During pregnancy it is important that your pregnancy diet includes different groups of foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins and calcium.
Table of Contents
Importance of Nutrition in the Pregnancy diet
Iron
Eating foods rich in vitamin c along with iron containing foods will help iron get better absorbed by your body.For example, have a glass of orange juice at breakfast with Moong sprouts pesarattu.
Good sources of this nutrient include:
- Dry fruits
- Leafy greens especially drumstick leaves
- Beans
- Liver
- Jaggary
- Egg yolk
- Fish
Benefits
- Iron-rich foods should be consumed in order to prevent from anaemia.
- Helps to secrete more blood to mother and baby during pregnancy.
Calcium
Diet rich in calcium is adviced ( a minimum of 3 glasses of milk should be taken 400-500ml).Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium.
- Milk
- Spinach
- Carrot
- Beetroot
- Custard apple
- Soya beans
Benefits
- Calcium is essential for baby’s bones and teeth growth.
Folic acid
Folic acid is more important during the early months of pregnancy.
- Tomato
- Green vegetables
- Egg
- Orange
- Banana
- Nuts
- Cauliflower
- Onion
Benefits
- Folic acid is essential for baby’s brain and spinal cord growth.
Protein
Protein is essential throughtout pregnancy beacause your needs for protein increase by one third when you are pregnant.Protein intake should increase by 25g per day.(average 70-90 g protein).Consumption of milk and eggs help in meeting increased protein requirement.
- Milk
- Fish
- Egg
- Whole grain
- Peas
- Nuts
- Panner
Benefits
- Protein helps the baby to grow normally.
- Protein helps to maintain mothers blood sugar level
- Women who eat lots of protein during pregnancy helps to keep the mother lean.
Vitamin D
- milk
- egg
- fish
Benefits
- Vitamin D is essential for baby’s bones and teeth growth.
Vitamin C
- Broccoli
- Citrus fruits
- Kiwi
- Tomato
- Strawberry
Benefits
- Vitamin C is important for the effective functioning of immune system.
- Reduces the risk of iron deficiency.
Carbohydrates
- Potato
- Banana
- Rice
- Wheat
- Ragi
- Jaggery
- Finger millet/Ragi/Kelvaragu
- Pearl millet/Kambu
- White millet/Cholam
Benefits
- Helps to maintain blood sugar level.
- Provides energy to your body.
Foods to avoid
- Avoid sugar.
- Avoid smoking or alcohol intake.
- Uncooked foods.
- Fat rich foods.
- Limit intake of tea and coffee.
- unpasteurized dairy.
- raw meats and seafood.
Also, read Diet plan for pregnant woman(click here to read)