Morning sickness is one of the peskiest pregnancy symptoms and one of the earliest to show up. Really tough morning sickness days always worried me because I was afraid that I wasn’t getting sufficient nutrition while pregnant. This morning sickness smoothie eased my nausea and kept me hydrated even on my queasiest days.
(The contents of this post do not constitute medical advice. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read our disclaimer.)
What Causes Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness refers to the nausea and vomiting that many experience while pregnant. It usually starts around the sixth week of pregnancy and resolves between weeks 12 and 16. However, some will experience morning sickness throughout their entire pregnancy or not at all.
The beginning of morning sickness coincides with big hormonal changes, like the increase of hCG. And rising levels of estrogen and progesterone slow down digestion by relaxing the digestive tract muscles.
Related: 7 Natural Morning Sickness Remedies to Help Pregnancy Nausea
One of the digestive tracts muscles that becomes relaxed is the lower esophageal sphincter. Its normal job is to open and close, allowing food to pass through and preventing acid from moving back up your throat.
But when the lower esophageal sphincter is relaxed, it doesn’t close properly. This can cause acid reflux and heartburn, as well as nausea.
Fortunately, this morning sickness smoothie is just one of the many natural remedies for pregnancy nausea and vomiting.
Morning Sickness Smoothie Ingredients
Our morning sickness smoothie is chock-full of ingredients that fight nausea, keep you hydrated, and nourish your pregnancy.
Coconut Water
Coconut water has multiple benefits when it comes to morning sickness. First, coconut water has anti-inflammatory properties. Since an inflamed stomach lining can cause an upset tummy, coconut water may be able to soothe it.
Coconut water also contains potassium and sodium, which can help you to quickly rehydrate after vomiting. Studies have shown that coconut water is just as hydrating as sports drinks, but it doesn’t contain the added sugar that you may be trying to avoid during pregnancy.
Pineapple
Pineapple was already one of my favorite smoothie ingredients, but its effectiveness against nausea moved it to the top of my list during pregnancy!
Pineapple contains bromelain, which is a mixture of enzymes that breaks down proteins. Since the increase in progesterone during early pregnancy slows digestion down, eating pineapple may help combat nausea by breaking down foods you’re having trouble digesting.
Plus, pineapple itself is easily digestible, so it won’t add to any tummy problems you’re already having.
Ginger
Ginger is well-known for its nausea-reducing effects. Compounds in ginger speed up the emptying of your stomach and improve digestive responsiveness. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory.
For this smoothie, I usually peel and grate the ginger. If you have a juicer, you can also juice a half-inch stem of ginger and add it to your smoothie. I’m a big fan of Hamilton Beach’s big mouth juicer because it has a large feed, is easy to clean, and doesn’t take up too much space on the counter.
Kale
Kale isn’t necessarily a nausea-fighting food, but I like to include it in all of my pregnancy smoothies because it contains so many nutrients necessary to grow a baby.
Kale contains:
- fiber (great for that slow digestion)
- folate
- calcium
- vitamins A, C, and K
To prep my kale for smoothies, I remove the stems and steam the leaves to make them easier to digest. Then, I dry the kale off and freeze it so I don’t have to worry about it going bad before I use it.
Collagen Powder
Collagen powder is another must-have for every pregnancy smoothie I make. Collagen can be helpful for both you and your baby during pregnancy. It supports skin elasticity and joint health, both of which your body will need as your baby grows. And collagen powder is rich in protein (as well as other vitamins and minerals), which you need more of during pregnancy.
Since collagen is important to the formation of skin, bones, and cartilage, some consider it beneficial in your baby’s development. It may also be beneficial in the development of a healthy immune system.
My birth center recommended this high-quality collagen powder, and I add it to all of my pregnancy smoothies.
Not all maternal healthcare providers recommend taking collagen during pregnancy, so check with yours just like you would for any supplement or medication.
Morning Sickness Smoothie Recipe
Makes 1 serving
Equipment
blender, like the NutriBullet
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 scoop collagen powder
- ½ cup pineapple
- ½ inch ginger, peeled and grated
- ¼ cup kale (optional)
Method
- Begin by blending the coconut water and collagen powder together until the collagen powder is fully dissolved.
- Add the remaining ingredients and blend until they reach smoothie consistency. If you would like the smoothie to be thinner, add more coconut water. If you would like it to be thicker, add more pineapple.
- Enjoy!
If you make this smoothie, make sure to share it and tag @mamaembodied on Instagram! I would love to see your version of our morning sickness smoothie.
2 Comments