Foods to eat during pregnancy

This is a collaborative post

It is hard to decide on what to eat during pregnancy. It is noteworthy that whatever a woman drinks and snacks on when pregnant; it is the primary source of food for her unborn child. Experts at bestforparents.co.uk advise that expectant mothers should eat a balanced diet to supply the baby with vital nutrients for development and maturity. There are also certain foods that should be avoided, or researched on websites like Best For Parents, before eating when you’re pregnant. For example, feta cheese is a food that many pregnant women like to research before eating! If you are an expectant woman reading this, here are the foods to eat during pregnancy.

Whole grains

When pregnant it is crucial to eat foods high in fibre and nutrients. Include whole grains in your diet as they are rich in nutrients and antioxidant Vitamin E. They are an excellent choice for pregnant women because they also have phytonutrients that help to defend the cells.  Some of the whole grains you should consider eating include buckwheat, spelt, barley, and oats. They are an amazing supply of energy.

Lean Meat

When pregnant, hunger sometimes becomes impossible to control. That is why you should eat high protein foods to help keep your appetite in control as they calm the blood sugar. Consider lean mean as it is a source of protein.  It is also rich in iron, and it is essential in the development of the baby’s red blood cells. Eating high iron foods is an excellent way to assist in building the brain of your unborn infant. You can add pork, beef, and lamb to your diet.

Sweet potatoes

Pregnant women need to eat food high in Vitamin A to aid in the growth of cells. Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene (a plant compound) that is converted to Vitamin A by the body. Besides, sweet potatoes include fibre that is vital in reducing blood sugar upsurge and enhance the digestive health and strength.

Milk and yogurt

Calcium is essential in building baby teeth and bones. Dairy products contain Vitamin D that works well with calcium in the development of the baby’s bones and teeth. Yogurt contains proteins, Vitamins, and zinc which are necessary for bones growth. Failure to eat calcium-rich foods may result in the body drawing the minerals from you to supply to the baby. This can put you at risk of osteoporosis.

Eggs

If you haven’t been eating eggs, you are making a big mistake. Eggs provide protein to the body, and they are an excellent source of iron and folate. They are a source of choline that is vital for the development of the fetal brain. It also and lowers neural tube defects risk.

Veggies

We cannot forget to mention greens such as spinach, kale, and asparagus. They are essential for expectant mothers and the unborn child.  Vegetables contain antioxidants, calcium, fibre, folate, and potassium. They also include Vitamin A. The minerals in leafy greens play a vital role in the development of the baby’s eyesight, skin, and bones.

Conclusion

A healthy pregnancy means delivering a healthy baby. While all these foods play an essential role in the body, there are some foods expectant moms should avoid eating. Moms-to-be should avoid alcohol and smoking as this is not good for the health of the baby.