Your pregnant plate is all about optimal nutrition as baby grows!
Your baby relies on you to provide the nutrition necessary for healthy growth and development. And what you eat also keeps you healthy. Lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, dairy and whole grains are your best bets for more energy, to feel better and be healthier during and after pregnancy.
Take in at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day to prevent the most common spinal cord birth defects—you can get this through the foods you choose, like leafy greens, and daily prenatal vitamins.
For constipation, try increasing the fiber in your diet through more leafy greens, vegetables and whole grains. Experts at the USDA’s “ChooseMyPlate.gov” recommend the following foods especially during pregnancy for the healthiest diet possible:
Lean Proteins
- Beans and peas
- Nuts and seeds
- Salmon, trout, herring, sardines, and pollock
- Lean beef, lamb, and pork
- Shellfish
Vegetables
- Greens, including spinach, kale, collards, turnip greens, and beet greens
- Sweet potatoes
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Tomatoes and tomato sauces
- Sweet peppers
Fruits
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew melon
- Mangoes
- Prunes
- Bananas
- Apricots
- Oranges
- Red or pink grapefruit
- 100% prune juice or orange juice
Dairy
- Fat-free or low-fat yogurt
- Fat-free milk (skim milk)
- Low-fat milk (1% milk)
- Calcium-fortified soymilk
Whole Grains
- Fortified ready-to-eat cereals and breads
- Fortified cooked cereals
Avoid These Foods in Pregnancy
- Alcohol—there is no safe limit in pregnancy
- Caffeine—limit as possible; some experts say up to 12 ounces may ok
- Cold cuts and soft cheese—these can contain the bacteria listeria that can harm your pregnancy
- Fishes high in mercury—shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish
- White albacore tuna should be limited to no more than 6 ounces a week because of mercury
- High-fat, sugary junk foods and drinks—just say no!
- Unpasteurized foods are a no-no for pregnant women as they could make you very sick
- Undercooked meats and eggs should be avoided—make sure all meats are cooked thoroughly (that means no sushi!)
Watch: Why Does The Nurse Check My Urine, Blood Pressure and Weight at Every Prenatal Visit?
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