PREGNANCY TIP: Nutrition and Foods to Eat During Pregnancy

Making healthful food choice is crucial for women when they are pregnant. Their diet will provide the fetus with the nutrients essential for growth and development. The ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, once said, “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.” This definitely holds true when you’re pregnant.

The numbers of people suffering from various diseases and sickness such as diabetes, high cholesterol, digestive issues, and others have skyrocketed.

Number one thing to consider is the foods you must eat

1. Eat fruits and veggies

Snacking on fruit can be a great way to boost vitamin intake in addition to curbing sugar cravings. We all know that fruits and vegetables contain a ton of vitamins and minerals that do us good. Be consistent with your diet. You must eat these daily. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. You can’t eat 7 apples on Saturday and expect to get the job done. It doesn’t work that way. Consistency is key. Another fruit recommended is Apricots. Apricots contains Vitamins A, C and E, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Beta carotene, Phosphorus and Silicon.

All of these nutrients help with the baby’s development and growth. Iron can as well prevent anemia and calcium helps bones and teeth grow strong. Also try taking Bananas. It contains Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B-6 and good fiber. The high fiber content of bananas can help with pregnancy-related constipation. Vitamin B-6 can also help relieve nausea and vomiting in every pregnancy. There are many more to it, like Mangoes, Pears, Avocados, Guava, Grapes and Berries

2. Good carbs
This is especially so when you’re pregnant. Carbs give you energy and make up a sizeable chunk of your required calories. Carbs provide essential fuel for you and your baby during pregnancy. One thing to note is that not all carbs are created equal. What matters is that you consume carbs from healthy sources. Carbs are the main source of energy in your diet. Food with good carbs are fruits vegetables, whole grain breads, bananas, chicken, potatoes, oats, quinoa, brown rice and pasetc. are all excellent carb sources.

3. Eat enough protein
During pregnancy, you need to consume extra protein and calcium to meet the needs of the growing fetus. You can get your proteins from lean meats, beef and beans. Once again, focus on the “single ingredient” requirement. A few cuts of lean chicken breast are good. A chicken nugget is NOT good. A slab of steak is good. A few sausages are NOT good.
Eggs are very essential and play a very big role in your pregnancy. They can help stabilize your blood sugars. Egg promote baby’s overall development. Since the amino acids contained in protein are the building blocks of our bodies’ cells, it is important that you eat protein-rich food to help your baby develop normally. Eggs promote baby’s brain development and as well help prevent anemia.
Pregnant and nursing mothers should get about 71 grams of proteins per day which is approximately 25 grams more than those who are not pregnant.
If you do not eat enough protein, you may end up gaining more weight, have a hard time keeping your blood sugar levels on track and be more prone to illness.

4. Organic food
While this can be a little costly, it is highly beneficial. If you can afford to eat organic for the 9 months that you’re pregnant, go for it. Organic foods are free of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. In the event that your budget does not allow you to go completely organic, then make sure some of the foods that you consume are organic.

5. Eat the right kind of fat
Extra virgin olive oil and virgin coconut oil are two of the best types of fat you can consume. In fact, of the two, the coconut oil is better.
By recommendation, pregnant women should consume two tablespoons of unprocessed coconut oil per day, either in a smoothie or in place of other oils or butters. Coconut oil helps in relieving morning sickness, heartburn and constipation.

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a powerful anti-microbial fatty acid that protects the immune system of the fetus and newborn. Expectant mothers can ingest 2-3 tablespoons a day to boost their immune function. Mix it a warm breakfast porridge.
Rub the oil onto your skin to prevent stretch marks and itchy skin that seems to grow with your belly.
Take a spoonful to help with heartburn, acid reflux or indigestion.
Virgin coconut oil balances blood sugar, controls diabetes and helps combat morning sickness.
Coconut oil is the perfect way to remove your baby’s stubborn cradle cap.
Use coconut oil to battle your baby’s diaper rash (it is especially good for a yeast infection rash – which I explained in my previous video on how to cure vaginal yeast infection)

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