Food is an essential thing that supports our life. It provides us with much-needed energy. But it also provides us with exceptional satisfaction! However, when you are pregnant you can't eat everything you crave for! This text is made for all of you who might be interested in the pregnancy diet!

When you learn that you are pregnant, everyone around you becomes super happy! Have you noticed it? And everyone expects you to be at least as happy as they are, and often even more. And indeed, some women are glowing during pregnancy. However, for many women around the globe, pregnancy comes with a unique emotional and physical rollercoaster.

On one hand, you are probably thrilled that you are going to become a mom. On another, you are also terrified of how your life is going to change. Then, you might be wondering whether you will manage to be the parent you want to be and satisfy your little one's needs. Finally, you are worried about whether you are doing everything to keep yourself and the baby healthy.

The part that of that concern is related to food, of course. In general, we enjoy eating and experimenting with food. Under regular conditions, this is perfectly fine, and in most cases, we can eat whatever we want. But things change with pregnancy. Now, you have to pay more attention to what you eat as some foods can make you feel bad. But more importantly, they can cause bigger health issues for you and the baby.

Our focus today is related to pregnancy diet. We became curious about it during our pregnancies and decided to research to get as much information as possible. That gave us the sensation of being in control of our and our kids' health and development. We were so impressed by our findings of pregnancy food and nutrition that we immediately had the desire to share them with you.

What is a Healthy Pregnancy Diet

Before we start talking more specifically about some types of food, let’s see what diet is best for pregnancy. So basically, while pregnant you need to make sure that you eat a nutrient-rich diet so the baby can grow and develop properly. Besides that, you have to provide yourself enough nutrients so you go through all the changes that come with pregnancy in good health. A pregnancy diet for a healthy baby and mom needs to focus on a healthy, balanced intake of carbs, proteins, and fat. Keep in mind is that balance is very important. Many women are under the impression they are eating for two when they are pregnant. Hence they believe that they need to eat more. That is not exactly true. Indeed we need to increase our calorie intake. But it needs to come from nutritiously dense food instead of junk and processed food that contain only empty calories. Now let’s see what experts from Top Mom say about what foods to eat for a healthy pregnancy.

What to Eat

Lentils

Lentils have amazing nutritional values and they are very high in vitamin B9, folate, iron, protein, etc. Lentils are also among foods rich in zinc for pregnancy. All of these nutrients are critical for the good health of pregnant women and their growing babies. Lentils come in different tastes so it should be simple to find something that you like.

Eggs

Eggs are affordable for everyone, aren't they? Not only they are easy to prepare, but you can cook them in about a hundred different ways without investing too much time or energy.  Then, they are an excellent source of proteins. They come with a plethora o minerals and vitamins. Among other nutrients, they contain choline which is essential for a baby's brain development. Apart from that, eggs reduce the risk of weight gain and a condition called pre-eclampsia.

Kale

It is one of the most potent pregnancy diet vegetables. Many people label it as a superfood. However, it is essential to know that kale also tastes super healthy! You can probably guess what we mean by that, right? However, there are cooking techniques to get rid of the sulfuric smell and enjoy this fascinating plant.  Kale is low in calories yet rich in nutrients like fiber, calcium, vitamins A, C, and K, etc.

What to Avoid

Fish High in Mercury

People, eating fish, like swordfish with a high level of mercury, end up with a lot of mercury in their bloodstream. That can cause severe problems for the baby and the mother. It can damage the mother's lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. In the case of a child, mercury can impair brain development.

Unpasteurized Cheese

Cheese is an excellent source of protein, and as such, it is beneficial for pregnant women. However, you always need to make sure that it is pasteurized. If not, cheese can be contaminated with bacteria Escherichia coli or Listeria. Both of these bacteria can cause food poisoning, which is often mild. However, during pregnancy, it can grow into a life-threatening condition.

Alcohol

It is commonplace that pregnant women should avoid alcohol at any cost. It shouldn't be part of the pregnancy diet for the first trimester because it can cause facial impairments. But drinking alcohol at any point when you are pregnant increases the risk of severe growth and central nervous issues.

Conclusion

That is all about pregnancy diet for today, folks. Maybe you feel amazing during your pregnancy and don't think that you need to change. However, we want you to stay that way, and therefore it is advised that you make changes in your diet that will guarantee you and your little one perfect health. Can you think of some other foods that you need to eat more or avoid?