Best foods during pregnancy
We are what we eat, so goes the saying which, therefore, means we ought to pay so much attention to what goes into our bodies. If individuals have the task of ensuring a healthy intake, what more with pregnant women who have the onus of ensuring that the life of the unborn one is safe?
It is not easy to talk about healthy eating to pregnant women because of the many cravings that come with it.
Most people who, prior to falling pregnant, were cautious of healthy diets fall into the cravings trap once they fall pregnant.
Cravings or not, but healthy eating is a must in expectant women because of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that a developing baby needs. In fact, the benefits of a healthy diet are not only the baby’s, but the mother’s too.
Nutritional therapist Marigold Ndicho Katsande recommends a healthy diet for a smooth pregnancy journey.
“It is important for expectant women to eat healthy for a trouble free pregnancy. The pregnancy journey becomes exciting, the delivery easy and the baby born is usually healthy,” she said.
Katsande further says the fruits of a healthy diet are enjoyed even after delivery.
“Women who invest in healthy eating are assured of good milk supply after delivery and the baby does not get sick often. In fact, the goodness trickles down to the entire family. This is applicable to both first and experienced mothers,” she said.
According to Katsande, pregnancy is a good time to depend on organic foods to avoid exposing mothers to antibiotics, artificial hormones, pesticides and genetically modified feed found in many non-organic meats, produce, grain and dairy products.
Here are five important organic foods to include in your diet when pregnant, according to justthefactsbaby.com:
If you eat beef during pregnancy then choose organic beef. The meat from grass-fed, organically raised cattle tends to be leaner overall and has about five times the omega-3s of its conventional counterpart. Omega-3 fatty acids are important during pregnancy and research shows they play an important role in fetal brain development.
The same principle applies in the choice of milk. Milk from organic, pasture-fed cows is produced without antibiotics, artificial hormones, or pesticides, and can also provide extra omega-3s and beta-carotene.
Elizabeth Ward dietician and author of Expect the Best, Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During and After Pregnancy recommends eggs.
“It is amazing what you get in one egg for only about 90 calories. In addition to more than 12 vitamins and minerals, eggs contain lots of quality protein, which is essential for pregnancy. Your baby’s cells are growing at an exponential rate, and every cell is made of protein,” “Plus, as a pregnant woman, you have your own protein needs.” Ward explains.
Katsande concludes by advising pregnant women to add a lot of organic fruits to their diet. Unhealthy mothers have unhealthy pregnancies and bear unhealthy children.
