“Morning sickness” is a bit of a misnomer, as this queasy feeling can (and does) strike at any time of the day during pregnancy.
100 things to eat when you have morning sickness
Many mums-to-be experience morning sickness throughout the day, at different times and for different reasons. The meat aisle in the supermarket might set you off one day, and the next morning brushing your teeth might make you gag. It might comfort you to know that morning sickness generally eases off in the second trimester (around weeks 14-16 of your pregnancy), and your appetite should return.
The unpredictability of morning sickness can cause many a pregnant mum to feel like she can’t trust any foods to stay where they belong after she eats them. So if you’re suffering from morning sickness, what can (and should) you eat? Here are some ideas of some stomach-friendly foods to try when morning sickness rears its ugly head, all recommended by mums who’ve been there. One or two of these tried-and-true suggestions (like pizza!) may surprise you, but hopefully you’ll feel like you have options.
| Applesauce | Chicken soup | Iced green tea | Porridge |
| Almond butter | Cornflakes | Iced water with lemon slices | Potato chips |
| Almonds | Cottage cheese | Jelly | Potatoes (boiled, mashed, baked) |
| Anise tea | Crackers | Lemon drops | Pretzels |
| Apple cider vinegar | Cucumber slices | Lemon sorbet | Pumpkin soup |
| Apple juice | Custard | Lemon wedges (for sucking on, sniffing) | Quinoa |
| Apple slices | Digestive biscuits | Lemonade | Raisins |
| Avocado | Dried apricots | Lettuce | Raspberries |
| Bagels | Dried mango | Lollipops | Raspberry leaf tea |
| Baked tofu | Dry breakfast cereal | Macaroni cheese | Rice cakes |
| Bananas | Egg fried rice | Mandarins | Rice pudding |
| Barley sugar candies | Eggs (hard-boiled or scrambled) | Milk | Risotto |
| Beans on toast | Fennel seeds (to chew) | Milk toast | Rockmelon |
| Blueberries | Frozen juice iceblocks | Minted peas | Smoothies |
| Bread sticks | Fruit popsicles | Mints | Soda water |
| Brioche | Gelato | Oatmeal biscuits | Sour lollies |
| Candied ginger | Ginger beer or ginger ale | Oranges | Sports drinks |
| Cashew butter | Ginger tea | Peppermint tea | Strawberries |
| Celery with hummus dip | Gingerbread | Plain boiled rice | Sugar snap peas |
| Cereal | Gingernut biscuits | Plain chicken breast | Tinned fruit salad |
| Cheese pizza | Grapefruit | Plain pasta | Tinned peaches |
| Cheese on crackers | Grapes | Plain rice crackers | Vitamin B6 |
| Chewing gum | Grated ginger root | Plain toast | Warm milk |
| Chicken broth | Ice chips | Plain yoghurt | Water |
| Chicken nuggets | Ice cream | Popcorn | Watermelon |
It’s important to remember that your midwife or lead maternity caregiver (LMC) are your best first source of information, and if you find your morning sickness is severe or it is affecting your ability to function, please contact your LMC or doctor straightaway.
For useful maternity aids including morning sickness remedies, check out Breastmates helpful Pregnancy Aids.
This gorgeous image courtesy of Shannon McIntyre of Little Life Studio. Based in Auckland, Little Life Studio specialises in maternity and newborn portraiture. Shannon’s style of photography is very organic and relaxed, which strong emphasis on natural connection and soft, neutral colours. For more information see www.littlelifestudio.co.nz
