A pregnant woman’s diet is something that she needs to take seriously. One of the best things that a pregnant woman can do for herself and her unborn baby is to eat well. It takes time and dedication, but it will be worth it in the end when your little one has grown up and starts eating solid foods. In this article, we will discuss some food items that should be added and removed from a diet for pregnant women.
The importance of a healthy diet
Pregnancy is a time of tremendous change in the body, both above and below the belt. Your body has to work harder than ever before to make room for your new passenger; it needs way more nutrients, including protein, essential fatty acids, calcium, iron, and other important vitamins and minerals. For this reason, proper nutrition becomes increasingly important during pregnancy.
Foods that should be included:
Many of the foods on the list below are considered to be great sources of healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. They’re packed with vitamins and minerals that aid in a growing fetus as well as helping you stay energetic enough to keep up with your busy lifestyle as a new mom-to-be! These are:
1. Eggs
Eggs are an incredible source of protein, which is crucial for growing babies and help maintain muscle tone during pregnancy. Eggs also contain cholesterol, but the type of cholesterol found in eggs (known as HDL or “good” cholesterol) actually helps protect you against heart disease, so it’s actually a good idea to eat more eggs during pregnancy.
2. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a safe food to eat during pregnancy because it’s packed with fiber, protein, and other nutrients that are essential for pregnant women. You can enjoy oatmeal at any time of the day – breakfast, lunch, or dinner – and you can even mix in fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries to add a sweet crunch.
3. Salmon
Salmon contains essential fatty acids that help with the brain development of babies. Salmon is also an excellent source of protein and vitamin D; it has the added bonus of being low in mercury (which is why it’s important to always purchase wild-caught fish). Not only can you eat salmon for dinner, but you can also go the extra mile and make these delicious little Salmon Patties.
5. Spinach
Spinach is rich in iron, which is needed to produce hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body), as well as to help with creating DNA. It also contains high amounts of folic acid, which helps with nerve cell development during pregnancy.
6. Milk
You can drink up to three cups of milk a day during pregnancy, as it contains calcium and phosphorus, which help with the healthy development of teeth and bones. Milk also has Vitamin D, which reduces the risk of your baby developing diabetes later in life. However, it may not be realistic to drink 8 cups of milk a day, so what you can instead do is find supplements that boost your milk’s nutrients. One such product is Horlicks. Moms Horlicks 25 nutrients and vitamins, making it a good choice for pregnant women.
Foods that should be avoided during pregnancy:
The foods on this list should be avoided while pregnant because they can make you sick or harm your baby:
Unpasteurized cheese – During pregnancy, it’s incredibly important to avoid consuming unpasteurized foods. This includes yogurt, milk, feta cheese, soft cheeses (Brie, Camembert), Mexican style cheeses (queso Blanco fresco), Boursin, blue-veined cheese. The reason for this is that these types of cheese.
Unpasteurized milk and juices – Raw milk can contain E. coli, listeria, salmonella, campylobacter bacteria that can make you very sick during pregnancy. It’s also important to avoid unpasteurized fruit juices as it could result in a condition called “listeriosis,” which is caused by Listeria monocytogenes.
Unwashed fruits and vegetables – Unwashed, raw fruits and veggies may contain toxoplasmosis, which is caused by a parasite that can be especially toxic to the fetus. If you want to stay healthy during pregnancy, it’s important to always wash your produce before eating or cooking with it.
A pregnant woman’s diet is a lot more than just staying away from the foods you should avoid. Eating right for your pregnancy can be difficult and time-consuming, but it can also lead to healthier babies with better development and less chance of birth defects. Prenatal vitamins are crucial, as well as making sure to get enough protein and iron in order to keep up with the developing fetus. The key thing about eating correctly during pregnancy is that you need not deprive yourself of any foods; just make sure you’re getting all the healthy nutrients needed by your growing baby too!
