Good nutrition fuels your body and mind. We are what we eat and at the end of the day, you don’t want to be a mommy who snacks on cookies and potato chips for lunch. Being well-fed while putting your child first can feel selfish to any parent. Adequate nutrition is critical in your ability to thrive, putting it first is an investment to your family.
Eating smart goes hand in hand with self-care. How so you might ask? Taking care of your body and mind with what you eat will have a huge impact on your health. If you’re relying on processed foods for energy, these contain little to no nutrients and are rich in salt and added fats that can cause you to feel lethargic and fatigued, the last thing you want is to be one tired momma running after a toddler!
We’ve listed some simple self-care eating habits for busy mommies, these smart nutrition strategies will do wonders for your body and mind all while taking care of a fussy toddler.
Forget 3 Meals a Day
It’s not just about what we eat, but when. Having a structured mealtime might stop you from feeding what your body needs. If you’re hungry while your baby sleeps, keep a meal aside to fit in with your child’s naps. Adapting to your baby’s unpredictable sleep cycle will help you stay well-fed. Some nutritional meals such as pre-made salads, chopped-up fruits, chicken and rice, or veggie quesadillas are a good source of protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats to keep your energy up.
Go Green
A very simple way to reset your digestion is by keeping vegetarian meal options once a day. If you’re not ready to commit to a fully vegetarian diet, keep one meal a day that’s full of organic vegetables and fruits. Make your dish as colorful as possible to get the most nutritional benefits. The more vibrant in color the fruit or vegetable is, the more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it contains, and the healthier it is. Having a whole-foods, plant-based diet will reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, improve metabolism and support healthy digestion.
Munch on Nuts and Seeds
If you’re a mom that’s always on the go, nuts and seeds are a quick and simple option to add to your daily eating habits. Flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds, as well as nuts such as pistachio, walnuts, almonds, and cashews, are high in protein, fiber, and heart-healthy lipids. You can even grind up your favorite nuts and add them to your protein shake for extra flavor and nutritional boost. Just make sure your nuts are unsalted and unoiled with an intake of 30 grams in a day for a healthy diet.
Foods for Better Sleep
Sleep is an essential component of self-care. It improves your mood, cognitive abilities, and cardiovascular health, among other things. Chances are you might not be getting a restful night’s sleep. Consider going for foods that are rich in tryptophan (the sleep-inducing hormone derived from melatonin) including potatoes, almonds, whole grain oats, bananas, and seeds. These foods can help you with a healthier sleep pattern for a restful night's sleep.
Well, moms, we hope these self-care eating habits encourage you to take a chance on nutritional steps to take care of your health. Who wouldn’t want to teach their kids healthy eating habits with the right food groups? Starting with your plate is the easiest way to include self-care into your daily routine.
