Healthy Pregnancy Diet: Best Type Of Food To Eat

Why do you need a healthy pregnancy diet? Maama, do you know that pregnant women don’t go around eating junk and goodies?

Are you looking for a snack that will please your stomach and your baby? You’ve undoubtedly heard it a lot: it’s critical to eat healthy foods while pregnant.

Before we dive into the kind of foods and nutrients to include in a healthy pregnancy diet, why don’t we look at why a pregnant woman should eat healthily.

Why is it good to have a healthy pregnancy diet?

During pregnancy, eating a balanced diet is connected to normal brain development and healthy birth weight, as well as lowering the chance of many congenital disabilities.

Anaemia and other unpleasant pregnancy symptoms like exhaustion and morning sickness can be reduced by eating a well-balanced diet.

Some other benefits of maintaining a healthy pregnancy diet include:

Fewer complications

Fighting harmful pregnancy cravings may be challenging, but it is well worth it in the long run for your and your baby’s health.

You could be at risk for issues including gestational diabetes, anaemia, urinary tract infections, and your baby being born with birth abnormalities if you don’t consume a balanced diet.

Nutritional support during pregnancy can also help with labour and delivery, which is always a good thing!

Increased energy

The majority of women report feeling paralysed by exhaustion throughout pregnancy.

Pregnancy fatigue (include link to article) can be challenging to regulate no matter what you do, especially in the early weeks when your body undergoes many hormonal changes.

Maintaining a healthy diet and eating every 3-4 hours will keep your energy levels.

When you’re pregnant, it’s crucial to remember that you should double your iron intake to help maintain your increased blood volume and promote iron storage for the fetus.

Successful fetal development

A well-balanced diet will aid your baby’s growth. It would be best to consume at least 300 calories more per day than you typically would.

You don’t want to overdo it, though, because it might lead to issues like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

Folate or folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, fibre, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and a proper quantity of protein and fat are just a few of the essential vitamins and nutrients that will ensure a healthy baby.

Improved sleep

Numerous things, including nausea, late-night toilet breaks, or aches and pains, can keep you awake at night during your pregnancy.

Making sure you eat complete meals each day, as well as avoiding too much caffeine, will help you get a better night’s sleep.

Vitamins and minerals required during pregnancy, such as vitamin B, calcium, and iron, can help restful sleep.

Reduced risk of getting sick

Certain diseases, such as the flu, are more likely to affect pregnant women. You can avoid it with a good diet and enough rest.

Although a slight cold is unlikely to harm your baby, dealing with pregnancy symptoms is difficult enough without being sick on top of it. It’s a good bet to try to prevent being sick in general!

10 best foods to eat when reading

Here are ten incredibly nutritious foods to eat while pregnant to help you meet your nutrient requirements.

Dairy products

To satisfy the needs of your growing child, you should take more protein and calcium throughout pregnancy. Milk, cheese, and yoghurt are dairy items that should be considered.

Casein and whey are two forms of high-quality protein found in dairy products.

Dairy is the best source of calcium in the diet, and it also contains a lot of phosphorus, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc.

Greek yoghurt, in particular, has more calcium than most other dairy products and is, therefore, very useful. Probiotic bacteria, found in some kinds, help to maintain gut health.

You may be able to tolerate yoghurt if you’re lactose intolerant. Please consult your doctor to see whether you can put it to the test.

Legumes

Peas, beans, chickpeas, soybeans, and peanuts (along with many other delicious culinary components!) fall into this category.

Legumes are high in fibre, protein, iron, folate, and calcium, which your body requires more during pregnancy.

One of the essential B vitamins is folate (B9). It’s crucial for you and the baby, especially in the first trimester and even before that.

Every day, you’ll need at least 600 micrograms (mcg) of folate, which might be challenging to get from diet alone. However, together with supplementation, bringing in legumes can help you get there depending on your doctor’s prescription.

Legumes are also high in fibre in general. Iron, magnesium, and potassium are all abundant in some types.

Sweet potatoes

These potatoes are high in beta carotene, a plant chemical that your body converts to vitamin A. They’re great cooked in a variety of ways.

Vitamin A is necessary for a child’s development. Keep an eye out for significant doses of animal-based vitamin A sources, such as organ meats, which can cause toxicity.

Sweet potatoes, thankfully, are a good source of beta carotene and fibre from plants. Fibre keeps you fuller for longer, lowers blood sugar surges, and aids digestion (which can help if that pregnancy constipation hits).

Eggs

Those fantastic, edible eggs are the ultimate health food, as they contain a small amount of nearly every nutrient you require. A large egg provides approximately 80 calories, as well as high-quality protein, fat, and numerous vitamins and minerals.

Choline, a crucial vitamin during pregnancy, is abundant in eggs. It aids in the development of a baby’s brain and helps to avoid brain and spine developmental disorders.

Proteins

High-quality protein can be found in lean beef, hog, and poultry. Beef and pork are also abundant in iron, choline, and other B vitamins, which you’ll require in more significant quantities during pregnancy.

Iron is an essential mineral that is a component of haemoglobin in red blood cells. Because your blood volume is expanding, you’ll require more iron. This is especially crucial during the third trimester.

Low iron levels in the early and middle stages of pregnancy can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, which raises the risk of a low birth weight baby.

Whole grains

Unlike refined grains, whole grains are high in fibre, vitamins, and plant components. Instead of white bread, spaghetti, and white rice, consider oats, quinoa, brown rice, wheat berries, and barley.

Oats are an example of healthy grains that are high in protein. B vitamins, fibre, and magnesium are all things that are typically missing in pregnant women.

Avocados

This is a unique fruit in that they are high in monounsaturated fatty acids. This imparts a buttery, rich flavour, ideal for adding depth and creaminess to a dish.

Fibre, B vitamins (particularly folate), vitamin K, potassium, copper, vitamin E, and vitamin C are also abundant. Avocados are a fantastic choice during pregnancy because of their high level of healthy fats, folate, and potassium (and always).

Healthy fats aid in developing your child’s skin, brain, and tissues, while folate may assist in avoiding neural tube defects and developmental abnormalities of the brain and spine.

Potassium may help reduce leg cramps, a common side effect of pregnancy. Avocados contain more potassium than bananas.

Water

Let’s say it together: we all need to stay hydrated—particularly pregnant people. Blood volume increases by roughly 45 percent during pregnancy.

Your body will provide hydration to your baby, but if you don’t drink enough water, you may become dehydrated.

Headaches, anxiety, weariness, a foul mood, and memory loss are signs of mild dehydration.

Constipation can be relieved by increasing your water intake, as can the risk of urinary tract infections, which are frequent during pregnancy.

Dried fruit

This fruit contains many calories, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Dried fruit has the same nutritional value as of fresh fruit, but without the water and in a much smaller package.

Many vitamins and minerals, including folate, iron, and potassium, can be found in substantial amounts in a single serving of dried fruit.

Berries

This fruit is packed with water, nutritious carbohydrates, vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants.

Berries have a low glycemic index, so they shouldn’t cause severe blood sugar fluctuations.

They make a fantastic snack since they are high in water and fibre. They pack a lot of taste and nutrition into a small number of calories.

Conclusion

Pregnant women require more calcium, folic acid, iron, and protein than non-pregnant women. Some things to avoid when pregnant include: Caffeine, alcohol, unpasteurised food and raw meat,

Many delectable options are available to provide you and your kid with all you require. The list above is a fantastic place to start if you want a healthy, well-nourished pregnancy.

Click here to go to the fantastic world of motherhood.

Subscribe to our telegram channel here.

Or join our telegram group here.

Or send me an email to join our Exclusive WhatsApp Family.

Keep being #fabulous.

I am rooting for you.

Viv.