Congratulations!! Becoming a mother is one of the most fulfilling experiences of a lifetime. There’s no doubt you are displaying that beautiful glow and radiating soothing vibes around you.
Carrying that little miracle inside you can be amazing and tiring at the same time. You are essentially “eating for two”- not always necessarily by quantity but rather by quality.
But that can be confusing with nearly every single person you meet telling you what to eat and what to avoid! Contradictions in advice and confusion on what to eat and what to not eat the healthy food during pregnancy can make you feel like you have very limited options in food!
But fret not! There is hope, milady, and you may not have to sacrifice a lot of your favorite foods during your incredible nine-month journey.
The approach is to eat right, and to eat from different food groups everyday to avoid missing out, and of course, to avoid the boring monotony of the same set of meals every day.
The Munchies
Your pregnancy diet can be made scrumptious. As among other cravings, you’re very likely to want to snack and eat between meals. This works out really well with a number of fruit servings you need to have every day.
Make sure to incorporate five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day, ranging from dark green veggies to at least one citrus fruit.
Morning Meals
As you are more likely to have morning sickness in the first trimester, it is recommended you eat a light breakfast and go for a bigger meal later during the day.
You can also make things easier to digest and keep your nutrition levels up by breaking down your daily healthy foods to eat during your pregnancy into six different meal times.
Later Meals
Towards your third trimester, you’ll be able to tolerate heavier meals at the start of the day. So it would be wise to eat lighter as night sets in, as you’ll be more prone to heartburn or indigestion during this time.
The Mommy-to-be’s Food Pyramid
Make your meals varied and colorful to ensure you aren’t missing out on any important food groups.
- Cereals, Pulses, Nuts. If you are a vegetarian, you can make really good use of this food group as pulses form a rich source of protein for vegetarians. Stock up on dry fruits and nuts, along with some palatable cereals that suit your appetite.
- Milk and Dairy Products. Always make sure you buy pasteurized milk and milk products as it ensures safe sterilization of any possible contaminants in the dairy produce. Skimmed milk, yogurt, buttermilk and low-fat cheeses are good for your glowing self.
- Fruits and Vegetables. Make sure you keep this food group colorful to include all the vitamins, minerals and fiber you can get from them. A colorful platter of this food group ensures a well-planned pregnancy diet.
- Fish, Poultry and other meats These form and provide the intricate proteins that are essential for your baby. However, if you are a vegetarian, make a thorough consultation with your doctor or dietician in order to have all you need. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be serious, and as this is found mostly in non-vegetarian diet, you might want to ask your doctor about the proper supplements.
- Oils and good fats. Avoid saturated fats that remain in solid form at room temperature and swap them for desirable unsaturated fats instead. Eat avocados, nuts, peanut butter which are the sources of good fats. You’ll thank yourself later when you feel fitter and lighter despite carrying that joyful little bun!
- Fluids. Stay well hydrated by drinking enough water and getting fluids from other safe sources like home-squeezed juices, filtered water, and soups. Take care to use clean bottles when you carry water when you venture out, as it is easy to get water-borne infections from unsafe water and fluid products.
Food Villains Ninja Mommy Should Avoid.
- Caffeine and alcohol. While caffeine is still up for some debate, it is recommended to have a really low amount of caffeine a few times a week. There is no safe limit for alcohol that’s been established, so its best avoided completely.
- Unpasteurized dairy products. It is utmost essential to steer clear of these bacteria-prone carriers. Always be careful to check the labels before you buy them. Also, avoid meals containing cottage cheese if you happen to eat out. You never know how careful or careless the food handlers might be.
- Large seafood. With all the mercury and lead that accumulates in living tissues, longer living seafood, including several of the big fish species, carry a risk of having higher mercury content.
- Raw, Undercooked and Stale Food. A serious no-no for food during pregnancy. With the high chances of microbes thriving on these negligently prepared rations, there are always several possible types of infections which can be serious while pregnant.
Putting A Wrap Around Your Delectable Plate.
Now that we have covered what to avoid and what to indulge in, have fun chalking out a weekly diet chart with your doctor, making sure to include several healthy snacks. Food to eat in pregnancy need not be droning and bland, as there are several tasty combinations right in your pantry!
Explore book stores for special editions of pregnancy cuisines and turn your kitchen into a chef’s dreamy nook. There’s a whole world out there, holding up their dishes just for you to try out. With a few changes here and there, you are sure to invent something new of your own- besides your new bundle!
Of Course, There’s More Than Food.
Get good rest, stay active but do not overdo anything. Watch your favorite shows and read a good book. Most importantly, enjoy this beautiful experience day by day as you draw closer and closer to becoming nature’s amazing miracle machine that is capable of bringing a new life into this world.
And remember, you have every right to demand being pampered and treated like royalty! Leave it to the daddies to take on the home ministry affairs for a while.