A proper diet during pregnancy is extremely important. What you eat or drink directly affects the development of your baby and your overall well-being.
As we delve deeper into this topic, you might have come across a list of foods you should avoid like unpasteurized milk and juice.
Then, there are other meals that you're advised to eat in moderation, like chips because they aren't healthy and don't contain any beneficial nutrients.
On the flip side are foods that nourish your body and contribute to the well-being of your baby in the best way possible. Let us have a look at some of those:
- Brown rice
The nutritional content of white rice cannot be compared to that of brown rice. Brown rice still has its nutritious outer layer intact so it has more vitamins, antioxidants, healthy fats and complex carbs to give you a better energy boost during pregnancy.
Also, it is more filling as compared to white rice, which is also an important quality.
- Nuts
Nuts like walnuts, peanuts and almonds have great benefits for our bodies. When you're pregnant you could use a good supply of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fibre, all of which are found in these nuts.
These benefits are important for your baby's development so if you need something to snack on that won't leave you hungry a short while after, nuts are your friend.
- Legumes
Beans, peas and lentils are all categories of legumes that we eat often. They're easy to prepare and they are an affordable option if you want to eat healthy on a budget.
Besides that, legumes are a wonderful food for pregnant women. They have everything your body needs at this time such as fibre, folate, potassium, iron, and protein, just to name a few.
These nutritional benefits help to prevent birth defects, which often happen when there isn't enough folate in your diet. Legumes can therefore help supply you and your baby with adequate nutrients.
- Berries
Berries are often voted as one of the most nutritional fruits in the world. These are your strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.
What makes them so special is that they contain a high Vitamin C content as well as folate and fibre. These perks will boost your immunity, balance your sugar levels and even help improve your skin, which is an added beauty benefit.
Therefore, you should be adding berries to your fruit salads, smoothies and oatmeal during breakfast.
- Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a wonderful and healthy go-to snack to have with you while you're pregnant. It has a good amount of calcium which is extremely important for your baby to have a fully developed musculoskeletal and circulatory system. That means they need enough of it for healthy bones, teeth, heart and nerves.
The other benefit of yoghurt is the probiotics, which will keep your gut healthy throughout your pregnancy.
You should have enough yoghurt in your fridge, and the best option you should try are those that don't have too much sugar and the probiotic options for full benefits. Also, remember to stay away from unpasteurized yoghurt.
