How to Eat During Pregnancy

Eating healthy is always important but even more so when you're eating for two! Here are some guidelines for eating when pregnant.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Firstly, eating for two isn't exactly true. Remember, for most of the pregnancy, baby will weight only a very small amount. You actually aren't really eating for two until the last months. And even at that, you only need 300 extra calories a day which really isn't all that much. So that extra piece of cake may look tempting but isn't a good idea if you eat one every night.

2. It is more important that you eat healthy. Lots of green, lots of dairy. Yogurt is an excellent choice, especially since you may be feeling hungry every couple of hours but can't eat a whole meal each time your stomach growls. And eating small meals constantly throughout the day is perfectly fine and actually can reduce upset stomach, nausea, and reflux.

3. Avoid raw eggs. Most everyone knows this. So no mayo on your sandwiches, avoid creamy salad dressings.
   
   If there is a history of egg allergies in your family, (there is in mine), you may want to limit your cooked egg diet as well.

4. Another food to possibly avoid that people may not think about is peanuts. A peanut allergy is very serious and some pediatricians recommend not giving peanuts to your child until they are as old as 3 in order to prevent them from developing a food allergy to it. Why so serious? Because a peanut allergy is always a life threatening one and only a very few amount of children outgrow it. It's one of those cases of an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

5. Your diet should be high in folic acid as this important nutrient can prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. So broccoli, bananas, spinach, grains, potatoes, etc.

6. Avoid raw fish. (Seems like anything raw is a no.) No sushi. Stay away from tuna and other fish that contain high levels of mercury.

7. Say no to sandwiches. Deli meat can contain listeria which can be harmful to the fetus. I know I can't wait until I have my baby and be able to eat an Italian hoagie!

Resources

• I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat?
• Eat Right For Your Baby
• The Everything Pregnancy Nutrition Book: What To Eat To Ensure A Healthy Pregnancy

[ahickpoet]

on 1/18/2009 I didn't know about the deli meat. I'm not pregnant or planning to be, but that was an interesting fact.

[Wasatch]

on 1/17/2009 We are expecting next month. Good article.

[georgelarson]

on 1/16/2009 Good information. Thanks.

[Bfastattiffanys]

on 1/16/2009 great tips. i didn't know about the deli meat. Thanks

[CWilliams]

on 1/14/2009 WONDERFUL TIPS! I also follow another rule and I cut out game meat while I am pregnant. It sure makes my OB feel better. +5 and recommended for helping moms to stay healthy during pregnancy.