Broccoli and dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are prenatal superfoods, loaded with vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and folate. They're also rich in antioxidants and fiber, which can ease constipation.
Vegetables that are dark green such as broccoli, kale, and spinach. Orange vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and winter squash. Yellow vegetables such as corn, yellow peppers, wax beans, and yellow summer squash. Red vegetables such as tomatoes, red peppers, beets, radishes, rhubarb, and red cabbage.
Regularly eating high protein foods -- like fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, peanut butter, nuts and beans –– promotes your baby's healthy brain and heart development. Grains Food like brown rice, quinoa, whole-wheat pasta and oatmeal are great to eat while pregnant.
Produce containing Vitamin C, like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli, support the baby's growth and improves iron absorption. Foods that have iron, such as beans, lentils, green leafy vegetables, meat, and spinach all support the mother's body in making more blood for both mom and baby.
Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, chicken, or fish (such as sushi or raw oysters). Do not eat raw eggs or foods that contain raw eggs, such as Caesar dressing. Do not eat raw sprouts, especially alfalfa sprouts. Do not eat soft cheeses and unpasteurized dairy foods, such as Brie, feta, or blue cheese.
Your nausea and vomiting may be worse than ever: Morning sickness peaks around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy for many women. That's when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest (morning sickness is thought to be linked to rises in hCG and estrogen).
Even though it's called morning sickness, it can last all day and happen any time of day. At least 7 in 10 pregnant women have morning sickness in the first trimester (first 3 months) of pregnancy. It usually starts at about 6 weeks of pregnancy and is at its worst at about 9 weeks.
Avocados also contain higher amounts of several non-essential compounds, such as fiber, monounsaturated fats, and lipid-soluble antioxidants, which have all been linked to improvements in maternal health, birth outcomes and/or breast milk quality.
Child nutritionist Mona Narula took to Instagram to share that cucumbers are one of the “healthiest, low-calorie snacks during pregnancy”. “Not only are they refreshing to eat but also offer numerous health benefits for your baby and you,” she added.
Yogurt is a good source of calcium, which is necessary for the development of your baby's bones and teeth, as well as heart, nerve and muscle function.
Raw or undercooked greens and sprouts
Greens and sprouts are generally great foods to add to the diet as they contain large amounts of fiber and nutrients. However, some greens or sprouts may contain bacteria, such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause infection.
Avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables
To eliminate any harmful bacteria, thoroughly wash all raw fruits and vegetables. Avoid raw sprouts of any kind — including alfalfa, clover, radish and mung bean — which also might contain disease-causing bacteria. Be sure to cook sprouts thoroughly.
Carrots are rich in vitamin C, so eating carrots is good for pregnant women and babies. Prevent anemia Eating carrots every day will help mothers reduce the risk of anemia during pregnancy.
Especially during pregnancy, limit your intake to one small serving (1/4 cup uncooked) of rice per week, and avoid processed rice products such as crackers, cereal, gluten-free baked goods, and rice “milks” — these contain rice from unknown sources and in some cases may be significantly higher in arsenic.
Tomatoes are a good source of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient during pregnancy to ensure your baby develops healthy bones, teeth and gums. Tuck into a tomato alongside iron rich foods such as dark leafy greens or red meat as Vitamin C also helps your body to absorb iron more easily.
First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks)
The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development. During this period, your baby's body structure and organ systems develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period. Your body also undergoes major changes during the first trimester.
Pregnancy hormones, extreme fatigue, nausea and vomiting, tender breasts, and the frequent need to pee are common symptoms that make the first trimester the most challenging time for pregnant women.