There are many healthy foods to eat during pregnancy week by week. Pregnancy is a time when you should eat well and make sure that you are eating healthy. This article should help you figure out what foods to eat during pregnancy.
Foods to Eat During Pregnancy Week by Week
Your pregnancy is a time of excitement and change. You want to eat right and make healthy choices, but you also want to be sure your diet is diverse enough to provide you with the nutrients you need during such a crucial time. So, it’s important to know what foods to eat weekly during pregnancy.
Foods are categorised by their nutritional value based on the number of calories they contain per serving and the percentage of those calories that come from carbohydrates, protein and fat.
The first trimester of pregnancy is a great time to start eating healthy. But what exactly are the best foods to eat during your pregnancy? Here’s a list of foods you can enjoy each week of your pregnancy.
Pregnant beautiful girl holds apple, takes good care of herself by eating healthy foods.
Foods to Eat When Pregnant First Trimester
The first trimester of pregnancy is a great time to start eating healthy. But what exactly are the best foods to eat during your pregnancy? Here’s a list of foods to eat during pregnancy week by week.
The first trimester of pregnancy is when many women start feeling nauseous and exhausted, so it’s important to eat foods that are easy on the stomach. Start with some crackers or toast for breakfast, then keep it light for lunch and dinner with soup or salad. If you’re craving something sweet, try fresh fruit instead of chocolate cake!
Here are some foods to try:
- Toast with peanut butter and jelly or cream cheese will help settle your stomach and give your body the necessary nutrients. You can also try crackers with peanut butter or hummus on them as well.
- Bananas are full of potassium and carbohydrates, which may help reduce nausea and fatigue when eaten regularly throughout the day. Bananas also contain B6 vitamins, which help relieve morning sickness and loss of appetite in early pregnancy.
- Ginger ale is another good choice for morning sickness because it contains carbonation that can help relieve nausea by stimulating digestive enzymes in the stomach walls; ginger has also been shown to relieve nausea.
Foods to Eat When Pregnant Second Trimester
As you get into the second trimester of pregnancy, you’ll feel much better physically and emotionally. This is when you should start adding more variety to your daily meals. Steer clear of caffeine and alcohol (especially during the first three months).
But otherwise, have fun experimenting with different flavours! As you move into the second trimester, you’ll be able to eat more foods that are higher in iron, protein, and calcium. Here’s a list of some of the best choices of foods to eat during pregnancy week by week.:
- Lean red meat (beef, lamb)
- Poultry (chicken breast)
- Fish (salmon, tuna)
- Beans and legumes (lentils, chickpeas)
- Eggs
Foods to Eat When Pregnant Third Trimester
Most women have trouble finding comfortable clothes in the third trimester because their bellies have grown so large! That’s why it’s important to ensure you get enough nutrients through proper nutrition to boost your energy levels, avoid nausea and vomiting, and keep your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy. Learn about what foods to eat during pregnancy week by week.
Here are some foods that you should eat during your third trimester:
- Salmon (a great source of protein)
- Spinach (a good source of iron, B vitamins and folate)
- Avocados (high in vitamin C and folate)
- Eggs (these contain vitamin D and protein)
- Milk (this is a good source of calcium which helps build strong bones and teeth for your baby!)
Best Vegetables to Eat During Pregnancy
If there are recommended foods to eat during pregnancy week by week, some vegetables are best avoided during pregnancy. But before reaching for your gas mask (or, you know, just turn back to our homepage), let’s talk about the ones that are safe and good for you!
Here are some of the best vegetables to eat during pregnancy
This vegetable is one of the most popular choices for pregnant women because it contains vitamins and nutrients such as C and folic acid. It also helps maintain healthy skin and hair.
Cabbage helps prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It’s also a good source of fibre and vitamin K, which helps build strong bones in babies.
Green leafy vegetables | Image from Pexels
Carrots contain lots of beta-carotene, which gives them their orange colour and can help lower stress levels in pregnant women by regulating hormones like cortisol, so they don’t go too high or too low, which can cause problems like preeclampsia or even miscarriage later on down the road if left untreated! So it’s better to be safe than sorry about carrots during pregnancy!
Kale is packed with vitamins A and C, folate, and iron. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling in your body (which is especially helpful during pregnancy).
Pregnancy Super Foods
Pregnancy is a time of change, and it’s important to ensure that you eat the right foods. Here are some of the most important pregnancy superfoods:
Apples contain antioxidants that help prevent premature ageing, reduce heart disease risk and keep your skin looking young and vibrant. They also contain fibre, which helps with digestion.
Avocados are rich in folate, potassium and vitamin B6. They’re also high in healthy fats, which can help protect against certain cancers.
Beans are packed full of protein and fibre. They can help you feel fuller for longer, which makes them perfect for keeping your energy levels high during pregnancy!
Blueberries are full of vitamins C and K and iron and calcium. Blueberries can help boost memory performance while also protecting against cancer cell growth!
These little fruits have a lot going for them—they taste great, are full of antioxidants, and are packed with fibre. But their most important contribution might be their ability to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help prevent heart disease and cancer later in life.
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavanols that help protect against cardiovascular disease. They also lower blood pressure, which means an easier pregnancy (and less stress on the baby). Plus, cravings are often triggered by hormones like serotonin or tryptophan, so dark chocolate can help you satisfy those cravings without reaching for something unhealthy!
Oats contain beta-glucan fibre, which helps lower cholesterol levels and increases good cholesterol (HDL). This means better heart health overall—especially since high cholesterol during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects in babies.
READ MORE:
Food Pyramid for Pregnant Woman: What to Eat and What to Avoid
Is Canned Food Safe for Pregnant Women? Here’s What You Need to Know
15 Foods and Drinks All Pregnant Mums Should Avoid For Baby’s Health
Foods to Avoid While Pregnant
The following list includes some foods you should avoid, as well as some foods that are safe for pregnant women:
- Alcohol
- Soft Cheese
- Raw or Undercooked Meat
- Unpasteurized Dairy Products
- Fish With Mercury (Swordfish, Shark, Tilefish)
During your pregnancy, you will have several different nutrient needs.
You may be wondering what nutrients are most important for you to take in during pregnancy. A good start is to eat a balanced diet with plenty of lean protein and whole grains. You also should get plenty of calcium-rich foods like dairy products and leafy greens.
You should also make sure you’re drinking enough water each day because dehydration can lead to headaches and other issues with your health. And don’t forget about getting enough sleep!
Image Source: iStock
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