Pregnancy Diet

Once a woman finds out she is expecting a baby, she is going to have to learn a whole new way of eating and nutrition on her pregnancy diet. The body needs all the nutrients it can get to support the pregnancy and nurture the growing baby, as well as keep the mother healthy. Learning which foods may be harmful to the baby, and avoiding them during the pregnancy is very important.

Getting Enough Protein

Along with the nutritional value they provide, dairy products are a major protein source, and should be included in the pregnancy diet. The calcium found in these foods, along with vitamins and fat a body needs is essential. Eating eggs, drinking milk, and adding cheese to the diet can supply the body with the protein it needs. Yogurt is especially good for the mother because it contains B vitamins, protein and zinc. As long as all the dairy products that are consumed are pasteurized, there is no harmful bacterium to cause possible harm to the baby.

Fresh Foods

Fresh fruits and vegetables are good for anyone to eat, but especially healthy for pregnant women. They contain a high amount of vitamins and minerals, as well as supplying the body with needed carbohydrates. Leafy greens and sweet potatoes have higher levels of folate and fiber, along with vitamin C. Berries are a great source of antioxidants and also make a wonderful snack that is healthy and good for the pregnant woman. Eating these foods will help to avoid certain pregnancy related problems such as constipation, tiredness, or low blood sugar. Make sure all fresh fruits and vegetables are washed thoroughly before eating.

Other Essential Foods

Lean meat is important to the pregnancy diet, along with legumes (or beans). The meat is loaded with protein and B vitamins and should always be thoroughly cooked. If rare or even medium cooked meat is a favorite, abstaining from this is very important while pregnant. Even lunch meats from the corner deli should be avoided because they may contain listeria, which is a bacteria that is harmful. Any kind of beans are good to eat because of the carbohydrates and fiber they contain, as well as folate, calcium and of course, protein. Peanuts are good and make a good afternoon snack.

Eating Seafood

A lot has been written about eating seafood while on a pregnancy diet. While the high levels of omega fatty acids help to support a healthy diet, there are also pollutants such as mercury that are found in seafood. Certain fish need to be excluded completely from the diet while pregnant. Mackerel and Swordfish are two such kinds that are not good to eat while expecting, along with any kind of smoked fish products. It might be a good idea to speak with the doctor if there are any concerns about eating seafood.

The doctor can provide a list of foods that are good to eat, and those that should not be eaten while pregnant.