Week 8: Your baby’s kidneys are forming

Blood is circulating throughout your baby's body and the heart is beating strongly. In fact, your baby’s heart has separated into two chambers (it will separate into four later on) and is beating twice as fast as your own at 150 beats per minute. Your baby’s kidneys are forming and, coincidentally, your baby is now the size of a kidney bean.

Essential Nutrients this Week: Potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Folate, Choline, Vitamin B12, Magnesium, Phosphorus

Food of the Week: Bananas

Bananas are a great source of energy and an easy and nutritious snack any time of day. Enjoy sliced banana on a piece of your favourite wheat free toast drizzled with honey. Add to a smoothie (our Omega-3 Smoothie is delicious), bake with them (try these Banana, Chia & Walnut Muffins), turn them into popsicles, or enjoy them atop your favourite sugar-free pancakes.

Recipes of the Week

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Garlic

A member of the cruciferous vegetable family along with kale, cauliflower and broccoli, Brussels sprouts are full of vitamins K, C and A as well as loads of essential minerals. This recipe can be enjoyed for breakfast beside an egg or as a tasty side dish at dinner time.

Strawberry Salad with Haloumi

This colourful salad brings together six simple ingredients into a nourishing bowl of deliciousness. Strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and manganese and also contain decent amounts of folate (vitamin B9) and potassium. Strawberries are very rich in antioxidants and plant compounds, which help control blood sugar levels (which is important during pregnancy).

Healthy Banana Bread

Store-bought banana breads are often overloaded with processed flours, sugars and unhealthy fats. This far healthier version contains wholegrain spelt flour, a reduced amount of unprocessed sugar, coconut oil and chia seeds. You can feel good about sharing this banana bread with your baby.

Healthful Tips

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

The Benefits Of Soaking Grains, Legumes, Nuts And Seeds And A How To Guide — a breakdown of how and why soaking and activating grains, legumes, nuts and seeds aids nutrient absorption and is important during pregnancy

Easy Pantry Swaps — a downloadable guideline for swapping in healthier alternatives