Healthy Eating for New Moms and Dads

Having a new baby in your life is a joyous experience. But, what most baby-care books don't tell you is that this time can also be nerve-wracking for new parents. Simple things like planning a meal can be impossible to accomplish during a day. After the birth of my second daughter, I found it so daunting to plan and prepare a healthy, balanced meal for my family with a newborn and toddler hanging-on to my every need. Many parents find it easier to have take-out as a way to ease this burden. Here are a few helpful tips I learned to make the transition back to your mealtime routine stress-free:

1. Plan Ahead: Before the baby arrives, try making a few healthy freezable meals. Take a weekend day and make items like chili with 100% ground turkey breast, beans and veggies. You can use this as a meal, a topper to a baked potato, or as a filling to your favorite Mexican dish. You could also host a night at a meal-preparation store and stock up on 6-12 meals in an evening. By having versatile meals available, you will be less likely to grab fast food or something less balanced.

2. Accept Help: When family or friends ask if you need help, say yes! A friend or family member could help with mealtime by bringing over a meal or by taking care of the baby while you cook dinner.

3. Once the Help Ends Look for Super Simple Meals: Even though you are sleep-deprived and stressed-out, create a meal plan once a week. Find recipes with less than 5 ingredients or ones that you can prepare in 20 minutes or less. Try grilled salmon with grilled tomatoes, whole grain rice and a bagged salad as a quick meal. Also, use opportunities like baby's afternoon nap to make dinner rather than the end of the day, which is usually the baby's cranky time.

4. Healthy take-out: If you choose take-out, pick healthy options. Splitting a meal with your significant other is a great way to cut back on high calorie restaurant meals. Purchase ala carte items or light meals like a bowl of a vegetable-base soup with a small salad or half of a sandwich. When picking your entrée, stay away from fried foods, those in cream sauces, and from entrees that say "with the works!".
Before you know it, you will be back to your healthy routine and enjoying the blessings of a new baby stress-free!


Adapted from my article for www.superkidsnutrition.com