#healthy eating
During pregnancy, eating real food is more important than ever. A nourishing, real food diet will not only help the baby grow, but it will also set him or her up for a lifetime of healthy eating.
There’s nothing like finding out you’re pregnant to encourage better eating habits. After all, your body is going through big changes, and both you and baby need a full dose of vitamins and nutrients to stay well and strong. But what counts as healthy food for pregnancy? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 of the best foods to eat when pregnant, and why.
EGGS
NUTS
BEANS AND LENTILS
ORANGE JUICE
YOGURTEGGS
What it’s got: Whether you like them fried, scrambled, hard-boiled or served as an omelet, eggs are the gold standard for prenatal protein. They also happen to be a great source of folate, iron, and choline.
Choline is critical to fetal brain development and reduces the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. But to reap the benefits, you’ll have to eat the whole thing, since choline is contained in the yolk (so forget the egg-whites-only order). Bonus: Give baby a brain boost by buying eggs fortified with omega-3s.
NUTS
This crunchy (and convenient) snack is full of healthy fats (including those brain-boosting omega-3s we mentioned earlier), protein, fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Plus, noshing on nuts will help make a dent in the 350 milligrams of magnesium you’re supposed to get now that you’re preggers.
BEANS AND LENTILS
If you’re not a big meat eater (or one at all), beans and lentils are great sources of protein and iron, as well as folate, fiber, and calcium. And beans (especially baked ones) are also bursting with zinc.
: Beans boast a bunch of the baby- and mom-friendly minerals found in animal products, so they’re a great option for vegetarian and vegan moms-to-be. Beans are also rich in zinc, an essential mineral that’s linked to a lower risk for preterm delivery, low birth weight and prolonged labor.
ORANGE JUICE
What it’s got: Down a glass of OJ in the morning to fill up on folate, potassium and, of course, vitamin C.Why it’s good for both of you: You’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about folate and folic acid (the synthetic form that you get in supplements and fortified foods), and with good reason:
It’s a necessary nutrient for preventing certain birth defects early on in pregnancy, and for ensuring a healthy pregnancy after that, so try to get the recommended 400 micrograms a day
Yogurt
especially Greek yogurt is particularly beneficial for pregnant women.
It contains more calcium than most other dairy products. Some varieties also contain probiotic bacteria, which support digestive health.
People who are lactose intolerant may also be able to tolerate yogurt, especially probiotic yogurt
Taking probiotic supplements during pregnancy may reduce your risk of complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, vaginal infections and allergies
What you eat during pregnancy affects your energy and well-being.
It may also directly affect the health and development of your baby. Since calorie and nutrient needs are increased, it’s very important that you choose nutrient-dense, healthy foods. Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, but it’s important to gain it in a healthy way. This benefits you, your baby and your health after the pregnancy.
This list should be a good start towards a healthy, well-nourished pregnancy.
JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS HIGH IN CALORIES DOESN’T MEAN THAT IT’S UNHEALTHY AND JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS LOW IN CALORIES DOESN’T MEAN THAT IT’S HEALTHY
Even though I’m ‘recovered’, this still hits me hard.