point to sip on 8 cups of fluid daily. Alternate between fresh fruit/vegetable juices, water, and herbal teas.
- Practice portion control. Break down your meals into smaller snacks and consume them efficiently throughout the day.
- Understand your triggers (certain foods/particular smells) and avoid them.
- Seek medical help if you are suffering from immense nauseous attacks and it hampers your daily routine.
Parting thoughts
Morning sickness, especially in the first trimester, is one of the key conditions that pregnant ladies have to deal with. In fact, for some, this issue becomes so excruciating that they are left completely drained of their energies at the very beginning of the day. Apart from kickstarting the morning correctly, consuming the correct food products provides excellent help. Assuming you have read this post well, you are better aware of the foods that fight nausea during pregnancy and will surely keep them handy.
If you enjoyed reading this post, and want to know more about such health tips, keep visiting this website.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What factors increase the chances of nausea during pregnancy?
A sensitive stomach, dehydration, excess stress, and certain medications enhance the chances of nausea during pregnancy.
2. What are the side effects of anti-nausea foods?
As such, there are no side effects from anti-nausea foods. However, before picking an alternative from the foods that fight nausea during pregnancy, you must ensure that you are not allergic to any of the constituents.
3. When to consult a doctor for nausea issues?
Recurring morning sickness is a standard issue in pregnancy. However, if things become extremely worse to the extent of you not being able to carry out your regular activities, then you must consult your doctor.
4. Are OTC medicines helpful in dealing with nausea?
For those with excessive nausea cases, OTC medicines can be of great help. Ondansetron, promethazine, and doxylamine are some of the best meds to deal with morning sickness. But you must consume them only under medical supervision.
