Why ‘Eat Whatever You Want’ Might Be the Worst Pregnancy Advice

Pregnancy advice often gets flattened into the same tired messages: take your prenatal, avoid the obvious no-go foods, and trust that your baby will get what it needs. But on a recent episode of The Dream Bigger Podcast, Siffat Haider and Jessie Inchauspé, better known as the Glucose Goddess, dig into why that mindset may miss the bigger picture.

Instead of treating pregnancy like a time to simply “eat whatever” and get through it, Inchauspé points out that what you eat may shape how your baby develops in the womb, from brain growth to metabolism. 

This conversation was packed with information, but a few key takeaways stand out most for anyone trying to make sense of pregnancy nutrition.

1. In the first trimester, focus on getting through it

Inchauspé says severe nausea made many of her usual healthy habits go “completely out the window,” and she mostly survived on pastries for months. Her main goal during that stretch was keeping blood sugar as steady as possible with small add-ons like almonds, ginger gummies, tea, and frequent eating.

2. Once nausea eases up, prioritize three key nutrients

From the second trimester on, she says three pillars matter most: choline, protein, and omega-3s. Inchauspé points out that these are the nutrients many pregnant women still are not getting enough of.

3. Don’t overlook choline.

She calls choline one of the biggest gaps in pregnancy nutrition conversations. Eggs were her go-to source, and she emphasized that many women are not hitting even the minimum recommended amount.

4. Protein matters more than many people realize.

Inchauspé explains that protein needs rise throughout pregnancy and again during breastfeeding. Her advice is to build go-to staples into your day so you are not constantly scrambling to catch up.

5. Omega-3s deserve a regular spot in the rotation

Fish like salmon, sardines, anchovies, herring, and mackerel were among Inchauspé’s recommended sources for DHA, an omega-3 fat tied to brain development.

6. Try to keep added sugar in check without aiming for perfection

Added sugar is different from whole fruit. Inchauspé stresses that pregnant women do not need to fear fruit, but should be more mindful of things like juice, pastries, and sweets.

7. Postpartum nutrition still counts

The conversation also touches on how pregnancy and breastfeeding can leave moms depleted, especially if they were not getting enough nutrients during pregnancy. She suggests focusing on these basics before birth may help put women in a better position afterward, too.

8. After miscarriage, nutrition is only part of the story

Inchauspé notes that folate and choline are associated with miscarriage risk, but she was also very clear that many losses are not preventable. In that part of the episode, the emphasis shifted toward grief, support, and the emotional reality of recovery.

Pregnancy may be temporary, but the impact of those nine months can last much longer. And while not everything is within your control, having the right information on what nutrients to get can help you feel a little more grounded in the process.

To hear all of Inchauspé’s insights on pregnancy nutrition, listen to The Dream Bigger Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

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