Kareena gives me nutritional tips, says Soha Ali Khan

One of the things that I’m going through, for example, is having a stiff neck on an almost daily basis”, says the would-be mother, Soha Ali Khan. However, according to the actor, the journey has become much easier because of her supportive husband-actor Kunal Kemmu. Excerpts from an interview:

Many change their diet even before the pregnancy is confirmed, to prepare their bodies to handle pregnancy. How was it for you?

I have always been a healthy eater. One thing that people say is to cut out the things that are bad for you. I was fortunate enough — I don’t smoke or drink, so I didn’t have to cut anything out. Of course, there is nutritional intake like iron and calcium —those become important. My doctor said, ‘Just be normal in the beginning, don’t eat too much, you’re not eating for two, even though people tell you that’.

Once the doctor confirmed that you were pregnant, what changes did your diet and exercise undergo?

Exercise, obviously, has to change. I used to go to the gym and lift heavy things, which I’m not allowed to do now. I’ve started yoga now. If you’re used to doing a particular workout, you can continue doing it. I would say — don’t embrace the whole workout at this point in life. Rather, walk and do yoga.

Many consciously make time for their hobbies, while pregnant, to maintain a positive frame of mind. What about you?

Sleeping. Is that a hobby (laughs)? I am really enjoying sleeping, and people say I won’t be doing a lot of that later, so I’m embracing it now. Sleeping and eating are really a lot of what I am doing. I have also been doing a lot of reading because I am a book worm.

Is anyone from your family giving you tips, especially new mum Kareena Kapoor Khan?

Yes, lots of tips, especially in terms of what I can add to my nutritional intake. I think people feel that because I’m petite, I must eat well. So she [Kareena] always says, ‘Don’t think about dieting now, it is not the time to think about that’.

How has Kunal been participating in this journey with you?

He has always been very supportive. Now, he is being extra kind and extra supportive. He is really good with physiological things and knowledge of the anatomy. I feel, sometimes, that it’s the everyday problems, like headaches or just feeling tired, that can be annoying to someone else. If the other person embraces it and says, ‘you must share these things with me because it’s normal’, you feel more comfortable.

You made a statement about each pregnancy being different. Can you elaborate?

Comparisons that are made to my mother or Kareena are understandable. But one must not be pressured to be like someone else. According to your doctor, you must do what is right for you. That might mean that you go out less, eat something different or put on twice as much weight. Your body would have to go through so much — you put on weight and even the texture of your skin will change. Stretch marks will happen. But there are things that you can do to alleviate it. And that’s why I would encourage all women, especially when they start their second trimester, to hydrate their skin with Bio Oil, because it really helps in reducing stretch marks.

The author tweets @iamsusanjose