During the course of your pregnancy, your developing baby changes dramatically –from a tiny cluster of cells into a recognisable individual. Most of the growth in utero is physical, though this physical development sets the stage for all the things your developing baby will be able to do at a later stage. In this special time, pregnancy nutrition plays an important role in the development of your baby’s body and brain. Let’s take a closer look and learn more about what healthy food to eat during pregnancy.
In these critical months, your baby’s brain will grow to hold nearly 200 billion neurons, or brain cells, and he’ll already be learning things like the sound of your voice and the tastes he experiences in the amniotic fluid. He’ll also be getting ready by storing essential nutrients like iron and DHA.
Remember that you can encourage your baby’s development by taking good care of yourself. Nothing is more important than good pregnancy nutrition and following your doctor’s advice.
The Importance of Pregnancy Nutrition
Knowing what food to eat during pregnancy not only fuels the growing life within you now, but it can also have a direct impact on your child’s future development. All of the building blocks for your child’s development are delivered through you, by way of the foods you eat and the supplements you take.
With the right pregnancy nutrition, your child will store enough of what he receives in the womb to meet his needs during his first months of life.
Here’s a look at some of the key nutrients (and the foods that contain them) that nurture your child’s development in the womb.
Pregnancy Nutrition Tips
1. For an after-dinner treat: Pop fruit in the freezer.
The next time you bring home grapes or strawberries from the grocery store, instead of putting them straight in the refrigerator, wash a portion, remove the stems or caps, and place the prepared fruit in the freezer. This way, whenever you’re craving something sweet and refreshing, you can reach for the whole fruit. Fruits provide you and your developing baby with important nutrients, like fiber and vitamin C, which is important for pregnancy nutrition.1-3 And because fruits are naturally sweet, they’re ideal for desserts and fast snacks.
2. When you can’t stomach anything: Go for the grains.
Bread and pasta sounding better than anything else these days? If you’re dealing with morning sickness, sticking with plain, bland food can help ease your stomach.4 But to keep up your pregnancy nutrition, choose whole grain varieties. Try swapping out at least half of your daily refined grains (like white bread) for whole grains (such as whole wheat bread and tortillas, brown rice, and oatmeal).5
3. Busy days at work: Sneak in a satisfying snack with calcium.
If you’re looking for a quick but nutritious snack to enjoy at work, try high-calcium options, like cheese cubes, string cheese, or a container of plain or Greek yogurt. (Choose low-fat or fat-free versions.) Calcium is important for pregnancy nutrition because it keeps bones and teeth strong and helps support your developing baby's development.1, 2 When it comes to yogurt, it’s smart to stick with plain varieties5 and add in your own toppings, like almonds, honey, or berries.
4. When you’re on the road: Pack along folate-filled nuts.
Whether you’re hopping in the car to visit family or taking a plane to a vacation destination, bring along some nuts or peanuts. They’re both good sources of folate1, the natural form of folic acid, which can help support healthy neural tube development2, 6 and is considered nifty pregnancy nutrition food . And if you’re worried about your developing baby’s risk of nut allergies, you may not need to be: Emerging research has found that those moms who ate more nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts, during their pregnancies (and weren’t allergic themselves) had children who were least likely to develop nut allergies.7
Pregnancy Nutrition Made Easy: Key Prenatal Nutrients
Pregnancy nutrition doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’re wondering what food to eat during pregnancy, try to eat more servings of the food below.
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DHAWhy it’s important Important building blocks for development of the brain and eyes in infants. How much do I need? Experts recommend at least 200mg/day for pregnant and nursing women.1 DHA is found in algae and fatty cold water fish, like salmon, bluefin tuna, black cod, sardines, herring and shellfish.
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CalciumWhy it’s important Helps build and supports the development of strong bones and teeth. How much do I need? 1000 to 1300 mg/day, depending on your age.2 Calcium is found in dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese; prenatal vitamins.
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IronWhy it’s important
How much do I need? 27 mg/day2 Iron is found in lean red meat and poultry, fish, spinach, dried fruits, and nuts; it is also commonly found in prenatal vitamins to aid pregnancy nutrition.
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Folate & Folic AcidWhy it’s important
How much do I need? 520 µg/day2 It is found in leafy green vegetables (like spinach), citrus fruits (grape-fruits and oranges).
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ProteinWhy it’s important
How much do I need? 71 g/day2
Protein is found in lean meat, poultry, fish & eggs.
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