According to recent research to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto this April, drinking four glasses of milk a day during pregnancy can lower the child’s risk of MS later in life by over fifty percent. Vitamin D, which is also found in salmon and fortified foods like cereal, is responsible. Milk is the easiest way to get the recommended amount of Vitamin D, making it an essential part of a pregnant woman’s diet. In fact, low birth weight has been linked to under consumption of milk during pregnancy. Do you drink enough?
Milk was one of my main cravings during pregnancy. I would sometimes drink between 32 and 48 ounces in a single day. Especially at night, a few hours after dinner, the craving would strike. I would run to the fridge, fill up a 16oz glass with milk, chug it, fill the glass again, and sip it slowly while watching TV. (Don’t worry; I have since put a stop to my dairy extremism.) I know that not every woman enjoys milk as much as I did during pregnancy, however, so here are some alternative ways to include it in your diet:
- *Eat cereal with milk. Choose a cereal that is fortified with vitamin D for added benefit.
- *When making hot chocolate, mix the powder with hot milk rather than boiling water.
- *Add a few tablespoons of chocolate or strawberry syrup to your glass for a sweet treat.
- *Add a few spoonfuls of honey to a mug of hot milk and stir. It reminds me of a Chai Tea Latte – it’s very good!
- *Prepare your oatmeal with milk instead of water.
- *Condensed tomato soup is creamier when it’s mixed with milk.
- *Enjoy a smoothie: mix frozen fruit of your choice with a cup of milk. It makes a great breakfast drink.