Every product contains some form of albumen that is digested by the albumen, called ferment. There is a form of native albumen which we have grown accustomed to eating; our ancestors also ate it (bread, meat, apples, fish, etc.). But they knew nothing about albumen found in coffee, cacao and citrus plants. Where did your great-grandfather get his oranges? Think about it. But we eat them and nothing happens because our digesting fabric called the liver neutralizes everything that is not digested completely in our stomach. When you get pregnant, your liver becomes the main fighter and it neutralizes secretions of the fetus. Let’s keep it safe. If you don’t want your child to suffer from intolerance for tangerines or chocolate, don’t eat these products while you’re pregnant (undigested particles are tasted by the fetus before they will be neutralized by the liver, so the child will develop an allergy after birth). So try to avoid everything your ancestors didn’t eat. You’ll be healthier. Don’t eat:
- Fatty foods (while cooking broth, remove fat; eat lean, skinny chickens and rabbits)
- Cacao, chocolate and chocolates, chocolate butter
- Coffee
- Citrus fruits, including lemons
- Spicy, acidic and salty food
- Canned foods
- Mushrooms
- Peas
- Fresh yeast products
- Strawberries and raspberries
- Products with buttered cream
It’s healthy to eat:
- Vegetables, especially onions, potatoes and cucumbers
- Fruits such as pears, apples and apricots
- Berries, grapes, cherries and watermelons
- Dairy products such as cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, sour milk and milk from a cow
- Lean meat and fish but no herring
- Raisin and dried apricots
- Steamed dried fruits
- Green tea
Remember:
- Steamed, boiled and baked foods are better than fried and smoked products
- It’s better to eat less of the things you want
- You shouldn’t eat too much of certain foods even if you crave it. Eat them moderately
- If you’re wondering whether or not you should eat something, don’t
- Don’t eat a lot before going to bed
- Don’t over-eat as a general rule
- If you absolutely have to drink alcohol on certain occasions (like New Year’s Eve) drink just a little red wine or champagne
- It’s best to get your calcium from pills and from cottage cheese – both you and your fetus will get enough
- It’s better to take complex vitamins. Compared to other vitamins, complex vitamins include vitamin D. If you can’t buy these vitamins, remember, that when you don’t get much sun, especially in winter, you need 500 units of vitamin D a day
- If you feel a lack of sweets, try to sleep
- Your weight depends not only on the food you eat but on your physical activity too
There is no reason to eat anything special as long as you’re feeling well. If there are any problems (edemas, for instance), ask your gynecologist what and how much you should drink.
What should you do while being pregnant?
- first of all, follow your instincts. If you want the fetus to grow normally, be physically active. You should move a lot. If the mother’s heart works actively, the child receives more of the useful substances which her blood contains.
But be careful:
- to be active doesn’t mean to be fond of parachute jumping or to become a rock-climber;
- don’t love yourself more than earlier, pregnancy is not an illness;
- keep fit and pay attention to your appearance (eyes, lips, chicks, nails, hair-do…) and don’t think that now your husband will stay with you forever;
- don’t do a lot of sun tanning and don’t forget about hats.
- use less aerosols (deodorants, hairspray). Generally try to use less chemicals (detergent, mineral fertilizers).
- work and study have great positive meaning as they give you a chance to think less about pregnancy;
- keep in mind: each infection is really dangerous for a fetus. Of course it’s very difficult not to catch a cold during 9 months, but try to prevent it by avoiding places with a lot of people. The most dangerous virus for a pregnant woman is German measles, which influences a fetus badly. Avoid visiting children hospitals. Don’t eat products which may cause diarrhea (be careful with the food you eat and don’t forget to wash your hands);
- don’t treat any illness yourself, such as a heavy cold or indigestion, with the help of various pills;
- don’t travel a lot during the last months of pregnancy. A plane or a train is not the best alternative to a maternity hospital.
A special question concerns different sets of exercises for pregnant women. A woman who is ready to do exercises regularly will find time to buy or borrow a book written by specialists. It’s important, nevertheless, to understand that all exercises are secondary compared to the importance of lifestyle (fresh air, physical activity). It’s strange, but I often face the situation when a future mother lies on the sofa for 12 hours, does some exercise for 15 minutes, then rests for another 11 hours and 45 minutes. This should not be considered an effective lifestyle to be ready for childbirth.
Every single parent has a different story to tell, but a common thread of hope and comfort unites them all.
A single parent can sometimes seem overwhelming. But the joys and triumphs of this special responsibility are incalculable.
Whether you are a single parent because of divorce or widowhood, by choice or by surprise, you are part of an extraordinary club, shouldering the many obligations and responsibilities of parenting alone.
Single Parent’s Soul shares the joys, challenges and humorous moments of single moms and dads, who cope daily with the unique pressures, constraints and sacrifices this important role brings. From daily struggles to amazing triumphs, this book captures the breadth of experiences that define single parenting.
Within these pages you will find inspiration and advice for getting through the difficult times, reassurance for those days when you worry you’re not living up to expectations and reminders of the unique influence you have on your children’s lives.
All of us, at certain moments of our lives, need to take advice and receive help from other people.
