Got pregnancy salt cravings - eat a salad!

Sometimes pregnant women crave salty foods and this isn't all bad. During pregnancy your sodium requirements do increase somewhat, but that's not a good reason to go salt crazy. Too much sodium can cause pregnancy swelling and preeclampsia. Plus many of the foods that women crave with extra salt (like potato chips) have extra calories you don't need and lack the nutrients you do need to build a healthy baby.

What to do if you're having salty cravings? Have a salad! I know, it sounds odd, but research shows that dark leafy greens are actually a natural sodium source and can curb your salty cravings. Not to mention that a healthy salad with plenty of dark leafy greens and other healthy veggies, fruits, and/or lean meats will fill you up and offer plenty of other nutrients you need to build the best baby possible. Dark leafy greens include...

• Arugula
• Broccoli
• Collard Greens
• Dandelion Greens
• Kale
• Mustard Greens
• Romaine Lettuce
• Spinach
• Swiss Chard

The greens above aren't just salad greens either, you can add them to soups, casseroles, cook them as side dishes, add them to sandwiches, and more. See some excellent dark leafy green recipes.