Recommended healthy food for pregnant women – 10 foods to eat during pregnancy for a healthy baby
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Pregnancy is one of the happiest phases in a woman’s life, but it can have its own set of mental and physical stresses. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is very important during pregnancy as it helps both the mother and the baby stay healthy!
During this time, your body needs extra nutrients to improve your baby’s health. You must add 400-500 extra calories daily during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Poor dietary choices can make you fat and increase the risk of birth complications.
Pregnant women are needed to take extra care of what they eat during the pregnancy period to fulfil the special nutritional requirements of the baby. In short, choosing healthy and nutrient-rich foods will ensure that you and your fetus both stay healthy. It also helps you lose weight easily after you have given birth.
So, just for you, we have compiled a list of 10 foods you can eat when pregnant!
1. Dairy products
Dairy products should be consumed in large quantities while pregnant. It aids in meeting the increased need for calcium and proteins that your growing fetus has. To keep your baby healthy, consume more Greek yoghurt, paneer, and ghee and drink at least one glass of milk daily.
2. Eggs
They are a fantastic source of vitamins, proteins, and minerals, so eggs are frequently referred to as superfoods. Because eggs’ proteins create and repair the fetus’s cells, they benefit a growing child. Eggs also contain a significant amount of choline, which is crucial for the unborn child’s brain and nervous system development.
3. Banana
Calcium, potassium, folic acid, and vitamin B6 are all abundant in bananas. They also help to increase energy because they are high in antioxidants. They can thus be a healthy addition to your diet during pregnancy.
4. Sweet potatoes
Beta-carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A and is necessary for the growth of cells and tissues, is abundant in sweet potatoes. Additionally, vitamin A helps to increase immunity and enhance vision. Consuming more sweet potatoes may be advantageous for the mother and the unborn child.
5. Legumes
Lentils, soybeans, peas, beans, chickpeas, and peanuts are all considered part of the legume family of foods. They are a great source of plant-based protein, calcium, iron, folate, and fibre, which are crucial for pregnant women. Your baby will be healthy at birth and protected from many illnesses and infections if you get enough folate.
6. Nuts
The combination of nuts’ deliciousness and high content of good fats makes them a great option for a pregnancy snack. They contain proteins, fibre, and other vital nutrients necessary for the baby’s development and brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids.
7. Orange juice
You can fill up on orange juice’s folate, potassium, and vitamin C. It can give your baby the nutrients they need to avoid birth defects. Orange juice’s vitamin C content will improve your baby’s body’s capacity to absorb iron. Therefore, drink one glass of orange juice for breakfast each day.
8. Leafy vegetables
We all know that leafy vegetables can help the body ward off many diseases because they are nutrient-rich and abundant. Because they are a great source of antioxidants, calcium, protein, fibre, folate, vitamins, and potassium, green vegetables are a wonderful addition to your pregnancy diet.
9. Oatmeal
Numerous health advantages of oatmeal exist. All of us, especially pregnant women, need to consume carbohydrates because they give us quick energy to carry out daily tasks. Oatmeal is a healthy source of carbohydrates, selenium, vitamin B, phosphorous, and calcium. So while you’re pregnant, eat it for breakfast.