Can You Eat Chick-Fil-A While Pregnant? (Best Options)

Alright moms, you know deep down that waffle fries and fried chicken aren’t the most nutritious options when preggers. But we get it, Chick-fil-A cravings happen! The grilled chicken items paired with a salad or fruit cup are your best bets there. Keep treats like fries occasional. Prioritize the greener, leaner choices on the menu for you and baby’s wellbeing. You can still enjoy CFA in moderation.

Pros:

• Satisfies food cravings and comforts pregnancy symptoms like nausea
• Provides protein, calories, and nutrients needed for baby’s growth
• Grilled chicken and some sides are healthy options
• Occasional indulgence is okay and won’t harm baby
• Can be modified to a balanced meal by swapping sides, sauces, dressings
• Some lighter menu items like salads, yogurt, fruit

Cons:

• Fried chicken and sauces are high in fat, calories and sodium
• Sugary lemonade and milkshakes have excess added sugar
• Eating it too often can lead to excess weight gain and other risks
• Processed ingredients like preservatives are not optimal in pregnancy
• Skipping healthier food groups like vegetables when eating mostly fast food
• Potential heartburn, indigestion, or nausea after eating greasy foods

Is It Safe to Eat Fast Food While Pregnant?

The short answer is yes, you can absolutely eat fast food sometimes when you’re pregnant. You don’t have to completely cut out your favorite guilty pleasures for 9 months! 🙅‍♀️🍗🌭

The key is moderation. Health organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) say it’s fine to occasionally eat well-known fast food chains like Chick-fil-A during pregnancy. But you’ll want to focus on an overall balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.

Eating fast food every single day is not recommended in pregnancy. The high amounts of fat, salt, sugar and preservatives may increase risks like excess weight gain, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure. But an occasional fast food meal here and there is perfectly fine! 👍

Here is a list of the best things to order at Chick-fil-A during pregnancy:

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich or Nuggets – Go for grilled instead of fried to limit fat and calories. Ask for one slice of cheese.
• Chicken Noodle Soup – The small or medium provides hydration and nutrients without too many calories.
• Fruit Cup – Fresh fruit gives you vitamins, fiber and water – perfect for pregnancy nutrition.
• Chicken Salad – Load up on lean protein, fiber and nutrients but go easy on dressing.
• Yogurt Parfait – Greek yogurt plus berries and granola provides protein, calcium and fiber.
• Arnold Palmer Iced Tea – The half lemonade, half iced tea combo satisfies your thirst without as much sugar as full lemonade.
• Cobb Salad – Greens, eggs, avocado and vinaigrette make for a balanced pregnancy meal.
• Roasted Nut Blend – Nuts give healthy fats, protein and minerals like iron, crucial for baby’s growth.
• Oatmeal – Go for the whole grain oatmeal topped with fruit for extra fiber to keep you full.
• Egg White Grill – With egg whites, cheese, veggies and whole wheat bread, this sandwich offers nutrition without processed meats.

What Should I Avoid Eating at Chick-Fil-A While Pregnant?

While most items on the Chick-fil-A menu are okay in moderation, there are a few things you may want to avoid or limit during pregnancy:

• Fried chicken sandwiches and nuggets: The breading and frying adds a lot of extra calories, fat, and sodium. Go for grilled chicken options instead.
• Sugary drinks: Chick-fil-A’s sweet tea, lemonade, and milkshakes pack a ton of added sugar. Stick to water, milk, or unsweetened drinks.
• Heavy sauces and dressings: Options like chimichurri ranch and zesty buffalo sauce are high in fat and sodium. Get sauces and dressings on the side to control how much you use.
• Processed meats: Bacon, sausage, and ham in breakfast sandwiches may contain added nitrates and nitrites. Opt for scrambled egg sandwiches or yogurt parfaits instead.

Overall it’s fine to have these items occasionally, but try not to overdo it. Focus on lighter choices from the menu instead.

Healthy Chick-Fil-A Options for Pregnant Women

Luckily, Chick-fil-A has expanded their menu over the years to add some nutritious alternatives. Here are some of my go-to lighter options when I’m trying to watch what I eat:

• Grilled chicken sandwich or nuggets
• Chicken soup or side salad with light dressing
• Yogurt parfait
• Fruit cup
• Roasted nut blend
• Whole grain oatmeal
• Egg white grill breakfast sandwich

I also recommend getting a fried sandwich or nuggets and removing the skin to cut down on fat and calories. If opting for a combo, choose a healthier side like fruit, yogurt, or a salad over fries. And always get sauces and dressings on the side in little portions.

With a few simple swaps, you can satisfy your Chick-fil-A obsession without going overboard on fat, sugar and salt! 😋👍

Tips for Indulging Your Chick-Fil-A Cravings During Pregnancy

Okay, let’s be real – sometimes you just NEED that spicy deluxe sandwich with a large fry and lemonade when pregnant! 😜🍋 Here are my tips for enjoying Chick-fil-A in moderation:

• Watch portions: Get the sandwich and skip the combo or split the fries with someone. Get a kids meal if the adult portion is too much food.
• Balance it out: If having a heavier Chick-fil-A meal, opt for lighter choices like salads, smoothies and lean protein the rest of the day.
• Split it up: Order what you’re craving but save some for another meal. Half now, half later prevents overdoing it.
• Substitute sides: Get a fruit cup, yogurt or salad instead of fries to lighten up your meal.
• Skip sugary drinks: Opt for water, unsweetened tea or a smoothie. Or do half sweet tea, half unsweet tea.

By carefully watching portions, making substitutions, and balancing out your choices, you can absolutely treat yourself to Chick-fil-A during pregnancy! Nothing wrong with the occasional splurge. 😊

Listening to Your Body and Moderation

More than anything, I encourage pregnant women to listen to their bodies when it comes to food cravings and indulgences. We all need treats sometimes!

If your body is really asking for Chick-fil-A, then trust those pregnancy cravings and enjoy it mindfully in moderation. Don’t feel guilty – just focus on getting back to nutritious choices at your next meal or snack.

On the flip side, if certain foods make you feel lousy, pay attention. For example, if greasy fast food gives you heartburn or makes you feel sluggish, your body may be urging you eat something else.

We all handle foods differently in pregnancy. Take it meal by meal and choose what best nourishes your body!

Talk to Your Doctor About Your Chick-Fil-A Habits

Of course, it’s always smart to discuss your diet with your ob/gyn during prenatal visits. Bring up how often you eat fast food or crave Chick-fil-A.

Based on your medical history and health status, your doctor may have specialized advice on how much fast food or Chick-fil-A is okay for YOU to eat. 👩‍⚕️🍗

For instance, they may urge more caution if you had gestational diabetes or high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy. Or suggest limiting sodium and grease if you’re retaining a lot of fluid.

Every pregnant woman is unique so chat with your doc about finding your optimal nutrition and indulgence balance!

Conclusion

The bottom line is that YES, you can safely eat Chick-fil-A in moderation during pregnancy. An occasional fast food meal is okay – just focus on healthier menu options in appropriate portions and balance it out with nutritious choices.

Listen to your pregnancy cravings but also your body’s signals on foods that don’t sit well. And check with your ob/gyn about diet advice specific to YOUR health status.

Take it meal by meal. If you really need that spicy chicken sandwich, go for it and enjoy every bite! 😋Just get back to your fruits, veggies, lean protein and whole grains at your next feeding. You got this mama!

Okay, time to satisfy my Chick-fil-A craving. Let me know if you have any other pregnancy nutrition questions! Wishing you a happy, healthy nine months. 🤰♥️

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