Recommended Food During the Pre-Natal Period
If you’re pregnant, you might find that you are craving all sorts of strange foods and that you want to eat a lot more than usual. It is true that you need to consume more calories per day while you’re pregnant, but you shouldn’t be eating just anything. Instead, focusing on consuming a healthy diet is critical if you want your unborn child to get the nutrients that he or she needs to develop. These are some of the foods that you may want to add to your diet.
Dark, Leafy Greens
First of all, you should know that dark, leafy greens are a great staple for any pregnant woman’s diet. A lot of people don’t understand the health benefits of collard greens
They are rich in antioxidants and can help with digestion, which can be a good thing, since many pregnant women experience digestion issues while they are pregnant. Dark, leafy greens like collards and spinach, as well as broccoli, also contain tons of fiber and vitamins C, K, and A.
Dairy Products
One thing that a lot of people do not realize is the fact that dairy products are actually packed with protein, which is very important when you’re pregnant. What you do probably already know, however, is the dairy is packed with calcium. This is important if you want your fetus to be able to grow to be healthy and strong.
Drinking milk daily can be a good idea when you’re pregnant, and you can opt for a low-fat or skim milk option if you’d like to avoid consuming too much fat. Many pregnant women find that Greek yogurt is an excellent snack when they’re pregnant, since it’s healthy and can provide you with tons of dairy. To make it a tastier choice that is packed with even more nutrients that you and your unborn child need, consider mixing in a handful of blueberries or your other favorite fruit. You can also stir in some granola or a few nuts for a pleasant crunch.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be a wonderful alternative to regular potatoes when you are pregnant. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene. Once consumed, beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A, which promotes growth and is essential for any pregnant woman. A baked sweet potato with a little bit of butter, brown sugar and cinnamon can be a tasty treat for any pregnant woman who is looking for something that tastes sweet but that will provide nutrients for the baby.
Legumes
Many people do not consume enough legumes in their day-to-day lives, but it’s something that you will want to eat regularly while you’re pregnant. You can choose from a host of beans and lentils and can prepare them in many ways; for example, you can use beans as a substitute for meat in many of your favorite meals, such as a tasty bean and cheese wrap, or you can prepare a bean-rich chili or soup. Either way, when you consume a lot of lentils, you are consuming a lot of protein and fiber. Legumes are also a good source of folate, which is critical when you are pregnant.
Eggs
Eggs are pretty much the perfect food to eat while you are pregnant. They are affordable, can be prepared in various ways depending on your preferences and are packed with things that are good for you and your baby. Eggs are a highly protein-rich food, and they’re packed with healthy fats and only 77 calories. They are also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. To gain even more health benefits, consider having an omelet that is packed with nutrient-rich vegetables for breakfast each morning.
Lean Protein
You can get a lot of your daily protein in eggs, but it’s important to consume other lean sources of protein as well while you’re pregnant. Filling up on lean cuts of steak and chicken can be a wonderful way to get in plenty of protein, which is good for the baby and can help with some of your pregnancy hunger. A diet that is rich in protein can also help you with your energy levels, which is a good thing when you’re pregnant, since you might be feeling a bit low on energy right now.
If you like it, you can also consume salmon as a source of lean protein while you’re pregnant. However, because of the risk of mercury, it is important to only consume salmon two to three times per week. Occasionally, it can be a nice change from other common sources of lean protein.
Prenatal Vitamins
Ensuring that you are consuming a healthy, balanced diet while you are pregnant is essential if you want to ensure that you are getting ample nutrients for your growing fetus. However, it is still a smart idea to take vitamin supplements. If you talk to your doctor, he or she can help recommend the best prenatal vitamins to take during your pregnancy.
You probably want to do everything that you can to ensure that you give birth to a healthy baby. For one thing, you should start by focusing on a healthy diet. Luckily, if you fill your diet with these pregnancy-friendly healthy foods, you can help ensure that you and your growing fetus are getting all of the nutrients that you need.
