Top 8 Best Food to Eat During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in your life. A pregnant woman needs to ensure that her diet provides enough nutrients and energy for her baby to develop and grow properly, and also to make sure that her body is healthy enough to deal with the changes that are occurring.

Research has shown that the food a mother eats during pregnancy can affect the development of her baby, and may also affect the baby’s health later in life. The world of advice for pregnant women! And few areas of advice for moms-to-be are more confusing than that of nutrition. Here are some amazing foods that you should eat during pregnancy.

The Healthy Food to Eat During Pregnancy

1. Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes contain carotenoids (that’s what gives them their orange color). Carotenoids are plant pigments that convert to Vitamin A. And here’s the great thing: they only convert when your body is in need of vitamin A!
2. Broccoli: America’s favorite cruciferous vegetable, packed with plenty of vitamins A and C, with a calcium bonus, as well as baby-friendly folic acid. Toss into pasta or casseroles, stir-fry with seafood or chicken, serve steamed, or dunk in dip.
3.  Broccoli: It’s not only packed with nutrients that are necessary for a healthy pregnancy – such as calcium and folate – but broccoli is also rich in fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants.
4. Protein – good animal-sourced proteins include fish, lean meat and chicken, as well as eggs. Beans, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds and nut butters are also good sources of protein.
5. Carbohydrates, such as those found in whole grains and certain vegetables, provide long-lasting energy and fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Avoid simple carbohydrates – found in white sugar, white flour, and the foods that contain them (cakes, white bread) – because they are nutritionally empty and fattening.
6. Iodine is essential to the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system. During pregnancy your iodine requirement increases by 47 per cent and by 80 per cent during breastfeeding. Iodine occurs at low levels in the Australian food supply and varies depending on season and processing practices.
7. Walnuts are just delicious and they’re a great source of omega 3. Omega 3 is important for the growth of your baby’s brain.
8. Nuts are chock-full of important minerals (copper, manganese, magnesium, selenium, zinc, potassium, and even calcium) and vitamin E. And even though they’re high in fat, it’s mainly the good-for-you kind.

Choosing a safe and healthy diet during pregnancy is beneficial to you and your baby. The thing about these foods is that you’ll probably find that you’ll want to keep them as a regular part of your balanced, healthy diet.