Letter from Anna Getty

Hello Everyone and welcome to week 3, Nutrition. Hopefully, you feel like you are walking away with some tidbits of valuable information. This week focuses on nutrition, an area which I feel is a cornerstone for a healthy pregnancy. This year my focus is to encourage all women who are thinking about getting pregnant, are pregnant or are new moms to focus on eating organic food. Babies are being born with hundreds of chemicals in their bodies according to studies done by The Environmental Working Group and by eating organic foods we can we avoid many pesticides form getting both into our systems and our children's. I have been working with the Organic Center for over six years and have learned about the scientific benefits of why organic food is better for our health and the health of the planet. I know the biggest issues for most is the cost of organic food but farmer's market's, coops and large chain's now doing private labeling (like O Organics with Safeway & Vons) have helped make the costs less prohibitive for everyone wanting to eat organically grown food. I gratefully thank the Organic Center for some of the information provided in this newsletter. In addition to organic food, eating a balanced wholesome diet (yes, enjoying a craving here and there) can help you enjoy your healthy pregnancy so much more.

Best,



Anna Getty
Founder, PAM

Two Criticial Nutrients that May Not Be in Your Prenatal Vitamin
By Dr. Alan Greene

Prenatal vitamins supply key supplements a pregnant woman needs, including folate, iron, iodine and other critical nutrients. But check the label for adequate supplies of these two additions.

1. Chromium - 30 micrograms/day
   Chromium works with insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Find chromium in brewer's yeast, onions, broccoli, turkey, tomatoes, Romaine lettuce, grape juice, ham, potatoes, green beans, beef, chicken, eggs, wheat germ, green peppers, apples, bananas and spinach.
   
   
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - 1.4 grams/day
   Omega-3 fatty acids are building blocks of the baby's developing retinas and brain. Find them in fish, flax seeds, walnuts, canola or soybean oil, and eggs and meat.
   
   

Click here to read more from Dr. Greene: Eating for Two - A Guide to Mother's Nutrition during Pregnancy

Good for all: O Organics' democratization of the organic category

With a number of recent reports showing that increased exposure to pesticides in the womb can lead to increased rates of obesity, autism and other developmental problems, moms are becoming increasingly aware of the quality of the food that they and their families eat before, during and after pregnancy. O Organics offers a complete lifestyle solution of over 300 of the highest quality 95%+ USDA-certified organic products in 50+ categories - making organics accessible to all through affordability, availability at mainstream grocery stores and products ranging from dairy to baby food, produce and main meal options. Good for all!

As mentioned at PAM we strongly believe in the benefits of a balanced diet of organic foods throughout your pregnancy. Please enjoy these "did you know" facts compiled by the reliable scientists at The Organic Center. Please log onto their website for more invaluable information.

Did You Know...

• Organic milk and meat enhances the nutritional quality of breast milk-up to 36% higher levels of the heart-healthy essential fatty acid CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), due to greater reliance on pasture and forage grasses in organic dairy and meat production? Source: Influence Of Organic Diet On The Amount Of Conjugated Linoleic Acids In Breast Milk Of Lactating Women In The Netherlands, L. Rist, et. al., British Journal of Nutrition, April 2007.
  
  
• The average child in America is exposed to 10 - 13 pesticides daily in their food, beverages and drinking water? Switching to an organic diet for just five days virtually eliminates any sign of exposure to organophosphate insecticides among school-age children. Source: Successes and Lost Opportunities to Reduce Children's Exposure to Pesticides Since the Mid-1990s, The Organic Center Critical Issue Report, August 2006.
  
  
• Exposure to pesticides in the environment and food during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, low-birth weight, neurological problems, and diabetes? Source: That First Step - Organic Food and a Healthier Future, The Organic Center Criitical Issue Report, March 2009.

Who's Going to Win this Week???

What can you win this week just for forwarding this newsletter to 5 or more friends? 1st 25 people only!

- A sampling of the brand's highest quality 95%+ USDA-certified organic products, the O Organics giveaway includes Mint Herbal Tea, 100% Pure Maple Syrup, Blackberry Preserves and Balsamic Vinegar. Enjoy!

Healthy Snacking for the Mommy-to-Be
By Anna Getty

During pregnancy our bodies require a whopping 60-75 grams of protein per day. Gosh, I have a challenging time getting in the 35 grams when I am not carrying a child. A great way to get protein everyday is via protein shakes. There are so many great protein powders on the market these days. When using soy be sure it's non-GMO (genetically modified) and organic of course. I love rice protein powder. This shake uses Spring's fresh strawberries but frozen are okay too. I like to freeze banana pieces to have on hand.

Strawberry Banana Protein Shake
1 ripe banana
4 strawberries
4-6 ice cubes (omit if berries and bananas are frozen)
10 oz. rice milk
2 dates (pitted)
2 tables spoons rice protein powder

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend. Add more milk for a thinner consistency.

BPA-Why You Should Care If Your Baby Is Exposed To It

Did you know that many baby bottles have toxins in them? BPA is a chemical building block that is mostly used to make polycarbonate plastic. Lightweight, tough and clear, polycarbonate has been the popular choice for baby bottles for the past three decades. A growing body of scientific research suggests that BPA may be leaching out of polycarbonate bottles and may act as an endocrine disruptor, mimicking natural human hormones which could lead to developmental and neurological problems in children. Due to consumer demand, major retailers have recently begun voluntarily removing polycarbonate from their shelves and replacing it with BPA-free brands like BornFree. For more on BPA and BornFree click here.

Fabulous Folate
By Tara DelloIacono Thies, RD and LUNA Nutrition Strategist

Folate is the "star" of the B vitamins!

Why?

Any vitamin carrying claims such as, "helps to reduce the risk of birth defects" and "may help prevent heart disease" is a star in my book.

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that wears many hats in the role of good health. It is important in the synthesis of DNA, our unique genetic map. Folate also works with vitamin B12, developing red blood cells to carry oxygen through the blood.

Folate and Mothers

Folate plays an important role for women-it's important in the healthy growth and development of the fetus. A deficiency in folate can lead to neural tube defects of the brain and spinal cord of the fetus.

In about the first three to four weeks of pregnancy, the tube that will encase the brain and spinal cord of the fetus closes. A neural tube defect occurs when the tube fails to close properly. Most women don't even know they are pregnant when this development takes place. This is why it is so important that all women in their reproductive years take in 400 micrograms of folic acid in the form of a supplement or in fortified foods.

Read full article...

Breastfeeding is Usually the Best for Babes® Choice

With advice and information coming at you at lightning speed, you may feel the "feeding issue" can wait until after birth. Here's a top tip: The best time to learn about breastfeeding is before the baby is born. Not sure about breastfeeding? It is understandable. Is it more nutritious than formula? Ask that question. Not sure about pumping at work? Take the time now to get answers. Separate fact from fiction in choosing what is best for you and your family. You can get your best game on to avoid the "booby traps," achieve your personal goal, and make breastfeeding work in your busy life. Now is the time to get inspired, prepared and empowered™! Best for Babes®

Check out these pages for more info:
www.bestforbabes.org/help-i-dont-want-to-breastfeed
www.bestforbabes.org/prepare-the-learning-curve-of-breastfeeding

PAM Mom's Green Essentials Giveaway

Winning is as EASY as signing up! When you sign up for the PAM Newsletter you are automatically entered to win one of our weekly Giveaways as well as the incredible Grand Prize worth over $1500! Each week one person from our newsletter list will win a gift from one of our sponsors, simply by being signed up to receive our newsletter.

This week someone will win a large selection of full-size LUNA nutrition bars in assorted flavors!

At the end of the month of May, we will draw one last name from our newsletter list, and that lucky person will win over $1500 in prizes:

and counting... Learn more

Nutrition and Wellness Week Sponsors