When a women becomes pregnant and starts experiencing changes in her body, the natural instinct and through process turns towards eating to feed for two. Although it’s important to adjust the diet to compensate for the additional need, it’s of similar importance to understand knowing the correct foods to eat during pregnancy to ensure the baby’s health and well being throughout the full term and birth.
According to guidelines set forth by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a number of vitamin supplements are essential components in choosing the correct foods to eat during pregnancy.
Essential foods to eat during pregnancy should include foods that contain Vitamin A, D, and Beta Carotene. Milk, eggs, vegetables and yellow fruits are examples of foods containing these vital nutrients, which help to develop bones and teeth, and provide the baby with necessary calcium and phosphorus requirements.
Other essential foods to eat during pregnancy should also contain groups of foods high in Vitamin E content, which helps to promote creation of red blood cells and muscle development. Vegetable oils, fortified cereals and wheat germ will provide the body with these necessary nutrients.
Foods to eat during pregnancy should also contain healthy levels of thiamin, which helps the body to create higher levels of energy, and also helps to monitor the nervous system. A great number of healthy foods can be consumed that contain thiamin, including red meats, eggs, rice, and pasta, among others.
Many women will experience morning sickness, especially during the first trimester. Foods to eat during pregnancy during this phase include foods rich with pyridoxine, which help ease that nausea. Chicken, certain types of fish, liver, and many vegetables contain this vital nutrient.
Folic acid is another nutrient important during the pregnancy cycle, as it helps to provide support for the placenta and helps to prevent other neural tube defect. Foods to eat during pregnancy containing folic acid include oranges, broccoli, green leafy vegetables (lettuces and spinach) and pasta.
Foods to eat during pregnancy that are rich in the nutrients described above are key components to ensuring that you and your baby will get off to a great start together in life, and will also serve both mother and child well throughout the course of their lives.