(NaturalPath) You can always pack tons of different vitamins and minerals into your diet, but especially if your appetite hasn’t quite gotten up to speed yet, you may be thinking you could do more. Here are some of the best foods to eat during pregnancy to pack in all those essential nutrients. This is important because sometimes you will be too sick to eat enough or you may not be gaining weight fast enough. Efficiency is key!
Lean Meat
The amino acids in protein found in lean meats are the building blocks of every cell in your and your baby’s bodies. Consuming high-protein foods also stabilizes your blood sugar. Lean meat is also high in iron, which is critical to help your baby develop his/her red blood cell supply and support yours too. The iron also strengthens nerve connections in your baby’s brain.
If you’re a vegetarian or the like, try an iron-rich vegetarian option such as dark leafy greens, cooked dried beans, quinoa, lentils, dried fruit and tofu.
Yogurt
Both you and your baby need plenty of calcium for bone health and aiding function in your muscles and nerves. One of the best ways to get that calcium is through yogurt. It doesn’t just have your calcium, it also has protein and folate. The active cultures can help avoid an upset stomach as well.
Oats
Oats pack a punch as they are full of fiber (helpful in dealing with constipation), B vitamins, iron and a host of other minerals. You don’t even have to stop by adding them to your breakfast bowl, add them to pancakes, muffins, cakes, and cookies. Make sure you are also having other whole grains as well.
Nuts
Nuts are stuffed full of important minerals (copper, manganese, magnesium, selenium, zinc, potassium, and even calcium) and vitamin E, plus the portability make them the perfect snack.
Mangos
If you can’t stomach veggies, try mangos. They have more vitamins A and C than a salad and are delicious. It’s a perfect complement to both sweet and savory dishes.
Bonus: Drink lots of water!
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
