Congratulations on your pregnancy! And welcome to the exciting and sometimes scary journey toward motherhood. So many newly pregnant women are nervous about what to eat and what NOT to eat. I’m here to help with these top 5 best foods for a healthy pregnancy. They’re all nutrition powerhouses that will help keep mom and baby healthy and happy.
1. Avocado
I’m sure you’ve heard this a hundred times already, but avocados are a powerhouse of nutrition. With tons of healthy fats, protein, vitamins & minerals, it is an essential part of your prenatal diet. Enjoy it on its own, as guacamole, on toast, or in a delicious smoothie!
Check out this Creamy Chocolate Wild Blueberry Smoothie from my friend Chelsey over at CitNutritionally.
2. Nuts & Nut Butters
Protein requirements while you’re pregnant are higher than normal (75g – 100g /day) and adding nuts & nut butters to your diet each day can help you meet them. Just a handful of almonds provides you with about 2.5g of protein, a nice bit of fiber, healthy fat & tons of micronutrients. Easily added to you breakfast or as a snack in the afternoon it’s a great boost. Nut butters like almond, peanut & cashew butter are awesome in smoothies or on whole grain toast and can add even more nutrition to your daily diet.
I like this all natural, non-GMO, vegan Smooth Operator Peanut Butter
You might also try Georgia Grinders Cashew Butter
3. Oatmeal
A whole grain, oatmeal is an awesome source of insoluble fiber which can help control your cholesterol levels and keep you regular. Constipation is a common problem for pregnant women, so making sure you have enough fiber in your diet is really important.
Opt for a plain variety like Quaker 1-Minute Oats
4. Leafy Greens
Did you know leafy greens like spinach and kale are a great source of Calcium and Iron? Iron intake is super important during pregnancy, since you’re making more blood to support your growing baby. Pairing dark leafy greens with foods rich in vitamin C (like citrus fruit) is a great way to boost Iron absorption. Try a spinach omelette for breakfast with a fresh orange, yum!
Tossing a handful of spinach into a smoothie is also a great way to get some extra greens.
5. Eggs
And speaking of eggs…another great food during pregnancy, eggs are an amazing source of protein, iron, fat, and the most important…folate. Folate is essential during pregnancy since a deficiency could result in fetal spina bifida. Most processed cereals, breads and rice are fortified with folate which (thankfully) means it’s rare to be deficient in today’s modern food world, but an extra dose from an egg-based breakfast a few times a week couldn’t hurt!
They’ll also boost your daily protein intake which is great since your needs are higher during pregnancy.
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What were your favorite foods while you were pregnant? Did you get enough of these 5 best foods for a healthy pregnancy?
