Got the noms? Eat the noms!
The minute that pregnancy test turns positive, it feels like the world turns into one giant, unsolicited advice booth. You’re suddenly surrounded by kale-smoothie influencers and "wellness" gurus telling you that every single calorie must be a "nutrient-dense building block" for your tiny human. And while, sure, we all want to grow healthy babies, there is a very specific type of exhaustion that comes with trying to be a nutritional saint while your body is literally being hijacked from the inside.
So, let's talk about the Great Cookie Debate. Or the pizza debate. Or the "I will cry if I don't get a salt-and-vinegar chip right now" debate.
Here is the truth that doesn't always make it into the glossy pregnancy manuals: Indulging in your favorite treats—in moderation, of course—isn't just a "cheat meal." It’s a mental health strategy. It is, quite literally, a gift to your nervous system.
When you take that first bite of a warm chocolate chip cookie or dive into a bowl of pasta, your brain does something magical. It releases endorphins. These are those lovely "feel-good" chemicals that act as natural stress-fighters. And let’s face it, pregnancy is a marathon of stressors. Between the hormonal mood swings, the aching lower back, and the anxiety of wondering if you’ve bought the right car seat, your brain is working overtime.
When Mama is happy, the environment in that "inner penthouse" is a whole lot calmer. High levels of chronic stress and cortisol aren't great for you or the baby. If a slice of your favorite cake acts as a pressure-release valve that helps you breathe a little easier and smile a little wider, then that cake is doing a job that spinach simply cannot do.
We spend so much time worrying about the "right" way to eat that we forget that joy is a nutrient, too. There is a profound psychological benefit to saying "yes" to yourself. For nine months (ish), so much of your life is about saying "no." No wine, no soft cheese, no sleeping on your back, no caffeine marathons (yes you CAN have some coffee!). Giving yourself the green light on a favorite treat restores a sense of agency. It says, I am still a person with tastes and cravings, not just an incubator.
And then, there’s the elephant in the room: the scale.
The fear of weight gain can turn every snack into a source of guilt. But here is the secret: you are currently performing the most intense physical feat a human can achieve. You are building a spine. You are knitting together a nervous system. You are doubling your blood volume. If you end up with a few extra pounds because you chose the real ice cream over the frozen yogurt, it is okay.
The weight-gain "rules" often feel like a looming deadline, but remember—you have a whole lifetime on the other side of this pregnancy to find your rhythm again. Postpartum-you will be a warrior. She will have the strength to tackle the gym, go for walks with the buggy (pram/stroller) or the meal prep when the time is right. But current-you is in the trenches. If you try to be perfect now, you’ll burn out before the baby even arrives.
So, consider this your permission slip. If you’ve been dreaming about that specific bakery muffin or a side of crispy fries, go get them (or in my case a Mc Donalds’ Chocolate Shake and a home made apple pie). Don’t eat the whole bakery (moderation is our friend, after all), but savour every single bite.
Lower your stress, boost those endorphins, and give yourself a break. A happy, relaxed mama is the best gift you can give that baby. So go ahead—take the treat. You’re doing a great job, and you’ve more than earned it.
