Chew on This: Nutrition Is Your Superpower (And Myri’s Plate Pal Has Your Back)
March is National Nutrition Month in the US—a reminder to think before you eat and fuel your body right!
Food does more than fill you up when you’re pregnant or running on fumes postpartum. It’s shaping your baby’s brain, building their immune system, and helping your body keep up with all the behind-the-scenes work—growing, healing, producing, repairing.
This is the part no one talks about enough: what you eat now can influence birth outcomes, your recovery, your energy, and even your mental health. And no, it doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect.
We're breaking it down—what matters on your plate during pregnancy and after birth, and why it's worth paying attention to.
Snap your meals with Myri’s Plate Pal to keep your nutrition on track!
Why Food Really Matters During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Eating during pregnancy isn’t just about satisfying cravings or avoiding heartburn. It’s one of the most powerful ways you can influence your baby’s lifelong health. Your nutrition literally becomes their building blocks—and the quality of what you eat programs aspects of your baby’s metabolism, brain development, immune system, and even their future risk of chronic disease.
And postpartum? Your body’s recovering from a major physiological event. It needs raw materials to repair tissue, regulate hormones, support mental health, and—if you’re breastfeeding—fuel milk production that’s tailored for your baby’s needs.
Here’s what to eat, and exactly why it matters:
Veggies: Fiber + Folate = Critical Development Support
Why it matters: Leafy greens, carrots, broccoli—all packed with folate, which supports neural tube development (that’s brain and spine), especially early in pregnancy. Folate also helps prevent anemia in moms.
Fiber supports digestion, reduces constipation (a common issue during pregnancy), and helps stabilize blood sugar—important for avoiding gestational diabetes.
Think of veggies as your frontline defense for developmental support and daily gut sanity.
Protein: The Building Blocks of Baby (and You)
Why it matters: Protein breaks down into amino acids, which build every cell in your baby’s body—from organs to skin to enzymes.
It’s also essential for placental development, which controls nutrient transfer to the baby.
In the third trimester especially, protein needs go up to support rapid growth and maternal tissue expansion (think: uterus, blood volume, and breast tissue).
You’re not just feeding yourself. You’re literally constructing a human being—and protein is the scaffolding.
Whole Grains: Steady Fuel for You, Steady Growth for Baby
Why it matters: Unlike refined carbs, whole grains break down slowly, giving you sustained energy and fewer sugar spikes. That’s key for avoiding gestational diabetes and mood swings.
They’re also rich in B vitamins, which support fetal brain development and help regulate your metabolism.
Slow-burn carbs = better blood sugar control and a more stable mood during a very hormone-heavy time.
Healthy Fats: Brain Food for Baby, Hormone Support for You
Why it matters: The third trimester is a critical time for your baby’s brain and nervous system development, and fats—especially omega-3s like DHA—are non-negotiable for that process.
Fats also help with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), stabilize hormones, and are key in supporting maternal mental health postpartum.
A baby's brain is ~60% fat—what you eat helps shape how that brain builds.
Fruits: Antioxidants, Fiber, and Controlled Sugar
Why it matters: Fruits like berries, oranges, and apples deliver antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C to support immune health, iron absorption, and skin integrity (hello, stretching belly).
Whole fruits also offer natural sugars packaged with fiber, which helps regulate how sugar enters your bloodstream—unlike juice, which can spike blood sugar quickly.
Fruits are nature’s multivitamin—skip the juice, eat the fiber.
Water: The Unsung Hero of Pregnancy and Recovery
Why it matters: Your blood volume increases by up to 50% during pregnancy. Water keeps your circulatory system running efficiently, supports amniotic fluid levels, and helps prevent headaches, swelling, and constipation.
Postpartum, hydration is essential for healing tissue, regulating temperature, and—if breastfeeding—keeping up milk supply.
Hydration is how nutrients move, waste clears, and healing happens.
Myri’s Plate Pal Is Your Food Fairy Godmother
Want to see it in action? and watch the magic happen. Try Plate Pal now.
Just snap a quick photo of your meal, and Plate Pal does the heavy lifting. Had a chicken quinoa bowl with roasted veggies? It’ll break it down for you—protein, carbs, vitamins, all of it.
Swapped kale for spinach? Added some extra rice? No problem. You can tweak it, and Plate Pal recalculates everything—from fiber to calories—without the drama. Then Maya, our AI assistant who somehow knows everything, steps in with gentle nudges: “You’re on point with the protein—let’s just add some greens tomorrow, cool?”
It’s always about having the right kind of support, right when you need it.
The Takeaway!
So, this March, let’s celebrate the superpower of food. Let’s kick GD to the curb, lower those risks, and raise a generation of healthy babies (and moms). Myri’s Plate Pal makes it happen—one bite at a time. See more ways we’ve got you covered at Myri app.
Go eat something good. You’ve got this.
Hugs,
Myri
