Pregnancy Food

Being pregnant is an exciting time for any expecting mum, and a time when food ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ need to be considered. Pregnant women have a wide variety of options that will nourish babies inside the womb to ensure they have a healthy foundation to their development.

What you should eat

For nutrition

- Protein is an excellent source of nutrition for pregnant women who want to give their babies building blocks for a healthy life. Protein can be found in poultry and lean meat. Popular protein options are oily fish because of the omega-3 fats which are found in them. The benefits of oily fish include a massive injection of protein into your body which helps your baby.

- Vegetables such as broccoli and lentils are fantastic options for pregnant women because they are crammed with nutritious value. Vegetables such as broccoli have vitamins such as vitamin A and C for women who want to increase their vitamin intake during the course of their pregnancies.

- Pregnant women need to eat foods which are rich in calcium which is crucial for bone health and bone density in adults and children. Calcium is found in milk and yoghurt, for example.

For energy

- Starch is your friend when you are pregnant. Starch is the key to having energy because it releases energy throughout the day for you whether you have it for breakfast or in small amounts for lunch. Foods rich in energy-boosting carbohydrates include rice (brown and white varieties), bread and potatoes.

 - Wholegrain carbohydrates are better for pregnant women compared to white carbs because they release energy slower. This will make you feel more vibrant throughout the day without having any lulls in energy.

 - Try super foods such as avocado. It is full of unsaturated fats which act as an energy boosting platform for pregnant women.

 - Oats are a brilliant source of energy for expecting mothers. Oats are full of energy-rich elements such as magnesium and potassium.

What you shouldn’t eat

- Restrict the amount of caffeine that you ingest when you are pregnant. High caffeine intake in pregnant women has been linked to babies who are born with smaller birth weights. Talk to your doctor about the exact amounts of caffeine that is safe for you to take in to keep the health of your baby safe.

- Soft cheeses and blue cheeses should be avoided. This is because the bacteria found in cheeses such as brie could affect your unborn baby. These types of cheese have complex bacteria that should be avoided. Hard cheeses such as cheddar are safe to eat.

- Unpasteurised milk should also not be consumed by women who are pregnant. This is because pasteurised milk is safer for you and your baby to have. Unpasteurised milk is exposed to more bacteria which can affect the health of your baby.

Create a healthy diet for yourself and the baby growing inside of you by choosing nourishing pregnancy foods that give you the building blocks for a healthy baby.