Preventing Pre-eclampsia

I am doing okay, still marvelously sick with morning sickness and miserable most of the day, but I wouldn't give that up. If I suddenly started feeling better before the first trimester was over, I would be a mess of worry. So I look at it as my miserable little reassurance and I don't mind too much.

I know I am probably destined to have Pre-eclampsia butI thought I would look up tips on preventing it anyway. Here is what I found:

• It has been suggested that increasing dietary fiber can prevent preeclampsia. The study suggests that out of 383 women, the ones who consumed more than 24 grams of fiber a day (the top 25% for consumption) has a 51% reduction in the risk for preeclampsia.
• Dr. Tom Brewer also claims that with the Brewer Diet, preeclampsia can be prevented. On the website it says… “It’s not genetics. It’s not random. The cause is NOT unknown. Toxemia CAN be stopped. PreeclampsiaA-toxic-condition-developing-in-late-pre… CAN be stopped. Best of all, YOU can stop it!
• The simple prevention methods are to be sure to drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• The following medications and supplements have been extensively studied for their potential to prevent preeclampsia: * calcium (for example, Os-Cal); * fish oil supplements (for example, Promega); * supplements with vitamins C and E; and * baby aspirin (for example, Ecotrin Adult Low Strength). However, large studies have not shown calcium supplementation, baby aspirin, or fish oil supplementation to be beneficial in preventing preeclampsia. Early studies with vitamins C and E show a possible beneficial effect, but larger studies should be conducted before these agents can be broadly recommended. .

Snack and drink ideas

Here are some healthy ways to satisfy between-meal hunger pangs:

• An apple and a palmful of almonds or walnuts
• A slice of whole-grain toast spread with 1 tablespoon of a protein-packed almond butter
• A 6-ounce glass of skim milk (or non-dairy milk) and a banana
• Low-sodium vegetable juice
• Sparkling water with a splash of pomegranate juice and a few sprigs of mint
• Carrot juice with a splash of orange juice
• Vanilla- or chocolate-flavored sugar-free soy milk over ice

Top tips for eating well

• Eat a good breakfast. Here's where you set the stage for your day. A breakfast with protein, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber will make you feel better the rest of the day.
• Eat small meals with snacks in between, rather than three bigger meals.
• Include protein in every meal and snack, and avoid foods with refined sugar or processed white flour. This helps your blood sugar levels stabilize and keeps hunger at bay.
• Work fruits and veggies into your meals in creative ways: Toss assorted chopped vegetables into your breakfast eggs, or sprinkle shredded zucchini or carrots into low-fat quick breads. Apple and cucumber slices make great additions to sandwiches. Add apple chunks, dried cranberries or currants, or chopped dried apricots to salads.
• Focus on folate: Plus-size women, according to a study, may need more folic acid than smaller women, so it's essential to take a daily prenatal vitamin with 1 milligram of folic acid both before and during pregnancy.
• Choose unsaturated good fats (olive, canola, peanut oils) over saturated and hydrogenated bad fats (animal fats, palm oil, margarine).
• Use a food diary to keep track of your food and nutrient intake so you can make sure you're getting enough good stuff. It's also useful for tracking your mood and hunger levels so you can spot patterns you may need to change.