Best Foods For Pregnant Women

Wondering what the best foods for pregnant women are?

First off, congratulations on your pregnancy and thumbs up for caring about finding the best fuel for you and baby!

It is always important to care what you’re putting in your body. Even more so when you’re pregnant.

During this beautiful time your body is working overtime to create that perfect little bundle of joy and it needs extra nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to do it.

But, choosing the wrong foods could lead to excessive weight gain and possibly even birth complications.

Eat a variety of these pregnancy super foods to increase your changes of a healthy pregnancy and baby.

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*I am not a doctor. This information should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice. I advise you to consult with your doctor for all your dietary and health needs*

Dairy

During pregnancy you need to consume more calcium and protein. Dairy products are packed full of both.

When choosing dairy foods stick with full fat as opposed to low fat.

Why?

Most of the essential nutrients in dairy are actually in the fat. See for yourself.

Lactose intolerant? Don’t worry, you can still get the nutrients you and baby need by eating more of the other foods on this list.

Here are the best dairy foods to eat during pregnancy:

Milk

Drinking milk is one of the easiest ways to get the calcium your body needs for bone health.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt has twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt and is a great source of calcium and probiotics.

Cheese

Cheese is a great source of calcium as well but it can be high in calories, sodium, and fat so it should be eaten in moderation.

Related Reading: Health Insurance Benefits For Pregnant Women

Legumes

Legumes are specified as plants with a seed pod that slips in half.

They are a great source of protein, fiber, and are even thought to help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

An easy way to incorporate more legumes into your diet is by eating them in soups like chili or lentil soup.

Here are a few examples:

Soybeans

Tofu

Edamame

Lentils

Black Beans

Kidney Beans

Chickpeas

Lima Beans

Best Vegetables For Pregnancy

Vegetables are a great source of nutrition in general and you’ve probably heard the advice to strive to eat the rainbow. As in eating a variety of different colored vegetables to consume all of the different vitamins and minerals they have to offer.

That is great advice to follow. With that being said here are some of the best pregnancy super food vegetables.

Spinach

Spinach makes the list of best foods for pregnant women because of it’s rich iron content. Anemia is a concern during pregnancy and after birth and can be avoid by eating a diet high in iron.

You can try eating it in a salad or I enjoy it chopped finely and cooked in many pasta dishes.

Carrots

During pregnancy your body needs more vitamin A to help grow the eyes, teeth, skin, and bones of your baby. One medium size carrot can fulfill your vitamin A needs for the day.

Avocados

Avocados are a pregnancy superfood because they are a natural source of folic acid which is needed for your babies neural tube development.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains calcium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, the list goes on. It is so healthy, but what makes it great for pregnancy is it’s vitamin C content. When eaten with iron rich foods like whole grains the vitamin C content in broccoli helps your body absorb more of the iron.

Sweet Potatoes

Pregnant women need to up their potassium intake. While some are lead to believe the banana is the best choice, sweet potatoes actually contain more potassium as well as other beneficial nutrients and less sugar.

Not to say don’t eat bananas, just saying sweet potatoes are better.

Related Reading: This Gender Reveal Video Blew My Mind

Best Fruits For Pregnancy

It’s no secret that fruits are super healthy and great to eat while your are pregnant. When it comes to pregnancy some fruits are better than others. Here are the best fruits to eat during pregnancy.

Dates

There were studies done that showed eating 7 dates a day during your third trimesters increased women’s chances of an easier labor and these women were less likely to need to be induced.

Apples

A study showed eating apples during pregnancy was linked to a reduced number of children developing asthma and allergies.

Berries

Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are some of the best fruits to eat during pregnancy because they have all the nutrients of fruit with less of the sugar.

Watermelon

Water is known for being a pregnancy superfood for pregnant women because it can help ease morning sickness, keep you hydrated, and relax your muscles.

Whole Grains

Whole grains contain folic acid, iron, and fiber that you need when you are pregnant. While they are good for you and needed during pregnancy some contain a lot of calories and it is easy to go overboard.

Try to choose low calorie whole grains and eat them in moderation.

Wheat Bread

Brown Rice

Quinoa

Oatmeal

Protein

Lean meats and other protein packed foods are a must eat during pregnancy for you and your baby.

Eggs

Eggs are a superfood because they contain a little of almost every nutrient your body needs. What makes them even better is their choline content.

Choline is a crucial nutrient for brain development. Studies show more than half of people meet their daily choline needs.

Just one egg meets 25% of a pregnant women’s choline needs for the day.

Here are a few other protein packed foods for pregnancy:

Chicken

Turkey

Salmon

Almonds

Related Reading: What I Wish I Knew Before Giving Birth

Review

Eating healthy is essential for your health and your growing baby. Aim to eat a variety of healthy foods that include some of these best foods for pregnant women.