Being pregnant is hard on your body. You need to not only get enough nutrients in for yourself but also to make sure that your baby grows up strong and healthy. What you eat during pregnancy will be your baby’s main source of nourishment, so paying close attention to the right foods and your pregnancy diet is important.
Foods To Eat More Of
- Whole Grains. Low carb is definitely not the way to go when you are trying to create life. Of course, snacking on refined white carbs such as white bread is not recommended, even though your cravings may tell you otherwise. Whole grains such as, brown rice, whole wheat and Quinoa, are a great source of fibre, iron and vitamin B.
- Protein And Diary: Good sources of lean protein such as poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds need to be a big part of your pregnancy diet. These provide the building blocks that baby needs to reach each stage of early development. Dairy needs to form a part of this too, with up to four servings per day consumed. Whole milk, yoghurt and cheese are a great source of calcium and vitamins.
- Leafy Vegetables: Iron is incredibly important in prenatal development. Taking an iron supplement is often recommended, but another way to make sure that you get enough is by eating dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale and rocket. Half your plate should consist of fruits and leafy vegetables per serving, with five to 10 tennis ball-sized servings being consumed per day.
Foods To Avoid
- Caffeine: As sad as it is, pregnant women should not consume caffeine. This includes black tea, coffee, and a number of fizzy drinks. Including caffeine in your pregnancy diet can detrimentally affect your baby’s development.
- Unpasteurized Food: Raw food, especially dairy, can hold a number of nasties including bacteria and listeria. Both of these if contracted during pregnancy may result in miscarriages. Stay away from raw milk, unpasteurized cheese such as camembert and brie, and processed meats as well.
- Raw meat: Many of us love a lovely rare steak, but for a pregnancy diet this is unfortunately not recommended. Raw meat can harbour toxoplasma which can cause blindness and mental issues in a baby. Stick to well-cooked meat and cooked eggs.
Pregnancy Diet In A Nutshell
Eating while you are pregnant can be challenging, and not just because morning sickness makes you feel green at the very sight of food. If you stick to healthy options such as lots of fruit and veg, whole grains and cooked proteins you stand a good chance of getting all the nutrients you need for your growing baby. We also give some helpful pointers about exercising during pregnancy so please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding all of your pregnancy diet questions.