There are no special foods to eat when pregnant; just the usual ones that you have been eating since years. However, you need to be more particular about certain foods to eat during pregnancy. Include a variety in your diet and choose quality foods so that you get the right nutrients of the right amount for yourself and your baby.
Fruits And Vegetables
You should consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. You can choose a variety of fruits, either fresh, frozen, dried, in the form of natural juice, or whole. In case of vegetables, be more liberal towards green leafy ones.
Cereals And Grains
They are an important source of complex carbohydrates. Include whole grains, breads, cereals, pasta, rice, and potatoes in your pre-pregnancy diet as well as in the list of foods to eat when pregnant. Switch to whole meal bread or brown rice, as they contain more vitamins and fiber. Besides, they are more filling thus reducing your tendency to overeat. Hence, they help to check your weight too.
Milk And Milk Products
You need lots of calcium during this time. Therefore, milk is a must for the best pregnancy diet. A pint of skimmed or semi-skimmed milk daily does wonders. You can also have one ounce of cheese, the size of a matchbox; or a bowl of yoghurt or milk pudding. Some people think that low fat dairy products contain less calcium, along with less fat. This is not true. The amount of calcium is the same as in the full fat varieties. However, it is advisable to stick to low fat dairy products to prevent excessive weight gain.
Folic Acid Enriched Foods
One of the foods to eat when pregnant is the folic acid enriched one. Folic acid is a part of vitamin B and is present in its natural form in various foods. It’s also included in many manufactured foods. Folic acid is an important nutrient in the pregnancy diet, as it promotes healthy growth of all body cells. It is particularly essential in the early pregnancy period stages.
If you want to decrease the risk of neural tube defects in your baby, it’s best to start the intake of folic acid before planning to get pregnant. In addition to this, do not forget your protein intake. Include pulses, beans, and nuts in your list of foods to eat when pregnant.
