Pregnancy is an important stage of life when your body needs nutrients more than usual. It is because your child inside the womb feeds on you making it important for you to eat more that is healthy.
Some of the the essential nutrients you must eat during pregnancy:
- Iron
- Folic Acid
- Protein
- Iodine
- Calcium
Folic acid is important as it saves your child from any birth defects that may occur in the spine or the brain. Iron and Iodine supplements are required to keep your baby healthy. Protein in your diet helps in the development, growth and repair new and damaged tissues.
Your gynecologist will recommend to you some of these essential nutrients in the form of prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid, calcium, iron, and iodine. Other than this, pregnant women should eat food like:
- Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains that are rich in protein.
- Eat green leafy vegetables, pulses, beans, fruits like dates, apples, resins, etc, for the source of iron.
- For Folic acid and vitamin B12, pregnant females should eat eggs, beetroot, citrus fruits, broccoli, legumes.
An expecting female must eat the right amount of calories and it does not mean that you eat more. Choose to eat healthy snacks that are fat-free as you will automatically get that extra calories in pregnancy. The options for healthy snacks include :
- Low-fat fruit yogurt.
- Par-boiled vegetables with dips or hummus.
Those who love to eat fish must include it in your diet because it is rich in protiens which is good for your baby. But make sure the fish you choose to eat has a low component of mercury else it can affect the brain development of your child.
