There seems to be some mysterious shroud surrounding pregnancy eating. What would you say if I told you that there is little difference between what to eat during pregnancy and what you should eat all the time? Unfortunately, most of us have been swayed from healthy eating habits via modern advertising.
If you have been eating a well balanced diet that has eliminated artificial ingredients, includes plenty of the right things and is based on sound nutritional choices, you have little to change.
If, on the other hand, your diet is filled with things such as soda, sugar, artificial sweeteners, highly process ingredients and such, we have a long way to go.
Start with the Basics
Do you know how to eat properly? Take a look in your cupboards and it is easy to tell. What do you have in them? The typical individual will have a collection of preprocessed, artificial foods that offer little by way of nutrition.
Sugar laden cereals and refined grains and pasta. Chips, dips and sweets may line the shelves. If this is your kitchen, you will need to make strides towards nutritious eating in general, not just for your pregnancy.
On the other hand if you have stocked up with whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa and oatmeal and have eliminated sugars and refined foods you are well on your way. Let's look at some food basics that will help you now and later in life as well.
Why Whole Grains?
From the perspective of pregnancy, whole grains contain plenty of good fiber that helps keep the digestive tract moving along. Constipation is a common complaint, especially later in pregnancy. Eating plenty of fiber helps alleviate the problem. Add to the fiber issue the fact that whole grains contain many more nutrients than refined grains and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this is a better choice.
Get your Fish
Even if you aren't fond of fish, pregnancy is a time to seriously consider eating fish regularly. Protein is one of those essential building blocks you will need for yourself and your baby. It helps build a good blood supply and muscles tissue as well as other important bits and pieces. Fish has other benefits as well.
Fish is brain food, in the most basic sense. The fats in fish help build a healthy nervous system and some studies indicate that children who are born to women who eat 12 of more ounces of fish weekly during pregnancy are actually smarter.
If you can't stand the idea of a fish fillet, perhaps chowder will work. Tuna isn't a bad choice either, as long as you watch your intake - it can be high in mercury. Try different fishes, you are bound to find one that you like.
Calcium and Iron
Did you notice I didn't say milk? That is because commercial milk is a really poor way to get calcium. You can get much more calcium from dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli and spinach. T
his form of calcium is also accompanied by good levels of iron, another thing most pregnant women struggle to get. If you combine your calcium rich foods with something that contains vitamin C you will up the absorption rate too - so have an orange with that meal and you do double duty.
Of course there is a lot more to know than just these few tips. If your goal is a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and avoiding tremendous weight gain during your gestation, it pays to find out all you can. It isn't hard to figure out what to eat during pregnancy, as long as you use common sense and get a little help from a nutritionist who specializes in healthy eating.
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