10 Healthy Ways To Eat During Pregnancy

Ineh Olisah 

As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you are most likely to become more health conscious.. Questions like “what should I eat, what does the baby need to grow well” are most likely to pop. We bring you ten healthy ways to feed your bump when pregnant.

1. INDULGE YOUR CRAVE ONCE IN A WHILE: Sometimes, having a crave is your body’s way of demanding for nutrients your body needs, so don’t feel guilty eating what your body craves for. Besides, what other excuse would you have to eat those fries and burgers or foods you normally won’t go out of your way to get?

2. SMALL PORTIONS: Don’t stuff yourself by eating a large portion of food as a meal. Apart from constipating and making you uncomfortable, it’s an easy way to pile up the pounds. Rather, divide one large meal into several portions which you can eat throughout the day.

SEE ALSO: Best Prenatal Multivitamins Tested and Compared

3. BE FOLIC FRIENDLY: Ensure that you are getting the adequate daily dose of folic acid. This will not only keep your baby healthy, but will reduce the risk of neural tube defects which include spina bifida during the first three months of pregnancy. Recommended daily dose of folic acid is 400 mg.

4. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE. There’s a reason why people use this phrase. Eating a wide variety of the right foods everyday will guarantee that you are getting a good amount of the vitamins and minerals that your body requires.

5. DO THE RIGHT PROTEINS: Doing the right protein will not only ensure a great start for your baby by forming the basic building block, but it can protect your pregnancy against problems like eclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension and other problems. The right kind of proteins include protein found in chicken, fish and lentils, yoghurt, and beans.

6. KEEP THE FOLLOWING TO A MINIMUM: Liver, junk food, cakes, pastries, coffee, meat spreads, chocolate drinks, fizzy drinks, energy drinks, red meat, and peanuts should be kept to the barest minimum like once a week.

7. EATING FOR TWO? Do not be under the illusion that you are feeding two people, thereby increasing your portions. It’s not about the quantity of food you’re eating that matters but the quality. Eating an increased portion can actually be unhealthy as this can easily cause nausea or constipation.

8. BE CLEAN, STAY HEALTHY: Ensure that the fruits and vegetables you consume have been properly rinsed under running water. Vinegar can also be used to disinfect veggies in salad. You can also use a scrub brush to remove dirt from carrots, peppers, cucumbers, etc. Store fruits and vegetables in the veggie compartment of your refrigerator to slow the growth of bacteria. Wash dishes with hot soapy water.

9. MAKE WATER YOUR BFF: Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Apart from the fact that water detoxifies your body, it keeps your body free from constipation. Always carry a bottle of water with you, so you can sip every now and then, because drinking large quantity of water can make you nauseous.

 10. FOR YOUR STOMACH TROUBLES: You might want to do plenty of fiber rich foods to keep your tummy free from constipation. Leafy vegetables like spinach and pumpkin leaves could help you with bowel movements.