Hey, you’re expecting!? Congrats! Pregnancy is beautiful. But it can also include some unpleasant side effects. Luckily, a high-fiber diet can help you avoid some of those less-than-magical pregnancy moments, like pregnancy constipation and hemorrhoids.
Month to month, pregnancy causes changes in hormone levels, which can cause changes in the digestive system. (For example, changing progesterone levels slow digestion.) Nausea and food cravings can also alter dietary habits, with pregnancy constipation as a result. And growing babies put direct pressure on organs, making hemorrhoids more likely. It’s estimated that about half of pregnant women experience such digestive woes during pregnancy.
The good news is that high-fiber foods can help alleviate pregnancy constipation by easing digestion, creating softer stools and making bowel movements easier to pass. Along with exercise and drinking plenty of fluids, making fiber-rich foods part of your daily routine can help make for a more comfortable pregnancy.
To add more fiber to your diet, eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. It’s recommended that women aim to eat about 25 grams of fiber per day. Getting your fiber from a mix of sources can also help you to take in a diverse array of nutrients.
For roughly half of your fiber goal, add a Fiber d’Lish bar to your daily diet. Each Fiber d’Lish bar provides 12 grams of fiber through a mix of whole grains, seeds, and prebiotic inulin. With ten Non-GMO Project Verified flavors that range from fruity to nutty to dessert-like, there’s a Fiber d’Lish bar for you no matter what you’re craving.
As always, make sure to increase the fiber in your diet gradually while drinking plenty of fluids! Staying hydrated is important for optimal health, and is especially helpful in avoiding pregnancy constipation.
Best wishes for your bundle of joy!