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
Category: Pregnancy
Pregnancy and COVID-19
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a respiratory infection; an infection that mainly affects your lungs. Those who have COVID-19 can have mild or severe symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle aches, tiredness or difficulty breathing. Research is underway, but at present there is no evidence that pregnant individuals are at higher risk of severe… Continue reading Pregnancy and COVID-19
New to Canada & having a baby? Support is available
Imagine moving to a new country, not speaking the language, not having family support, and having a new baby? This is what many new Canadian families are experiencing in Toronto. Every day we have new, young families moving to our city who are unfamiliar with the land, language, and resources available to them. Did you… Continue reading New to Canada & having a baby? Support is available
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)
Two things parents need to quit smoking
When I used to smoke, I felt ashamed. As a nurse, I knew better. My HBHC clients know it too. They agree when I say, "stopping smoking is the single best thing we can do for our health and our children's health." The challenge is to put our knowledge into action. Vaping is sometimes marketed… Continue reading Two things parents need to quit smoking
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
How to search online for health information
How often do you search online for questions about your health? Have you ever wondered: Is bleach safe to use while I'm pregnant? Can hot yoga affect my fertility? Am I going into labour? It is easy to find answers to questions online, but is it information you can trust? Learning how to find reliable… Continue reading How to search online for health information
Is eating fish during pregnancy safe?
This is a question I get asked by almost every client I see. The answer is yes but you need to know which fish are safe and which ones to have less of or avoid during pregnancy. What you need to know about fish: Fish are important foods to eat because they provide you and… Continue reading Is eating fish during pregnancy safe?
Coping with stress and anxiety during & after pregnancy
Some stress and anxiety is common during pregnancy. When either become more severe and start to affect your thoughts, feelings and behaviour, it's important to seek help. The challenges or changes during and after pregnancy can increase the risk of stress and anxiety. 1 in 5 mothers experience anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum.… Continue reading Coping with stress and anxiety during & after pregnancy
How to manage back pain in pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of many physical changes to your body. Knowing what to expect and how to cope can help you have a healthy and comfortable pregnancy. One common complaint during pregnancy is backaches and pains. Many people in my prenatal program often complain of this especially as they get further along in their… Continue reading How to manage back pain in pregnancy
