THE SIPPING SOLUTION: OUR SUPERSMOOTHIE RECIPE AND TOP DIGESTIVE AID FOR THE INTESTINAL UPSETS OF PREGNANCY
In our medical practice we select the sipping solution as our top home remedy to both provide good nourishment for baby and be easy on the queasy gut of mommy. Sipping on our supersmoothie throughout the day provides easy-in / easy-out "good gut" feelings. Blended food is more easily digested, and sipping throughout the day also helps insure you get enough fluids, since dehydration aggravates nausea. In formulating this recipe we made sure it contains most of the extra nutrients you need for you and your baby. Try sipping on our supersmoothie all day as your breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Then have a normal, healthy dinner. Here's why the sipping solution is such an intestinal-friendly way to eat at all stages of pregnancy:
Sipping throughout the day relieves reflux and heartburn. Once your growing baby starts pressing on your full tummy, heartburn or reflux often follows. Blended, liquefied food empties faster from the stomach so that you experience less heartburn than if you gorged on big meals. Because blended food enters the stomach slowly and exits quickly from the stomach, there is less leftover to reflux.
Sipping increases nutrient absorption. Nutrients in blended foods are often absorbed more efficiently.
Sipping eases constipation. The supersmoothie is a natural laxative. Your blender takes over much of the hard work of your upper intestines. The more pre-digestion that occurs at the top end, the less wear and tear and waste is leftover for the bottom end. Liquid food passes more quickly through the intestines. During pregnancy many mothers find smoothies more settling than solid foods. Also, the high-fiber supersmoothie is a natural laxative.
Sipping results in less mood swings. When pregnant mothers sip on the supersmoothie throughout the day their blood sugar and insulin levels are steadier, resulting in steadier moods.
Sipping results in less fatigue. A steady supply of nutrients gives mom a steady supply of energy.
DR. BILL AND MARTHA'S PREGNANCY SUPERSMOOTHIE
8 oz. green vegetable juice
8 oz. carrot juice
8 oz. pomegranate juice or grape juice
1-2 c. Greek-style, organic, plain yogurt
1 c. blueberries (fresh or frozen)
2 kiwis
1 banana
1 c. other fruit (strawberries, papaya, mango, pineapple, etc.)
3 oz. tofu
c. ground flaxseeds or 2 tbsp. flaxseed oil
c. wheat germ
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. blackstrap molasses
Mix all ingredients in a blender. Supersmoothies taste best when they are fresh and still have that bubbly milkshake consistency. Keep blender with unused smoothie in the fridge for later sipping, and blend just a bit to refresh. Or, put smoothie in a cool container to sip on at work.
Makes 8 cups.
Special additions (optional):
Figs for extra fiber and sweetness.
1-2 tbsp. peanut butter for extra energy and satiety
Organic milk or coconut milk instead of juice
Organic kale or spinach for an earthy taste and extra folic acid
Pomegranate (when in season): scoop out the seeds and flesh
1 tsp. spirulina for extra iron and B12
A multi-vitamin/multi-mineral protein powder (see AskDrSears.com/supplements)
Nutritional content: Depending on your special additions and the nutritional content of your multi-mineral/multi-vitamin/protein/omega-3 supplement, this recipe is a perfect balance of around 20-25 percent healthy fats, 25 percent protein, and 50-55 percent healthy carbs, which makes it the calorie equivalent of two meals and two snacks:
Calories: 1,000-1,400
Protein: 50-70 grams
Fat: 20-30 grams
Carbs: 120-150 grams
Fiber: 25-30 grams
Calcium: 800-1,000 mg.
Vitamin C: 200-300 mg.
Iron: 18-25 mg.
Folate: 200-300 mg.
B12: 2-3 mcg.
Antioxidants: at least 10,000 ORAC units (a measure of antioxidant levels) - double the minimum recommended level.
Dr. Bill and Martha Sears are the co-authors of over 40 books on parenting and health, including the bestselling "The Baby Book", "The Birth Book", and the upcoming "The Healthy Pregnancy Book", due out September 2013. With the experience of over 40 years in pediatric practice while raising 8 children, Dr. Bill and Martha stay busy as frequent guests on television and radio programs and speakers at conferences, as well as running their own parenting website, www.AskDrSears.com.