Things You Need to Know Before Having a Baby – the Food You Eat Matters!

Now that you’re eating and caring for two (or more), you have to start thinking about what you are putting in your body more than ever. Whatever you eat will not only affect you, but your child as well. Here are some foods for you to eat during pregnancy that’ll make you and your baby feel great.

Bananas

Bananas are high in potassium and give you a boost of energy to help fight off pregnancy fatigue.

Read about all of bananas’ benefits at Food Matters.

Yogurt

Any kind of yogurt is a great source of calcium, which is vital in a pregnancy diet. If you don’t take in enough calcium, the limited amount you have will go to your baby, depleting the calcium in your bones.

Eggs

Eggs provide quality protein and 12 vitamins and minerals. Protein is necessary when pregnant since you need protein, yourself, and your baby needs a source of protein to grow. They are probably the easiest, most versatile source of protein that is also low in calories.

Sweet Potatoes

Rich in Vitamins A & C and fiber, sweet potatoes are a great addition to your daily meals. Cook a sweet potato for a side dish or slice a cooked one up for a quick snack. Inexpensive and easy to cook, they’re healthy for you and your baby and will make you feel full and will satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way.

Salmon

A high-quality protein, salmon is also a good source of omega-3 fats, which are not only good for you, but for your baby’s development as well. While a great, healthy meal, it is recommended to not eat more than 12 ounces per week to avoid too much mercury intake.

See the benefits of salmon at WH Foods.

Beans

Beans are a great source of both fiber and protein. While the protein is already an important aspect to pregnancy, the intake of fiber is equally important. When you’re pregnant, your gastrointestinal tract slows down, putting you at risk for constipation and hemorrhoids. Fiber can help prevent and relieve these problems.

See the many benefits of beans for you and your baby at Fit Pregnancy.

Blueberries

Packed with vitamins and fiber, blueberries may be the tastiest, most fruitful snack out there. With pregnancy brain being a common complaint, blueberries help fight it as they are a known brain-power food. Blueberries improve your brain’s memory, which will help you on those days when you feel over-whelmed and a bit off.

Orange Juice

We all know that orange juice is a great source of Vitamin C, but it is also packed with folate and potassium. Folate is a necessary nutrient for preventing certain birth defects early on in pregnancy and for ensuring an over-all healthy pregnancy.

Read more about its benefits for you and your baby at The Bump.

Whole Grains

Whole grains such as oatmeal, wheat bread, or brown rice are a great choice during pregnancy. Providing fiber and iron, whole grains should make up at least half of a pregnant woman’s carbohydrate choices each day.

Greens

Broccoli, asparagus, spinach, and more, all top off the list of important foods to eat during pregnancy. Full of antioxidants and nutrients, greens are a super food for developing babies and their moms. These nutrient-rich foods help develop your baby’s eyesight and aid in skin and bone growth.