What Foods to Eat When Pregnant

What to eat during pregnancy: Pregnant moms always wonder that what foods to eat. During pregnancy it is important to stick to a well-balanced diet that comes from all the food groups – fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat and fish (properly cooked). This is beneficial for getting the right amount of protein, vitamins and energy.

Foods that can help you to meet the nutrient requirement during your pregnancy are:

Avocados

Avocados are nutritious fruits that are helpful for meeting the dietary needs during pregnancy.  With a single cup of avocado you get approximately 240 calories. It is a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin E, vitamin K, folate and fibre.

• Being a rich source of folic acid, they help in the neural and cognitive development of your baby.
• Vitamin C present in the avocado helps in strengthening the immune system, thus helping to deal with injuries and wounds. 
• Vitamin K facilitates blood flow and safeguards your baby from developing blood disorders.
• Folates are helpful for preventing birth defects. They are one of the best nutrient foods for pregnant women. 
• Avocados also have fibres that help in appropriate absorption of other nutrients as well.

Eggs

• As the pregnancy progresses, it becomes essential to increase the intake of proteins. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and the best part is that they are easily available. They also deliver essential amino acids and Omega-3 fatty acids.
• Experts suggest that a pregnant woman must include two eggs in her daily diet. If you are including eggs in your diet then you are aiding the overall development of your baby, especially of the brain and retina.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a great source of healthy fats required during pregnancy. Since it contains fatty acids, it is beneficial for the neural development of the baby. It may be surprising to know but olive oil can also help in keeping a check on excessive weight during the entire course of pregnancy.
Other sources of healthy fats include nuts, coconut oil and organic butter.

Filtered Water

Drink a lot of water during pregnancy. Water not only helps you to stay hydrated, it also flushes out toxins and other impurities from your body.

Consume food rich in Iron

Iron is a must for a woman’s body during pregnancy. It is vital for producing all the blood needed to supply nutrients to the placenta. Try to include green vegetables in your pregnancy diet. Veggies such as broccoli and spinach are excellent sources of iron. Muesli and wholemeal bread are the other iron rich foods.

Iron is best absorbed by the body when it is taken with vitamin C (can be taken in the form of juice of citrus fruits).

Other important Foods during Pregnancy

Orange juice, lentils, cereals, milk, cottage cheese, yoghurt, peas, rice and properly cooked meat are also good pregnancy foods.

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• What Foods Not to Eat When Pregnant
• Diet during Last Trimester of Pregnancy
• Vegetables and Fruits to avoid During Pregnancy