Safe, Healthy, Natural Diets for Pregnancies

by Samantha Greenbaum 

Staying healthy during pregnancy is essential for you and your unborn child. Eating a safe diet can improve the health of the baby, and can make it easier for you to recover after childbirth. There are certain foods that doctors advise pregnant mothers to avoid, and there are others recommended for increased consumption. What are the best foods to eat during pregnancy?

Before Conception

To improve your health, start eating a pregnancy diet before you are pregnant. Getting your body into the right mindset and nutritional state can make the conception process easier. Plus, your fetus will start getting the nutrients they need right from the beginning. Your body has several transitions it will go through during pregnancy. When you are healthy and ready for the baby, it is easier for your body to handle these transitions. Including a daily prenatal vitamin can help your growing fetus to gain some of the things it needs, but it is not enough. You must have a healthy dietary intake for the fetus to grow and develop properly.

Foods to Eat

When you are pregnant, it is important to schedule regular check-ups with your doctor. Talk to them about your diet and what foods you need to eat. If you have dietary restrictions, it is important to consult your doctor. They may need to adjust the foods you are eating to ensure the baby is receiving proper nutrients. It is important to increase your intake of healthy protein. Women will need to consume at least 80 grams of protein each day to maintain a healthy pregnancy. This will reduce problems with preeclampsia, and it provides you with more energy. Vegetables and fruits are essential to a developing child.

Look for green leafy vegetables as they have a lot of nutrients that assist in brain development. Healthy fat needs to be consumed to help the brain and organs develop properly. The fats you need to consume are ones that come from meat sources. Olive oil and eggs have healthier fats that can help a baby. Of course, one of the most important things to consume daily is water. Increase your intake of water as the child needs it for proper amniotic fluid. The baby drinks the water you drink, and they need it for their body to develop properly. It is easy for pregnant mothers to become dehydrated. Make sure you consume around a gallon of water a day to stay properly hydrated.

Foods to Avoid

While you may enjoy a morning coffee or afternoon diet coke, you need to limit your intake of caffeine. Caffeine in moderation is approved by most doctors, but several others recommend avoiding it. If you are planning to breast-feed, you will still need to plan on eating a pregnancy diet so you will need to stay away from caffeine longer. Caffeine can make it harder for your body to produce milk, making it hard for your baby to get proper nutrition.

Steer clear of processed foods because they have a number of unhealthy chemicals, will cause constipation, and can cause blood sugar problems. Avoid foods high in sugar and only consume whole grains with low amounts of sugar. Organic fruits, vegetables, and meats have the best sources of nutrition for pregnant women. While you may think you need more food, remember you only need about 300 extra calories a day to provide plenty of nutrition to your baby.

About the Author

Samantha Greenbaum is a health nut and mother of two. If you’re searching for quality medical services that can aid in your pregnancy and birthing, Samantha suggests Prime Urgent Care.