8 Ways Meghan Markle's Diet and Exercise Plan Will Change During Pregnancy

October 17, 2018

Ever since Meghan Markle hit the world stage as Prince Harry's fiancée, people all over the globe have wanted to know every last detail about her, including what she eats and how she works out. Thankfully, being that the now-Duchess of Sussex ran her very own lifestyle site The Tig where she wrote about her favorite foods and activities, we know quite a bit about her diet and exercise routine.

As the Duchess prepares for the arrival of her first baby, royal watchers are wondering which of her lifestyle habits she'll adjust now that she's pregnant. Here, foods and workouts Meghan Markle reportedly loves—but may need to tweak as an expectant mom.

1. Beloved food: Sushi

Back when she was blogging on The Tig, Markle talked to EyeSwoon about her love of raw fish, citing it as a food that reminds her of her California roots.

Pregnancy safety verdict: Most experts recommend against eating raw fish, as it could contain small parasitic worms, such as anisakis, which can make you ill, notes the U.K.'s NHS. Of course this is something you want to be especially cautious with when you're expecting. So, chances are Markle will be skipping her spicy tuna rolls until she gives birth.

2. Beloved workout: Yoga

Markle told Canada's Best Health magazine, "Yoga is my thing. My mom is a yoga instructor, and I started doing mommy-and-me yoga with her when I was seven. I was very resistant as a kid, but she said, 'Flower, you will find your practice—just give it time.' In college, I started doing it more regularly." She also shared that she loves hot yoga "specifically."

Pregnancy safety verdict: Unfortunately, researchers discourage pregnant women from doing hot yoga, given risks of injury, dizziness, fainting, as well as neural tube defects in the baby associated with overheating. Thankfully, Markle can easily switch to prenatal yoga classes, which can help moms-to-be prepare for labor with breath work.

3. Beloved food: Grilled fish tacos

In the same interview, Markle shared that "grilled fish tacos" are one of the "things that make me think of home."

Pregnancy safety verdict: Cooked fish is a whole different story than raw. The FDA actually recommends pregnant women eat two to three servings of lower-mercury choices per week. A few examples that Markle could make work in fish tacos include pollock, tilapia, and flounder.

4. Beloved workout: Running

Markle shared with Shape that she uses running to maintain her mental, as well as physical, health. "I love running but I think you have to find a work out routine that really speaks to you beyond trying to get goals for your body," she shared. "For me, running, I need it as much for my head and to clear my head as for keeping in shape."

Pregnancy safety verdict: In general, if you were a runner before you got pregnant, experts are cool with you continuing your routine—unless you have a high-risk pregnancy. If the Duchess continues her running routine, she'll do well to be extra-conscious about hydrating, wearing loose fitting clothing, and when running on uneven surfaces, as pregnancy shifts your center of gravity.

5. Beloved food: Tiganello wine

Markle's blog The Tig was named for Tignanello, an Italian wine produced in Tuscany that she has professed her love for time and again.

Pregnancy safety verdict: Although any form of drinking throughout all trimesters of pregnancy is discouraged socially and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is mixed research. A recent study from Ireland showed that moms who drank moderately during the first trimester and beyond were no more likely to give birth to premature babies than were moms who didn't drink at all. Another study from the University of Copenhagen that reported that women who drank moderately actually had children with better mental health than did those who didn't drink at all.

That said, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says "fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is most likely to occur in babies born to women who drink heavily throughout pregnancy. But alcohol-related problems can occur with lesser amounts of alcohol use." Their bottom-line: "It is best not to drink at all while you are pregnant." Chances are, Markle will be forgoing the Tig for now.

6. Beloved workout: Pilates

According to an interview with E!, Markle is a fan of Pilates, and when she is in her hometown of L.A. to visit her mom and now grandma-to-be Doria Ragland, Markle goes to Pilates Platinum, which is owned by one her good friends, Heather Dorak.

Pregnancy safety verdict: Pilates can actually be a fantastic option for prenatal workout, as you're working on strengthening the muscles you need to be in tip-top shape for all nine months and postpartum phase, like your core. But experts warn it's still best to take a prenatal class or at least a class with a teacher who is familiar with instructing moms-to-be, as some modifications may be required.

7. Beloved food: Green juice

Markle has been outspoken time and again about her adoration of green juice, calling it part of her "food-as-medicine philosophy."

Pregnancy safety verdict: Unfortunately, Markle may need to forgo green juice—at least the kind purchased at a juice bar—until post-baby. The FDA says, "Juices that are fresh squeezed and sold by the glass, at some juice bars, for example, may not be pasteurized or otherwise treated to ensure their safety. Warning labels are not required on these products. Pregnant women and young children should avoid all unpasteurized juices."

8. Beloved food: Soft cheeses

When she was shooting Suits in Toronto, Markle would patronize a local cheese shop called Cheese Boutique. Co-owner Afrim Pristine told Reuters that he introduced the actress to a French butter, which she raved about on social media. Chances are, being the foodie that she is, she also enjoyed a wide range of fancy, potentially unpasteurized cheeses from the shop as well.

Pregnancy safety verdict: Soft cheeses like feta, brie, and Camembert are advised against during pregnancy by the FDA, as they may lead to food-borne illness. Until she welcomes her royal bundle of joy, Markle can enjoy hard cheeses—which are either made with pasteurized milk or cooked at high, bacteria-killing temperatures to better separate the curd from the whey—that are considered generally safe for pregnant women. Options include cheddar, gouda, manchego, parmesan, and provolone.