10 Best Foods to Eat During Pregnancy

Foods To Eat During Pregnancy

10 Best Foods to Eat During Pregnancy-Eating healthy food is an essential factor in living a healthy life. Our whole life revolves around our eating habits. If you are consuming a nutritious meal is a key to living a long and fit life. But it becomes more critical during pregnancy. It is crucial to eat a meal full of vitamins and supplements not only for you but for your infant as well.

Many women wonder about what is the best food to eat during pregnancy. Always remember that being pregnant demands a lot of care, which also goes for nutrition. Every meal you eat must be full of nutrients well suited for your condition and baby.

However, it is not as easy as it seems to decide about your meal when you are pregnant. There is not a single food plan for every pregnant woman because where some women can eat particular food without facing any problems, others might be allergic to it. But worry not; we have sorted out the best meal plan for you during pregnancy. Given below is the list of the ten best foods for pregnancy.

• Eggs
• Nuts
• Fish
• Sweet Potatoes 
• Legumes 
• Dairy Products
• Avocados 
• Berries
• Lean Meats
• Water

So sit tight and be focused; this article will give you detailed accounts of the foods mentioned above so that you can easily understand the importance.

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Eggs

Egg are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins, omega-3s, antioxidants, protein, and choline. These nutrients are vital for you and your child’s development.

The protein in eggs helps repair damaged tissues, replace dead cells with new ones, make essential enzymes, and promote your baby’s development.

Eggs also contain choline which is excellent for your baby’s brain development, preventing any mental abnormalities during the developmental process. Furthermore, vitamins in eggs are also suitable for boosting immunity, strengthening bones, and healthy development of your fetus.

However, avoid raw eggs as partially cooked eggs are potentially dangerous for you and your baby. Undercooked eggs can cause severe health issues like salmonella and amniotic fluid infection that can also affect your child.

Nuts

More petite but full of vital nutrients, the mighty nuts serve as the best snack between meals. Nuts contain minerals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, folate, and high quality protein.

Minerals like calcium are good for developing the baby’s teeth and bones. Vitamin E helps protect the cell membrane and boost your baby’s immune system and cell proliferation. Moreover, omega-3 and omega-6 are necessary for the baby’s structural and functional development.

Nuts are safe during pregnancy. However, avoid peanuts if you have a peanut allergy.

Fish

Fish such as salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iodine, and protein. These essential nutrients are required for a robust pregnancy and better child development.

Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for the development of a baby’s brain and retina. Some studies also show that these fatty acids help increase the gestational period. But your body cannot make these fatty acids on its own, and you have to take them from the outside.

Fish is one of the best sources of these fatty acids. Therefore, moderate consumption of fish is necessary when you are pregnant. Nevertheless, you must avoid eating a particular type of fish, such as swordfish and mackerel, as these are rich in mercury.

Sweet Potatoes

Almost everyone likes sweet potatoes, and many delicious recipes are made from them. If you are one of them, we have some good news for you. Sweet potatoes contain several nutrients like beta carotene, fibers, potassium, and folic acid.

Beta carotene is a precursor of vitamin A required for skin, bones, eyes, and lung development. Fibers are suitable for your digestive system, while potassium and folic acid play a vital role in maintaining blood pressure and fetal development.

But if you have a kidney problem, avoid consuming too much sweet potato as it contains oxalate.

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Legumes

Legumes are rich sources of fibers, proteins, folate, vitamins, and vital minerals like magnesium and potassium. These nutrients are required for your fitness and your baby’s health.

Fibers in legumes help you cope with constipation and hemorrhoids. Furthermore, these fibers are also helpful in lowering cholesterol levels. Potassium and magnesium are good for promoting heart health, while folate helps better your baby’s development.

However, avoid eating excessive legumes if you have a chronic migraine problem. According to some experts, beans also contain tyramine which triggers migraine.

Dairy Products

Dairy products like milk, yogurt, butter, and cheese are a crucial for you when you are pregnant as these dairy products are rich in many nutrients. These nutrients contain vitamin D, protein and calcium.

Vitamin D and Ca are needed for the development of baby’s bones, teeth, nerves, heart, and muscles. Moreover, the protein in dairy products are suitable for building healthy muscles.

If you are suffering from lactose intolerance, avoid consuming too much dairy as it causes problems during pregnancy.

Avocados

If you are looking for a tasty source of fibers, vitamin B, vitamin E, healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, copper, and other beneficial supplements, then avocado is the best option.

Healthy monounsaturated fatty acids in avocado help you better absorb the vitamins and are also suitable for boosting the development of a baby’s skin, tissues, and brain. Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) prevents developmental abnormalities and neural tube defects in the fetus, while copper is good for developing your baby’s skeleton, heart, and blood vessels.

There is no problem in eating avocado during pregnancy unless your doctor prescribes otherwise.

Berries

Who does not like the taste of our sweet little berries? If you are one of the fans, then we have happy news for you. Berries are rich in some healthy nutrients that are good for a healthy pregnancy. Berries contain folate, fibers, carbohydrates, potassium, antioxidants, and vitamin C.

Potassium present in berries is good for hypertension, a common pregnancy problem. Vitamin C helps you boost your immunity to combat infections while pregnant. Additionally, fibers protect you from constipation.

Berries come in different shapes, and all are safe for pregnancy. However, you must eat them after cleaning carefully.

Lean Meats

Meats with a moderate amount of fats are known as lean meats. Examples of lean meats are a goose, turkey, skinless chicken, beef, and veal. Lean meats are high in protein, selenium, iron, and vitamin B.

As discussed earlier, proteins are essential for you and your baby during pregnancy. While selenium is an excellent antioxidant that helps improve immunity and protect against tissue damage from free radicals. At the same time, iron and vitamin B are vital for the better development of the baby.

You must be careful while purchasing lean meats as some poultry farms use excessive antibiotics that can cause infection.

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Water

Never took water as food? But we have an interesting fact for you. Water is placed in a fourth food group. Who does not know the benefits of water? Water is rich in vital electrolytes, including magnesium, potassium, fluoride, chloride, and calcium.

All of the electrolytes in water are necessary for the normal development of your baby. Water is the source of transporting nutrients from the placenta to the baby. Moreover, drinking sufficient water daily decreases the risk of dehydration, constipation, UTIs, and hemorrhoids.

Your body needs more water during pregnancy; therefore, you must drink at least 10-14 glasses daily.

Conclusion

Although food rich in nutrients is an essential body requirement for all ages. However, during pregnancy, you should be more careful while planning your food chart. Foods rich in all the nutrients mentioned above play a vital role in maintaining your fitness and the better development of your baby.

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