What To Eat When Pregnant List

If you are pregnant or are preparing your body for pregnancy then you need to seriously consider what to eat when pregnant.

As an IVF and pregnancy consultant I have seen many women neglect their bodies during pregnancy due to indifference or lack of knowledge. A pregnant body requires tender loving care as it embarks of the journey of creating new life.

As a mother, you will want to produce the healthiest baby with every body part functioning fully. Diet and lifestyle matters greatly, so to keep it simple I have put together a ‘What to eat when pregnant list’ and I explain why you need to eat these food groups.

Some foods double-up on their nutrients, so where this is so, to make it easier for you I have chosen which category to list them in and list them only once in my total list. This way, you will be eating a more varied diet which is rich nutrients required for a healthy baby.

Be aware, that you need only increase your calorie intake by 300 calories, which is not a lot. So you must ensure that the calories you choose to eat re going to benefit you and your baby.

FOLIC ACID I advise my patients to take a supplement of folic acid before pregnancy and also during the first trimester. Folic acid prevents spina bifida, and ensures your babies nervous system develops properly.

IRON Iron is stored in your body during pregnancy for your baby to draw on for the first six months of feeding. I advise an iron supplement of 60 milligrams daily along with eating iron rich foods. Eat plenty of dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, dried fruits, lean beef, liver and sardines.

CALCIUM Your baby will draw calcium from your body to develop his or her bones and teeth. If your calcium intake is low, then calcium will be drawn from your own bones leading to osteoporosis later in your life.

Start your pregnancy by drinking 4 cups of skim milk each day, or the equivalent of other dairy products such as cottage cheese of yogurt.

VITAMIN C Your body is under a lot of stress as it changes and reacts to being pregnant. In order to keep your general health in tact, you need to eat foods which are high in vitamin C.

Vitamin C is found in fruit and vegetables, and most abundantly in the following vegetables: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, spinach and potatoes. Fruit: lemon, papaya, oranges, watermelon, honey dew melon cantaloupe and strawberries. Eat one cup of vitamin C rich foods daily.

VITAMIN B Vitamin B is converted in the body from foods high in Beta carotene. You should eat one cup of the following daily: cabbage, carrot, sweet potatoes, apricot, peach, nectarine, pumpkin and squash.

BREAD and LEGUMES Your will be hungry when pregnant, and bread and legumes, while high in a variety of nutrients, will also keep you satisfied. Eat a variety of granary bread and add canned beans or lentils to your meals.

WATER A normal healthy diet consists of 8 glasses of water a day. Keep this up while pregnant,as being dehydrated will cause stress to your baby, and will also inhibit all of the healthy nutrients which you have been eating.

What To Eat When Pregnant And Nauseous

What to eat when pregnant and nauseous needs different approaches depending on the mother. While it is still not known for sure what causes sickness when pregnant, in some women it can be related to blood sugar levels.

As blood sugar levels take a dive while you sleep, I recommend eating a small meal of carbohydrate and protein right before bed. This could be a bowl of cereal and yogurt or a cheese sandwich. Also, have a salty cracker by your bed and eat it 20 minutes before you get out of bed.

Throughout the day eat small meals which are a combination of protein and carbohydrate. Some women find what to eat when pregnant and sick difficult to determine simply because they are just not hungry. My advice to you is to eat what you feel you can, but ensure it is quality non-processed food, and drink as much water as you can.

What To Eat When Pregnant With Twins

What to eat when pregnant with twins requires the same nutrient balance, but with 600 extra calories then normal. This is quite substantial.

I advise my clients to increase their breakfast lunch and dinner portions by a quarter and to snack on healthy food more throughout the day.

Congratulations on creating new life, and for taking the time to care about what you eat.

This is just a brief list of what to eat when pregnant, and I would recommend that you read further. I always advise my clients to go to the library and read as much as they can. Some E-books are also very helpful, and often come with forums for professional on-line support. I wish you and your family well.