TheĀ Best Way To Eat While Pregnant
A balanced diet and healthy pregnant eating involve consuming a wide variety of foods. This will make sure you receive the nutrients and energy you need during pregnancy for both you and the baby. Healthy Food To Eat While Pregnant
It’s vital to eat healthily at all times, but during pregnancy it can benefit both you and your unborn child. When you are unwell or exhausted and do not feel like spending time in the kitchen, it might be difficult to think about eating correctly. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; instead, concentrate on making an effort to eat a variety of foods each day from various dietary groups.
Read Also: Healthy Daily Calorie Intake
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to “eat for two” while you are pregnant. A crucial component of eating a balanced diet is controlling your portion sizes. Try to concentrate on keeping things simple when it comes to eating healthy. Eat less packaged, ultra-processed food that has been seasoned with salt and sugar. Choose foods that are instead unprocessed or minimally processed, including:
- vegetables and fruits,
- legumes, nuts, and seeds
- eggs, fish, and meat
- foods like potatoes, rice, and pasta that contain milk, cheese, and yogurt.
It’s crucial to be aware of the foods and beverages you should stay away from while pregnant. This is because there may be a higher chance of issues for both you and your unborn child as a result.
Some pregnant women report that they find it difficult to eat healthily for a variety of reasons, including as feeling ill or issues with their emotional well-being. Speak to your GP or midwife if you feel you need some support.
Eatwell’s guidance
Women should consume roughly 2,000 calories per day on average. Depending on how active you are, you might need to consume an additional 200 calories if you are pregnant and in the third trimester. To assist you understand how much of each food type should make up these 2000 calories, the NHS has developed the Eatwell Guide. While you are not need to adhere to these ratios at every meal, attempt to achieve the balance over the course of a day or even a week. When you go grocery shopping, choosing a balanced diet can be made easier if you comprehend food labels.

Veggies and fruits
Aim to consume 5 servings or more of fruit and vegetables each day. The finest foods to eat are a diversity of colors, which may be found in fresh, frozen, dried, and canned forms. Moreover, they are a good source of fiber, which lessens the risk of constipation, a typical issue during pregnancy.
Choose canned fruit or veggies that are in water or fruit juice that don’t have any sugar or salt added.
What if I’m not a fan of veggies?
Consider experimenting with some raw vegetables like carrots and peppers or sweeter vegetables like sweetcorn. Also, you might mix or chop veggies and add them to sauces or stews that use canned tomatoes. You won’t likely even notice it. If you continue experimenting with various vegetables, you and your family learn to like them more.
It need not be expensive to eat fruit and vegetables.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are frequently less expensive if you choose them. Watch out for promotions at the grocery store or your neighborhood greengrocer. Unpackaged produce is frequently less expensive than loose produce. Farmers markets and neighborhood vegetable and fruit box programs, as well as market booths, can provide excellent value for the money. Also, you can discover if you qualify for Healthy Start food coupons, which can be used to buy fruits and vegetables.
Meat, fish, eggs, beans, and other sources of protein from plants
Protein is essential for your baby’s growth since it creates new tissue for the bones, muscles, and organs. Many excellent sources of protein exist, including:
- Beans
- lentils
- fish
- poultry
- eggs
- but avoid the liver, and nuts.
Beans, chickpeas, and lentils are excellent plant-based sources of protein for your diet. They offer protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are naturally low in fat. These can also qualify as one of your daily five servings. A vitamin B12 supplement may be necessary if you eat a plant-based diet because meat is typically the main source. Whether you eat a vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based diet, we offer further advice on how to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
Aim to consume two servings of fish every week if it is in your diet. An oily fish, such as mackerel, sardines, or salmon, should be one of them. You should steer clear of some fish varieties if you’re attempting to get pregnant or are already pregnant.
Pregnant women can consume raw or partially cooked eggs produced in accordance with the British Lion Code of Practice (stamping with the red lion). Eggs should be fully cooked if the red lion mark is not present. Learn more about consuming eggs while pregnant.
If you eat meat, choose for lean cuts and try to limit your intake of processed and red meat (such as bacon, ham and sausages). Learn more about some nutritious meal substitutions you can make while pregnant. Make sure all meat is cooked thoroughly and that there is no pink meat.
Pasta, potatoes, rice, bread, and other starchy foods
Foods like couscous, polenta, yams, and other grains and starchy roots are also included in this category. Foods high in starchy carbohydrates should make up slightly over one-third of your diet because they are incredibly energizing.
Choose wholegrain, wholemeal, or multigrain varieties of items like pasta, bread, rice, and cereal. They can increase your feeling of fullness while providing you with extra fiber and other nutrients. When cooking potatoes, you can also choose to leave the skins on because it is less expensive, simpler, and healthier to do so.
Milk and dairy-based foods
Dairy products include yoghurt, cheese, and milk. Certain cheeses should be avoided while pregnant.
Calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth, is present in large quantities in dairy products. Wherever possible, it is advisable to use low- or reduced-fat varieties. Use unsweetened, calcium-fortified soy drinks and yoghurt if you prefer dairy alternatives to those products.
Especially during the first three months of pregnancy, many women experience sickness. It may seem as though you are not feeding your infant properly if you are sick quite frequently. Fear not; there is no evidence that morning sickness during pregnancy impacts your baby’s nutrition. You should speak with your midwife if you are experiencing more severe nausea and are having trouble swallowing.
To prevent your blood sugar levels from falling too low, try eating little and frequently. There is some scientific support for the idea that ginger-containing meals and beverages can lessen mild to moderate morning sickness.