Has eating the right foods in pregnancy been a challenge for you?
(Or was it just me!)
Constantly wondering what is safe and healthy for you and your baby?
Trying to manage all the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, heartburn, and other difficulties naturally?
Wanting to indulge in your cravings but not sure how to do it in a healthy way?
Preparing to go through the marathon of labor with enough energy?
Wanting to produce a strong milk supply for your baby and heal quickly during postpartum?
What if you could spend less time trying to find all the answers so you could focus more on planning your registry, taking cute bump photos, or even just taking a nap!
You could have a quick and simple reference of everything you need to eat and avoid so you don't have to waste time on Google
You could understand why you're craving certain foods and how to prepare them in the healthiest way possible so you can indulge in your craving (without the mom guilt)
You would have sustained energy during early and active labour (even when your birth location only allows you to bring clear liquids)
You would know you are building a healthy baby during pregnancy with all the raw materials you need, and in postpartum, feeding your baby with prime quality "liquid gold" breast milk
You would have a solid foundation of nutrition to not only have a healthy pregnancy and baby, but prevent nutrient depletion during postpartum that often leads to depression, anxiety, and other postpartum health issues.
So all you have to do is enjoy those baby snuggles!
You're a mom who wants the best and most natural health for her baby!
And I know from experience that comes with a lot of extra work.
Research low tox baby items for your registry, learning how to make your own baby food, preparing your mindset for a natural birth, tasks like those can add up.
So allow me to give you one less thing to think about!
I'm Cayla, a biblical naturopathic doctor and a mom of 2 amazing littles. Besides having multiple degrees and certifications (one of them being a certified clinical nutritionist), I also know first-hand what it is like to go through 2 pregnancies, each with their own challenges.
And by the grace of God, the right nutrition, and other holistic health practices, my babies and I were healthy and low-risk through the whole experience.
What can you expect from this program:
-Learn at your own pace videos, divided up into small videos that you can easily manage with less energy
-A private Slack channel where you can get regular support, encouragement, ask questions, and troubleshoot any issues that come up during your pregnancy and postpartum
-Natural ways to manage difficult symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, constipation, hemorrhoids, gestational diabetes, and more so that you can actually enjoy your pregnancy while staying "low risk"
-All the nutrients to eat and avoid for a healthier, stronger baby so he or she can meet all of his or her developmental milestones on time, get sick less often, and have a higher IQ
-Strategies to indulge in your pregnancy cravings while STILL being healthy, because come on, you should be able to enjoy yourself and listen to what your body says it needs (within reason)
-Food and drinks for an easier and faster labour and delivery with less risk of medical interventions so that you and baby can stay as safe as possible
-The right nutrients for a faster postpartum recovery, with less risk of postpartum depression, so all you have to do is enjoy your postpartum baby snuggles
-What foods are necessary to maintain a strong milk supply during breastfeeding, with better quality milk, so you know you're feeding your baby with liquid gold
Please note: this program is for educational purposes only and nothing in this program should be considered medical advice. Please consult your care provider for medical questions
Curriculum
Why do I say this course is Not Your Average Pregnancy Nutrition course?
Because it seems like most pregnancy nutrition courses will give you just the basics of what to eat to make sure you're getting enough of the right foods for you and baby.
But when I was pregnant, I was concerned with so much more than that! I wanted to optimize my nutrient absorption, prevent or minimize pregnancy difficulties, and go beyond just what has been declared safe by the FDA.
I also recognize that, as a pregnant woman, your nutrition needs don't just end with pregnancy. You need fuel for a safe and efficient delivery! You need to replenish your nutrients during your postpartum recovery! And if you're breastfeeding, you're going to need to maintain your nutrition to support your milk supply!
With that in mind, I go above and beyond to help you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.
FAQs:
Is nutrition the best thing to focus on while pregnant?
A pregnant mom is literally building a baby with the food she eats. Good pregnancy nutrition directly relates to a healthy and strong baby, an easier pregnancy, a faster labour, and smoother postpartum recovery with a better milk supply. This is my top priority in pregnancy, but I also value good exercise, chiropractic care, Arvigo massage, and other practices to be as healthy and strong as possible.
When is the best time to take this course?
If you're already pregnant, then I would say as soon as possible! The sooner you start applying good nutrition, the stronger and healthier you and baby will be.
If you're not yet pregnant, but hoping to be pregnant soon, starting to make nutrition changes at least 3-6 months before conception will help you produce healthier eggs and set you up with good habits before you're pregnant. Some of the most critical growth for baby may happen before you even realize you are pregnant, so it's never too early to start!
I'm in my third trimester and I just found out about your course, is it too late for me to start?
Not at all! You can still make the most of the remainder of your pregnancy. I also discuss postpartum recovery and breastfeeding nutrition which will still be beneficial to you.
My suggestion though is to have some grace for yourself. It may be discouraging if you find out the way you ate in the first part of your pregnancy may not have been ideal. So instead of thinking about the past, focus more on improving the future now that you have new information. And if you're planning on having another pregnancy, you can continue to apply everything you learned!
How long is this course?
There are 4 hours of videos, but they are divided into 10 bite-sized, 20 minute or less lessons. This is perfect if you're finding pregnancy is leaving you with less energy or if you have other kiddos keeping you occupied!
Does this course follow a specific diet program like keto, paleo, etc.?
Not at all, since all mamas are different! More than likely your dietary preferences will fit into this course but I focus on how to optimize digestion and nutrient absorption more than giving you specific foods to eat.
Are there recipes or meal plans included in the course?
I didn't feel that they would be very helpful, partly because every pregnant mama has different cravings and aversions, but mostly because I don't see them being very useful for long-term changes. Also, I know my skills and recipe creation is sadly not one of them!
There are so many great recipes online. My suggestion is to find whole-food, nutrient-dense meals as much as possible. Less ingredients will usually be cheaper and easier to make. I love sheet meals for this reason! They are especially helpful when you're feeling too tired to put a lot of effort into cooking.
If I follow everything in this course, am I guaranteed to have a healthy pregnancy and baby?
Although I wish good health were so simple, there are many aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Exposure to environmental toxins, maternal and paternal health history, medical interventions during delivery, maternal emotions and mindset during pregnancy and other factors can impact mom's and baby's health.
Good pregnancy nutrition is one of the best places to begin setting mom and baby up for success. For other ways to increase health or to address certain health conditions, you can book private sessions with me at www.sozoholistic.com/consultations
Please note: this program is for educational purposes only and nothing in this program should be considered medical advice. Please consult your care provider for medical questions
Did You Know?
-Supposedly "primitive" cultures practice preconception nutrition programs for BOTH men and women, as well as a special nutrient-dense diet for pregnant and lactating women. These cultures have lower rates of labour complications and their babies grow to have significantly less chronic illnesses than Western cultures.
-In parts of Africa with very distinct wet and dry climates, the babies whose mothers were pregnant during the wet seasons have a life expectancy that is several YEARS longer than the dry season babies. This is because the pregnant mothers in wet season have access to lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and the dry season mothers do not.
-All of a fetus's internal organs are formed by the end of the first trimester. For the rest of the pregnancy they continue to develop and get bigger. Some of these organs even start forming before a mother realizes she is pregnant! Having good nutrition habits before trying to conceive and during the first trimester (when possible) is the most ideal practice for baby's health and wellness.
Wow! All these facts show just how important and necessary good health and nutrition is for a developing baby! And even cultures who are supposedly "less educated" are more intentional about this than we are!
