10 Power Foods You Should Eat During Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, you need food that packs a punch. Your body’s needs change during pregnancy. You need a little extra of everything. Unfortunately, our daily diets lack balance. If you are planning to carry on with your pre-pregnancy food habits, think again. You cannot have a healthy pregnancy without ensuring that your diet meets your changed nutritional needs.
But that’s the problem, isn’t it? Are you wondering about the food you need to eat to ensure a healthy pregnancy? Are you looking to create the perfect pregnancy menu? Let us help you out!
Here Are The Top Ten Pregnancy Power Foods You Should Include In Your Pregnancy Diet:
1. Avocados:
You need avocados in your diet, without a question. These delicious fruits are full of nutrients like folic acid, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 (1). All these nutrients are essential for the growth of your unborn baby. Not just that! The vitamin B6 in avocado can even help ease your morning sickness! (2) The only thing you need to keep in mind is that avocados are high-calorie food. If you are looking to manage your weight, be moderate when you eat these delicious fruits.
[ Read: Benefits Of Avocado During Pregnancy ]
2. Broccoli:
What? Don’t you like the crunchy green veggie? Broccoli is rich in vitamins A and C, both of which have antioxidant properties that prevent cancer (3). Broccoli also contains calcium and folic acid, making it the perfect pregnancy power food.
3. Eggs:
If you are looking for healthy foods, the list is incomplete without eggs. Egg contains a good amount of protein. But here’s what makes it a power food – DHA! Egg is a storehouse of natural DHA, which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid. DHA helps in the development of the brain and retina of your baby (4).
[ Read: Eating Egg During Pregnancy ]
4. Lentils:
Are you looking for an easy to digest power food? Try lentils. Lentils are a source of folic acid, vitamin B6, iron, and protein. It is a must-have during pregnancy. A recent animal study reveals that lentil can help regulate blood pressure too! (5)
5. Nuts:
In a nutshell, nuts are what you need to lead a healthier and happier life (6). They contain a good amount of minerals like copper, manganese, magnesium, selenium, zinc, potassium, and calcium. Nuts also contain vitamin E. All these nutrients are vital for a healthy pregnancy.
6. Oatmeal:
So you thought oatmeal was good for your heart? Well, it is good for your whole body! If you are looking for a power breakfast, go for a bowl of oatmeal. Its unique properties make oatmeal a great antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer agent. Food cannot get more powerful than this! (7)
7. Spinach:
Embrace your inner Popeye, and include spinach in your pregnancy diet. What makes this green, leafy vegetable a super food? For one, it contains folic acid, vitamin A, and calcium. In fact, the vitamin A content in spinach makes it a great agent to maintain the level of plasma retinol in your body. (8)
[Read: Benefits Of Spinach During Pregnancy ]
8. Yogurt:
Simply delicious yogurt remains a must have in all menus. Yogurt contains the same amount of calcium as milk. It also contains protein and folic acid, all of which you need for a healthy pregnancy. But there’s more! The probiotic content (the good bacteria) in yogurt also helps to keep your digestive system healthy (9). Yogurt can also help prevent Type 2 diabetes (10).
9. Figs:
Figs are a great source of nutrients you need during pregnancy (11). Figs provide fiber to aid your digestion and calcium for your bone health. Figs also contain iron and vitamin K. The iron content in figs can help prevent anemia during pregnancy.
10. Pinto Beans:
Pinto beans are a great way to keep your heart healthy (12). But that is not all that makes these beans a power food during pregnancy. They also contain copper, iron, and phosphorus. You need these minerals to ward off anemia. These minerals protect your health as well as aid the growth of your baby’s bones and teeth. Pinto beans also contain a good amount of fiber, which aids the functioning of your digestive system.
Your pregnancy diet needs a healthy dose of all the power foods mentioned above. Get these power foods during pregnancy so that will keep you healthy.The food you eat will take care of much of your pregnancy worries. For the rest, talk to your doctor!
So, which of these power foods is your favorite? Tell us in the comments section below.
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