Bringing a child into this world may seem a down right miracle. Every woman’s Pregnancy-journey is quite different. Some don’t experience a day of Morning Sickness, while others’ vomit on the daily, and are bed-ridden the entire 9-months. I had a friend who would hurl every time her husband came close to her. For some reason, his scent induced vomiting. I can only imagine what that did to his self-esteem. Guess he was able to shake it off. They’re still together, with three beautiful children.
Then, beyond that, every woman’s labor-and-delivery-journey is strikingly different, reaching a myriad of highs, and lows, before ‘Baby’ even enters the world. Some women know, from the onset, they’ll get an epidural at the hospital as soon as permitted, while others’ go the natural route, with a Doula, at home–in a bathtub. To each their own.
For me, labor-and-delivery was a breeze (once the epidural was on board). But pregnancy was tough. I didn’t just have Morning Sickness, I had All-day-Sickness, up until the beginning of the third trimester. I don’t wish that upon any woman. Plus, I struggled with Gestational Diabetes, and Preeclampsia. But no matter the journey, of tantamount importance—eating healthy! Included in that is eating GREEN. Some of you may be rolling your eyes thinking: I can barely keep down a saltine cracker, let alone some kale. Rest assured, you’ll get there even if it means you have to wait until the third trimester.
You know the old adage, ‘you are what you eat?’ Well, during pregnancy, your baby is what YOU eat. This reminds me of the precautionary measures we’ve heard hundreds of times before taking off on an airplane: “…put on your child’s oxygenmask, first– before your own…”. Using this analogy, think of eating green, as putting on your baby’s oxygen mask, first–before your own. Eating green is giving ourselves, and our babies, more than a fighting chance to weather the storms of toxins, and disease in the world, or heredity passed down through the familial gene pool. Eating green is like a life line from the Gods.
Research shows pregnancy is a critical window in consuming the proper amounts of macro and micronutrients found in greens to ensure optimal fetal health. “According to ancient scriptures and scientific research, the fetus registers everything that the mother goes through — mental, emotional, physical, etc. It registers everything in the form of impressions that form the basis of life.” (Elizabeth Carman, Education Begins In the Womb) Supposing that’s true, and we’re our baby’s first teacher, we can teach our unborn children the importance of eating healthy, by what we eat, before they even leave the womb.
So, what exactly does it mean to “eat green”? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend pregnant women eat approximately three to five, 1 cup servings of raw or cooked vegetables per day. This can be a tall order for anyone, let alone if you’re pregnant. But before you go throwing in the towel–there’s a quick, convenient, safe alternative–Complete Greens It’s an incredible, low maintenance, way to ensure you, and your baby, are getting the highest quality nutrition needed during, and after, your pregnancy-journey.
It has extra nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help your baby’s growth, while in the womb. Then, come postpartum, you can use Complete Greens nursing to not only get the energy and antioxidants you need, but to get back to your pre-baby body.
You have two options: an unflavored option, or a delicious Mixed Berry flavored option. Complete Greens is full of essential greens your body needs. Let me break them down for you:
1. Organic Wheat Grass: Is full of iron, calcium, magnesium, amino acids, chlorophyll, vitamins A, C and E. Additionally, it gives your immune system a boost of rich nutrients to protect you from harmful bacteria in your digestive system. Plus, it rids the body of toxins and waste. It’s also rich in protein (containing 17 amino acids, the building blocks of protein).
2. Organic Kale: this SUPERFOOD is plentiful in vitamins A, K, B6, C, Calcium, Potassium, Copper, and Manganese. Eating kale alone is extremely beneficial. Here’s why: it’s high in fiber, which will help keep you regular. It’s packed with antioxidants to protect your body from free radicals, which prevent diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
3. Organic Barley Grass: dates back before 5000 B.C. Even the Ancient Greeks and Romans knew the health benefits of this dynamic sweet grass. It’s proven to strengthen the immune system, alkalinize the body, increase energy, aid digestion, relieve constipation, plus improve the health of skin, hair, and nails. Additionally, it’s essential for removing toxins and heavy metals out of the thyroid. Further health benefits include: relief of Ulcerative Colitis through assisting in alleviating inflammation, protection against UV Radiation by extending a therapeutic relief on the existing damaged cells owing to the presence of superoxide dismutaseenzymes. Then, an added bonus, barley grass stimulates the regeneration of cells to reduce the signs of aging.
4. Organic Broccoli: is another Superstar food. It’s rich in fiber, contains Vitamins K, B1, B2, B3, B6, Iron, Magnesium, Folate, Potassium, and Zinc. Plus, packs just as much Vitamin C as an orange. Here’s a quick break down of just how important these Vitamins are:
Vitamin K – is essential for the functioning of many proteins involved in blood clotting
Vitamin C – builds collagen, which forms body tissue and bone, and helps cuts and wounds heal. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and protects the body from damaging free radicals.
Fiber – promotes digestive health. A high fiber intake can also help lower cholesterol.
Potassium – is a mineral and electrolyte that is essential for the function of nerves and heart contraction.
Folate – is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells in the body.
5. Organic Spinach: is rich in vitamins A, C, and K. Its origins can be traced to Central and Western Asia, known today as the area of Iran. A cup of spinach has about 3% of your daily calcium intake. Spinach contains other minerals useful for bone health like manganese, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, and zinc. For your muscles, it contains the antioxidant coenzyme Q10, which plays a role in strengthening the heart muscle and can prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating spinach can help improve eyesight and reduce the risk of cataracts. Spinach also contains lutein, which helps protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Lutein can also help prevent macular degeneration, a disease that can lead to blindness, if untreated. Spinach also contains beta-carotene, which helps the eyes maintain a healthy level of moisture. This green veggie is also high in potassium, which helps lower high blood pressure. It also contains folate, which helps relax blood vessels, and lower blood pressure.
6. Organic Spirulina: Phycocyanin is the main active compound in spirulina. It has powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which is beneficial for recovery, after workouts. This blue-green algae found at the bottom of the ocean trumps raw spinach and carrots when it comes to the amount or iron and beta-carotene found in just one serving. Initial research suggests Spirulina may improve the following: weight loss, gut health, managing diabetes, lowering cholesterol, reducing blood pressure, preventing heart disease, boosting metabolism, reducing allergy symptoms, and supporting mental health. Plus, spirulina can help ward off toxins and heavy metals.
7. Organic Chlorella: Chlorella may help the body detox by binding to heavy metals and other toxins. If you’re having trouble fighting off those daily cravings, it can help cleanse your system. This algae is believed to have health benefits that include the prevention and treatment for things such as Cancer, Hepatitis C, and even Preeclampsia during pregnancy.
In a 2010 Study in the journal Plant Food for Human Nutrition, researchers in Japan provided 70 pregnant women with either a daily 6-gram (6,000-mg) dose of a chlorella supplement or a placebo. Treatment started from 12 to 18 weeks of gestation and continued until the time of delivery. When compared to the placebo group, the women provided chlorella had significantly higher hemoglobin levels during the second and third trimester. Moreover, they had a lower incidence of edema (tissue swelling), proteinuria (protein in urine), and gestational hypertension (high blood pressure), all of which suggest a reduced risk of preeclampsia.
After reading all about the benefits of these main ingredients in NutraBump Complete Greens, I’m sure the importance of eating green, for you and your baby, is a no brainer. Maybe it’s just me, but did we also just stumble upon the Fountain of Youth?