Pregnancy

Young and pregnant: what to do and where to find help

When you find out you’re pregnant, it can be a time of many emotions. You may feel happy and excited, or shocked, confused and upset. Everyone is different. This can also be a time of growth and finding some inner strength you never knew you had. Navigating the decisions ahead can be easier with the… Continue reading Young and pregnant: what to do and where to find help

Parenting · Pregnancy

Giving birth in a new land

Being pregnant and giving birth in a new country can be exciting, stressful and scary at the same time. Prenatal care, birth practices, and traditions surrounding the birth of your baby can differ from country to country. Many individuals face challenges adjusting to their new country. For example, language barriers, employment, financial worries and lack… Continue reading Giving birth in a new land

Breastfeeding · Nutrition · Parenting · Pregnancy

Are you getting enough potassium?

By 2022, you will see potassium listed on the Nutrition Facts Table, as one of several food labelling improvements required by Health Canada. Why potassium? Diets low in potassium are linked with having higher blood pressure and other chronic diseases such as heart disease. Data shows that Canadians are not eating enough potassium-rich foods. What… Continue reading Are you getting enough potassium?

Nutrition · Parenting · Pregnancy

Food and Mood: What’s the connection?

Positive mental health is our ability to feel, think, and act in ways that allow us to enjoy life and deal with life’s challenges. Our mental health is affected by many different things including our work-life balance, our relationships with others and our environments. Having a healthy eating pattern is one of many activities that… Continue reading Food and Mood: What’s the connection?

Nutrition · Pregnancy

5 Reasons to attend a Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program

Finding out that you’re pregnant can make you feel many different things: happy, excited or even confused, especially as you read more about what to expect. How do you know you’re making the best decisions about your health or your baby’s health? There are so many sources of information available (websites, phone apps, forums), who… Continue reading 5 Reasons to attend a Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program

Nutrition · Pregnancy

Canada’s Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)

Congratulations on your pregnancy! This can be a joyous yet overwhelming time for you. You are probably thinking about the many physical changes happening to your body and what’s going to come next. Prenatal programs can help answer your questions. Prenatal programs can provide information on: labour and birth prenatal care and services how to… Continue reading Canada’s Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)

Breastfeeding · Nutrition · Pregnancy

Foods to support baby’s brain development

As a dietitian, I’m often asked by pregnant clients what foods they should eat to help their baby’s brain develop. The easy answer is to choose foods high in DHA, a type of omega-3 fat. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s important to get enough DHA. This healthy fat can be your infant’s best friend even… Continue reading Foods to support baby’s brain development

Breastfeeding · Nutrition · Pregnancy

Pregnant and fasting during Ramadan? 6 tips to eat well

The month of Ramadan is a time of fasting for Muslims. Check out registered dietitian Christine DeSouza’s tips to eat well during Ramadan. Fasting during Ramadan means no food or drink, not even water, between sunrise and sunset. Many Muslims stay up late into the night and may choose to rest during fasting hours. Ramadan… Continue reading Pregnant and fasting during Ramadan? 6 tips to eat well

Parenting · Pregnancy

Is there a right time to have a baby?

Has your mom told you she’s ready for grandkids? Grandma says you need to start having babies before you’re too old?  Is your partner either super interested or unimpressed with the whole idea? Is it too early or late to get pregnant? Irida, a current nursing student walks us through the meaning of “the right… Continue reading Is there a right time to have a baby?

Nutrition · Pregnancy

Vegetarian & pregnant? Tips to meet your protein needs

You can easily get all your protein needs when you are vegetarian – you just need to pay attention to where your protein sources are coming from so that you get all the essential building blocks. To help with the growth and development of your baby, protein needs increase in the second half of pregnancy… Continue reading Vegetarian & pregnant? Tips to meet your protein needs