Eating with morning sickness

3 min read

Morning sickness affects most pregnant women, and it is not only in the morning. It is usually strongest in the first trimester. It is not your fault, and it is normal to eat a narrower range of foods for a while.

What often helps: small meals every two to three hours so your stomach is never empty, dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed, cold or room-temperature foods that smell less, ginger or peppermint tea, and sipping fluids between meals rather than with them.

Do not worry if you cannot eat a balanced diet right now. Eat what you can tolerate, and choose the safe foods you fancy. Taking your prenatal vitamin at night with a snack can be easier on the stomach. Ask your doctor about vitamin B6 before you try it.

Ask for help if you cannot keep any fluids down for a day, if you are losing weight or if you feel dizzy or very weak. Severe nausea and vomiting, called hyperemesis, is treatable, and you do not need to wait it out.