Food to Eat during Pregnancy

Pregnancy is not the stage of your life intended for you to gain weight. Forget the old saying about eating for two and begin to learn about the food to eat during pregnancy. Obstetricians and nutritionists agree and recommend increasing your intake of calories by 300 calories a day instead of eating without good judgment. Eating empty and fattening calories is not necessary and is not healthy for you or the baby.

In the United States it is estimated that 6 million of women are pregnant every year and 3 million of them are overweight and even obese because they do not make a wise selection of the food to eat during pregnancy. Considering these figures, you must make sure to watch your diet.

Nutritious foods to eat during pregnancy can easily be found online, printed magazines or from your doctor, nutritionist or health care provider, who can design a dietary plan for your particular needs. Adding 300 calories to your diet does not mean that you can add junk food to your meals or for in between snacks.

Because your developing baby will get all nourishment from you, it is necessary for you to understand nutrition. Food to eat during pregnancy should include something from all the food groups to configure a well balanced diet.

Eat fruit, vegetables, whole grain, fish, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. Remember that you need nutritional foods during pregnancy, but also folic acid, particularly during the first trimester and even before conceiving. Folic acid protects your baby, preventing neural tube defects among other congenital malformations.

When planning the food to eat during pregnancy you should include green vegetables, orange juice, lentils, beans, rice and peas, which are rich in folic acid, along with fruit. Otherwise, your doctor may recommend the daily intake of 400 micrograms supplement of folic acid, in addition to iron, zinc and calcium, necessary for the development of the embryo.