Week 11: This is the beginning of the fetal period

This week your baby is starting to grow muscles. The kidneys now also come into play as your baby begins to urinate. The urine collects in the amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the fetus which is responsible for the transfer of nutrients between you and your baby) and eventually moves to your kidneys for removal.

Essential Nutrients this Week: Iron, Folate, Niacin, Healthy fatty acids (omega 3 and 6), Fibre, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc

Food of the Week: Pumpkin Seeds

Eating a nutrient-dense diet throughout pregnancy is vital. In many of our weekly recipes we’ve suggested ways to increase the nutritional value of what you eat; adding seeds to your plate is one of the easiest ways you can achieve this. Seeds, such as pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds, are packed full of nutrients and add flavour and crunch to just about any dish.  

Recipes of the Week

Breakfast Greens

This recipe is jam packed with nutrients and flavour. It’s listed here as a breakfast dish, however it’s delicious and satiating any time of day.

Nourishing Veggie Bowl

With a little bit of planning, you can prepare a big batch of this nourishing pregnancy meal and enjoy it multiple times throughout the week. This is one our all time favourite recipes as it is bursting with flavour and goodness — every cell in your body and your baby’s will be buzzing with joy when you eat this.

Chocolate Seed Slice

You can feel good about snacking on this slice. It is a powerhouse of essential pregnancy nutrients and an excellent source of potassium, vitamin E, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, magnesium, zinc, folate, iron, vitamin B6, calcium and fibre.

Healthful Tips

How To Avoid Toxins And Have A Healthier Pregnancy — what toxins to avoid and why + 70 tips for reducing your exposure to toxins during pregnancy

Tips For Regulating Your Blood Sugar During Pregnancy — keeping your blood sugar levels stable is a key part of healthy eating during pregnancy

How To Manage Food Aversions And Cravings During Pregnancy — how to navigate food aversions and cravings in a healthy and mindful way

Relieving Nausea And Morning Sickness — 30+ top tips for relieving morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy

The Why And How Of Buying Organic Food When Pregnant — tips for minimising your exposure to toxins that may harm your health and your baby’s growth and development

Prenatal Vitamins Aren’t Created Equal — Are You Taking Quality Supplements? — a deep dive into why and how to choose quality supplements plus and how and when to take them for optimal effect