Being pregnant is the most waited moment in every woman’s life but it comes with loads of concerns about diet and other activities. Especially the first time expectant mothers need a complete guidance regarding what to eat and what not to eat. This article includes a comprehensive diet plan to help you. Let’s read and enjoy healthy pregnancy…
Healthy pregnancy diet plan ensures regular delivery of all necessary nutrients for mother-to-be and her small one. Making a pregnancy diet plan becomes more essential for the working women because they don’t have enough time to cook an elaborate meal, so they usually prefer processed and fast foods. During pregnancy, you have to share a proper proportion of your diet with your baby, so increased calorie intake becomes more crucial during this phase. There are several factors which may affect the calorie requirement from person to person such as overall health, age, physical activities, baby’s growth rate etc.
Healthy Pregnancy Diet Plan
Protein/ Meat Group
Protein is the most important constituent of a healthy diet plan. Red meat, chicken, fish, cooked beans and milky products (low fat yogurt, milk, and hard cheese) are great sources of protein. A pregnant woman needs average 6 ozs protein daily. You can provide this quantity by eating one egg, 1 oz of meat, half cup cooked beans or 1.5 tablespoons of peanut butter.
Grain Group
No one can deny the importance of whole grains when it comes to make a healthy diet plan. Whole grains are rich of fiber and other essential nutrients. So, you should add brown rice, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal and high fiber cereal in your daily pregnancy diet plan.
Vegetable Group
Green leafy vegetables provide a great quantity of iron to your body. Add green vegetables (like green peas, broccoli, cabbage, spinach and lettuce etc) and orange vegetables (such as pumpkin, carrots, tomatoes) in your daily diet.
Fruit Group
Consuming a proper proportion of fresh fruits (like melons, mangoes, apples, bananas, strawberries, peaches, grapefruits, oranges) and fresh fruit juices is also essential to provide your body healthy nutrients.