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Being pregnant is no joke. It’s a time of great change for your body and your baby, and the added demands of this transition can be challenging. But, it needn’t be a scary or uncomfortable time for you.
As much as you might want to find ways to cope with the stress and negative emotions associated with becoming a parent, the last thing you want is for your baby to also feel the negative effects of being in such an environment.
If you’re expecting, your baby will also benefit from some of the nutrients that are present in many of the foods that you eat every day.
These foods will not only help ensure that your growing fetus receives all the necessary nutrients but will also positively impact his health in other ways through their dietary benefits. Here are just 10 of them:
Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein that contains all the essential amino acids.
They’re also loaded with choline, which is important for your baby’s brain development.
Dark Chocolate
Dark, high-quality chocolate is chock-full of nutrients that will help support your baby’s development as well as minimize the risk of birth defects.
Just make sure not to overdo it! Citrus Fruits Citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, which can help reduce the risk of certain types of skin cancer in both you and your unborn child.
Sweet Potatoes
This vegetable is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and B6.
It also contains beta-carotene, calcium, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, and thiamine.
Sweet Potatoes offer plenty of beta carotene, which is essential for eye and brain development during pregnancy and helps protect against cardiovascular disease later on
Broccoli and Other Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are an excellent source of vitamin A.
These nutrients help your baby develop healthy eyes and skin, which are essential during pregnancy.
A study conducted in 2014 found that women who ate a diet rich in these vegetables had a higher rate of delivery by cesarean section than those who didn’t.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a nutrient-rich food that can provide you with some of the most important nutrients during your pregnancy.
It’s also a healthy, low-calorie, and high-fiber option that can help you feel fuller and more satisfied.
Nuts And Seeds
Nuts are a good source of protein, and they contain healthy fats that can aid in brain development during pregnancy.
They’re also a great source of minerals like magnesium and zinc. Seeds, on the other hand, are high in fiber and magnesium, which will help with your digestion.
Almonds & Walnuts Both provide beneficial fats that have been shown to have positive effects on heart health in both you and your unborn child. The fiber found in these nuts also supports healthy digestion throughout pregnancy as well as after childbirth thanks to the many antioxidant compounds present within those nut varieties.
Beans and Legumes
Beans and legumes are loaded with fiber as well as protein and iron.
They also contain antioxidants that help inhibit cell damage, which can have a positive impact on your baby’s health.
Beans & Lentils Beans and lentils are two great sources of protein that are high in fiber and low in fat, making them ideal for both you and your baby’s health during pregnancy.
They’re also high in folate, which can support fetal development by helping form the DNA molecules necessary for cell division.
Olives
Olives have a high concentration of fat, which is a great source of energy for your growing baby.
They also contain large amounts of unsaturated fat, which is good for brain development during pregnancy.
Olives also contain vitamin K, which protects against osteoporosis and heart disease in later life.
Tuna Fish
Tuna fish provides the omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for developing eyes and brains.
Omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, certain inflammatory diseases, and even some mood disorders like depression.
Blue-Green Algae
You might not have heard of this food, but it is a good idea to include it in your diet.
Not only will the food provide essential nutrients like protein and fiber, but you will also get plenty of iron and iodine.
Conclusion
It’s not just about the food you eat during pregnancy. Your diet is also a reflection of your health.
The nutrients in the food you eat can be beneficial to not only your baby’s development but yours too.
Take a look at these 10 foods that will benefit your health during pregnancy.
