Foods To Eat When Pregnant: Make Good Food Choices For Your Baby

Pregnancy is often a time in a woman's life when much anxiety, nervousness and anticipation takes place. There are many fears and concerns that an expecting mother has, these fears generally being focused on the pending delivery and the health and well-being of her developing child. One of the most common fears for the mother is the worry of doing something or consuming something that is harmful to the growing fetus. Most mothers worry about birth defects and underdeveloped babies. Learning about the best foods to eat when pregnant is one way to calm this fear.

The most nutritious foods to eat when pregnant include foods that are enriched in high quality proteins. Protein is essential for organ, nerve and muscle development, and it is recommended that you consume two to three servings every day. Proteins can be found in meat, fish, poultry and eggs, as well as high quality dairy products.

High quality dairy products are also a great source of calcium, which can be found in milk, cheese, butter and cream, as well as calcium-fortified foods like soy milk, juices, breads and cereals. Calcium helps create strong bones and teeth, helps prevent blood clots and helps muscle and nerve function. Each day you will need approximately 1000 to 1300 mg of calcium in your diet.

Essential foods to eat when pregnant will always contain vitamin C. Vitamin C foods include oranges, broccoli, grapefruits, green peppers, tomatoes and strawberries. The goal should be to consume 70 mg daily. Vitamin C supports the growth of the baby and helps to build a healthy immune system, as well as aiding tissue repair and healing for the mother.

Vitamin A foods for consideration are carrots, spinach, beets, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes and winter squash. Vitamin A assists in the development of the lungs, visual system, brain and kidneys, as well as the absorption of calcium, vitamins and proteins from their food sources.

Folic acid enriched foods include peas and beans and dark leafy vegetables. Pregnant women need 0.4 mg of folic acid each day, and it is essential for neural tube and brain development.

The list of foods to eat when pregnant must include beef, pork, dried beans, spinach and dried fruit, as these foods are excellent sources of iron, of which you need 27mg daily. Iron helps to prevent anaemia, as well as low birth weight and premature delivery.

Last but not least it's very important for the pregnant mother to remain hydrated. This can be achieved by the regular intake of fruit and vegetable juices, soups, filtered water and caffeine-free and sugar-free soft drinks. Staying hydrated has many benefits including the timely removal of toxins from the body and reduced possibility of bladder infections and constipation.

By diligently educating yourself on the correct foods to eat when pregnant and subsequently managing your pregnancy diet correctly, you will be taking a significant step in enhancing your health and more importantly the health of your developing fetus. Isn't this all that any mother wants?