What sort of diet should a pregnant woman with arthritis eat?
Good nutrition is very important for your health and for your baby’s health. You should eat a balanced diet and practice good eating habits before, during, and after your pregnancy, especially if you are breast-feeding. A dietitian, nutritionist, or other health care worker can help you plan a balanced diet. Arthritis may cause eating problems, due to: • a reduced amount of saliva (as in Sjogren’s syndrome) • tooth problems • mouth sores • problems with food sticking in your esophagus • trouble opening your mouth due to jaw pain Also, joint pain may make it difficult to prepare meals, so you may be less likely to eat a balanced diet. If you’re taking prednisone, you may need a special diet to help avoid high blood sugar which may be caused by the medication. Discuss these problems with your doctor. Some possible problems and solutions associated with pregnancy and diet are discussed here. Problem 1. Weight gain or weight loss Gaining too much weight will put more stress on your joints.
