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I warned you first about some foods to avoid during pregnancy. The good news is that, minus that short list, the world of food is open and ready for your consumption! Those often talked about cravings that are rumored to accompany pregnancy aren’t just a rumor! You might find yourself longing for a candy bar one moment and then desperately needing Mexican food in the next thought. While it’s fun to indulge, it’s also important to remember to eat certain things while pregnant. Eating healthy can help ensure that both you and your baby are as healthy as possible!
The question then remains: what are some healthy foods that can benefit you and your child?
The most important thing to remember when it comes to healthy pregnancy diet (or any phase of your life) is to eat a variety of foods. While you might very well be craving Snickers bars, eating them for every meal with nothing else is not particularly conducive to a healthy, weight-appropriate pregnancy.
As an added tip, eating foods that are high in fiber will help combat the extra iron that you are taking when it comes to difficulty passing stool. Think lots of fresh fruit, whole-grain breads and even those yogurts with added fiber. You will feel better if you’re getting enough fiber.
Get a little bit more calcium than prior to your pregnancy. Why? Your baby needs a lot of calcium as they develop. They’re going to be stealing any of what you’re taking in! Did you know that calcium helps with clotting, something you need to be sure to do after delivery? Drink some extra milk or take a calcium supplement with your prenatal vitamin each morning.
Be sure you’re getting enough iron. There should be extra iron in your prenatal vitamins. If you’re one of the unfortunate souls that gets sick each time you take the extra iron, consider getting it through your food sources. The easiest and best sources of iron include enriched grain products, lean meat, poultry, fish, and leafy green vegetables. In fact, liver (not yours!) is the best source of iron absorption when consumed. When I was anemic too close to the birth of my oldest son, my mother-in-law made me liver and brussels sprouts. My house smelled horrible but I got my iron up!
Really, the trick to eating healthy during pregnancy is to make good food choices. Sure, a few pieces of pizza today aren’t going to do harm. A candy bar here or there isn’t going to undo all the hard work you have done to keep your baby healthy. The key is to also be eating healthy things. Add in a leafy green salad with those pieces of pizza. Drink a big glass of milk with your candy bar. Don’t forget to take a walk after meals as well to aid with digestion and keep your weight gain in check.
The healthier you are when it comes to time to labor, the easier you will find it to deliver your baby. Whether you plan to parent or place your baby, bouncing back quickly after delivery is important to all mothers. Being as a healthy as possible can help in that way.
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