Pregnancy makes your life full of cravings, especially for those yummy food items. However, this is also the time when you need to choose your food wisely and opt for items that make both your tummy and your child happy. You need to keep a check on the nutrition you are providing to your body for the proper and healthy development of your child.
You should know what your body needs more of and what it needs less of during this time. So, here is a list of the best food items for pregnant women.
1. Eggs
Eggs are a great source of all the nutrients needed by a pregnant woman from protein to choline. A large egg containing about 80 calories, high-quality protein, roughly 147 milligrams (mg)Trusted Source of choline, fat, and many vitamins and minerals is great for the baby’s brain development and also helps in preventing the development of abnormalities of the brain and spine in the child. If you are not able to consume eggs as such you can also mix them up with different things and consume them according to your taste.
2. Sweet potatoes
Your baby is in need of vitamin A basically for healthy bones, lungs, eyes, skin, and overall body development and sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of fiber and also make you feel full longer and also improve digestive health.
3. Lean meat
Your body is in desperate need of amino acids provided by protein that form the building blocks of your child’s body and lean beef, pork, and chicken are a great source of them. This meat can be a cover for the iron deficiency that you may face during the early and mid-pregnancy phases. Well, you can skip deli meats and hot dogs unless they are heated until steaming hot as these food items can increase the risk of infection from bacteria and parasites.
4. Dried fruits
Dry fruits with no added sugar are the best for pregnant women. One small piece of dried fruit contains the same amount of nutrients as fresh fruit and can actually provide the recommended intake of many vitamins and minerals. What you should avoid is candied forms of dried fruits containing extra sugar and overeating of these tiny drops from heaven.
5. Avocado
This unusual fruit high in monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamin K, antioxidants, folate, potassium, copper, vitamin E, and vitamin C is great for building your baby’s skin and brain. It can also help in easing problems of morning sickness, constipation, and nausea in pregnant women.
6. Green leafy vegetables
Green veggies like spinach, kale, and broccoli are packed with nutrients including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, iron, folate, antioxidants, and potassium. They are really good at decreasing the risk of low birth weight for your child. If you don’t love eating these veggies you can just toss them into your food or make some smoothies for yourself.
Disclaimer: If you have any specific food allergies its best to stay away from those items. Moreover, this article is solely meant for information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Remember, when it comes to the human body, there’s no one size fits all approach. Hence, understand your body and its requirements and eat accordingly.