Pregnancy and Baby: Morning sickness

Pregnancy & Baby Index: Pregnancy - Morning Sickness: Morning sickness - Food guide

Morning sickness - Food guide

Here are some diet tips to remember, foods to try and others to avoid when you're suffering from morning sickness.

Some keys
What to remember

Keep some crackers or cereal by your bed and eat something 15-30 minutes before getting up

Don't go hungry - eat frequent small meals and snacks throughout the day

Don't overeat - keep your meals small

Drink fluids between meals rather than with your food (about an hour after eating)

Eat what appeals to you: your main goals right now are fluids and calories

What to avoid

Avoid fatty (especially fried) foods and spicy foods

Avoid cooking food with strong smells, and make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated so odors don't linger

Avoid strongly flavored or strong smelling foods (garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage)

Mealtime Suggestions

Breakfast
Dry toast
Soft bread
Oatmeal
Cereal (dry or with a little milk)
Snacks
Plain, dry crackers (Saltines, Ritz)
Graham crackers
Plain popcorn (no butter or salt)
Pretzels, corn and potato chips (salted, not spicy flavors)
Celery sticks, carrot sticks, apples
Raisins, prunes
Tart/sour pickles
Lemon drops (or sour fruit candies), peppermints, mint gum
Lunch & dinner
Soup or broth
Pasta
Rice (white or brown)
Unseasoned mashed potatoes (butter/milk only), plain baked potato
Beverages
Water
Fruit juices, gelatin desserts (Jell-O), frozen fruit juice bars (Popsicles)
Lemonade
Seltzer water, regular (non-diet) ginger ale
Decaffeinated/ herbal teas: (spearmint, peppermint, chamomile, raspberry) tea
Gingerroot tea

A few other notes:

While mint teas may be pleasant, watch your intake -- too much mint can create some temporary stomach troubles.
Very cold beverages can be soothing -- add a few ice cubes to your juice or water. You might also try sucking or munching on some ice.
To make your own gingerroot tea, grate 1-2 teaspoons of fresh ginger root into a cup of hot water, simmer for a few minutes, then add honey, sugar and/or and lemon to taste.