Erika Heynatz shares her pregnancy health secrets

Erika Heynatz is the picture of glowing good health. So it’s no surprise that during her first pregnancy, the Home and Away star and Metamucil ambassador has made her health and wellbeing a priority. Not that it hasn’t been an adjustment. Usually a lover of high-intensity workouts, Heynatz, 39, has learned to love gentler forms of exercise. And then there's the cravings. The first to admit she’s “eating for Australia”, Heynatz says it’s all about “fuelling your body” with the right foods. Now in her third trimester, she chats to Yahoo7 Health about how she’s looking after herself as she approaches the finish line.

You’ve always been fit and healthy – how has your diet changed during your pregnancy?
I’ve always tried to eat a health balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. When you’re pregnant your digestive system slows down and my obstetrician has said ‘you are going to need to introduce more fibre into your diet.’ The fibre is really good for me because the more fibre I have in my diet, the more satiated I am.

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I laugh when people say it’s so easy to eat for two because I feel like I’m eating for Australia! I’m so hungry all the time. I’ve always had smoothies and fresh juices but by adding a bit of fibre into your diet, you do feel full so you’re less likely to binge on crap. The diet that I have now is what I will try and keep on with. Although I may introduce some champagne let’s be real.

Have you had many cravings?
I’ve always had the same cravings – it’s more about how regularly I shake hands with the fridge door these days. I’ll eat a lot more chilli. I have always eaten a lot of pickles but now I buy them by a larger jar and I tend to drink half the brine - That could be my Nordic heritage sneaking through. And Icy Poles, I could eat them all day. Basically, anything cold, crunchy, spicy or sour.

What foods would we always find in your fridge?
One shelf is always devoted to kale, spinach, beetroot, ginger – I start the day with some vegie juice with Metamucil. Lunch-wise is pretty much clean protein. I stick with organic meats, lamb, organic chicken, salmon and a good dory during the week. It’s always stocked with natural probiotics such as yoghurt. Apple is the other thing I crave. I eat about 10 apples per day. There are always lots of herbs in my fridge, dark chocolate and lots of pre-natal vitamins, which are essential.

How do you treat yourself?
I’ve been enjoying a mocktail with ginger beer, fresh mint, fresh cucumber and ice, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out. It’s not quite beer but, you know.

What are you doing for exercise?
I’ve always been super active and have always favoured dynamic exercise, like plyometrics and sprint training. It was quite an adjustment for me, choosing things that were gentler. I’ve developed a love of Pilates and pre-natal yoga. It’s nice because it puts you into a community of women, and cheering you along.

That being said, I do sneak in a few little stair runs to keep the heart rate up. I normally run quite a lot, so that has stopped now. Spin is great because it’s low impact on your joints because the further you get in pregnancy; the relaxants start to loosen all of your joints.

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What are your pregnancy survival items?
Essential oils. I’ll put lavender essential oil on my pressure points to calm at the end of the day and peppermint oil is a great way to keep you really alert if you’re feeling exhausted.
I’m a big fan of using an organic tan to make you feel good, feel confident and massage is important to help you feel relaxed. I’ve got a couple of staple items in the wardrobe, like a great wool crepe dress, which is super-stretchy so when everything else doesn’t zip up, that’s the go-to!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given during your pregnancy?
So much advice! I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by the amount of beautiful and supportive messages. Just to really enjoy and connect with the time because it’s really precious. I feel incredibly lucky to be having this experience and I guess really cherish the sensation of having this beautiful little life in me is just really wonderful

Is there anything about pregnancy you wish people would stop telling you?
A lot of people say you’re life will never be the same. And I just keep thinking, great! I don’t want life to be the same. I’ve been with my partner for over 10 years and we’ve had the most excellent marriage and I think what could possible make it better? If it’s possible for me to love anyone more that I love my husband, then bring it on. Bring on the change.

What are your resolutions for 2016?
Probably the most important one for me is to master the art of juggling. I’m going to be a mum with a new born and I’m going to be touring the country with a musical so I want to be able to do it successfully and happily. I would just love for this transition to be a joyful one, so if I could somehow just get that skill of being able to throw all of the balls in the air and get them going at the same time, that would be great. If not, I want my money back!

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