6 Foods You Should Definitely Eat During Pregnancy
Giving life to a baby is one of the most wonderful things that can happen to a woman. If you are pregnant, then you need to take care of your health all the more. Food intake is the most important aspect of pregnancy. Eating healthy food will help the baby to develop well, both physically and mentally. It will also help you to keep fit during and after pregnancy. Here are some foods that you should definitely eat during pregnancy.
1. Iron-rich foods
When you are pregnant, your body needs more iron than when you are not. The developing fetus will take its required amount of iron from your body. Due to this, you would develop deficiency of iron and could also get anaemic which is not good for you post pregnancy when you are breastfeeding your child. So, right from the beginning, add all kinds of cooked beans like red kidney beans, white kidney beans, navy beans, and lentils to your regular diet. Do not overeat or you would suffer from indigestion. Add spinach, beat, and yam to your diet. These are rich sources of iron. Take at least one cup of any of the above foods every day.
2. Protein-rich foods
Protein is essential for the mental growth of the child. It will also help you keep up with the loss of energy and will help you fight against fatigue during pregnancy. Avocado, walnuts, almonds, lentils, eggs, animal protein, milk, peanuts ( if you are not allergic), and sprouts are great sources of protein. Protein must be taken with the prior consultation of the doctor as excess of protein is not good for both the baby and the mother.
3. Foods rich in folic acid
Lack of folic acid in the body is said to harm the child as it helps in the overall development of all the organs of the body. Foods like lentils, spinach, fruits, asparagus, black beans, lettuces, green cabbage, and parsley are great sources of folic acid. If you are planning your baby, then your doctor might suggest you to take folic acid tablets before 4-6 months of conceiving.