5 foods to eat during pregnancy –
- Produce containing Vitamin C, like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli, support the baby’s growth and improves iron absorption.
- Foods that have iron, such as beans, lentils, green leafy vegetables, meat, and spinach all support the mother’s body in making more blood for both mom and baby.
- Foods rich in calcium, including pasteurized dairy products (yogurt, cow’s milk and hard cheeses) as well as almonds, broccoli, and garbanzo beans will help support development of bones and teeth.
- Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids (EHA and DHA) such as sardines, salmon, trout and canned light tuna. Or choose a prenatal supplement with Omega-3s if you don’t like fish.
- Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated supports the proper delivery of nutrients through the blood to the baby and may help prevent constipation, hemorrhoids and urinary tract infections for the mother.
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Are strawberries and raspberries safe during pregnancy?
3 Power Foods That Will Change the Way You Eat During Pregnancy 
Ever feel like eating well during pregnancy is a chore? Wondering how to transition into feeding both yourself and your baby? We asked and to share their tips for eating well and making food exciting and fresh during these crucial years. They told us about three versatile power foods to keep in your kitchen for quick, healthy meals and snacks. 
1. Berries During Pregnancy : Blueberries (as well as strawberries, blackberries and raspberries) are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, potassium and folate. Grab a handful for a snack, top off your oatmeal or granola, add to a salad or blend into a smoothie.
If berries are out of season, try frozen blueberries. First Foods : Sweet, flavorful, and full of vitamins, berries make a great add in for baby purees since babies will love them. Try adding berries and bananas to plain full-fat yogurt for a quick snack or add some blueberries to beets for a sweet antioxidant infused meal.
Due to potential allergies, wait until 7 months to start babies on strawberries and blackberries and always check with your pediatrician if concerns arise. 
2. Nuts & Seeds During Pregnancy : Filled with protein, healthy fats, folate, vitamin E, magnesium and omega- and omega-6, nuts and seeds are wonderful power food. Fiber found in nuts and seeds also are helpful in aiding digestion. The Omega-3 fatty acids found in nuts and seeds aids in neurological and brain development of the baby.
A handful of sunflower seeds, almonds, or walnuts can be a terrific snack between meals. Add a cup of walnuts, sliced almonds and pumpkin seeds to your breakfast, sprinkle on a salad or eat as a trail mix. Nut and seed butters, like almond butter or sun butter, make a great dip for apples or add a ½ cup to a smoothie for added nutrition.
First Foods : High in folate and protein, cooked beans and legumes are a wonderful food for babies. Start 6 month olds on a green pea puree. Around 8-10 months, once baby’s digestive system has matured further, mash up some cooked black beans in chicken or veggie stock. 
3. Leafy Greens During Pregnancy : Dark leafy greens like spinach, chard, kale and collards are terrific sources of calcium, Iron, and folic acid as well as necessary vitamins. In addition to being in season and really easy to grow, help build a healthy blood supply, aid in bone growth and development and provide fiber to help with digestion.
Greens can be added to lots of things: smoothies, frittatas, soups and salads. Love pesto? Try making it with kale and walnuts instead of basil and pine nuts! First Foods : Fall is the perfect time to pick up some dark leafy greens from your local farmers’ market and start adding them into your baby’s foods.
Greens like kale, spinach and chard are great for babies 7-9 months old and add folate, iron, and numerous vitamins to the baby’s diet. Plus, by introducing greens early, your baby will be more likely to eat them later in life. Remove hard stems and steam greens before adding them to purees such as unsweetened applesauce or berries and yogurt.
What does it mean when you crave strawberries while pregnant?
Strawberries – “Strawberries contain a high level of vitamin C, which can aid your baby’s development,” says Mr Downes. “So if you’re experiencing cravings for strawberries, you may be lacking in vitamin C,’ he says. ” Vitamin C also helps you to absorb the necessary amounts of iron from food,” adds Mr Downes. 
Credit: Canva
Can I eat banana in first trimester?
02 /9 Fruits to eat during pregnancy- Bananas – Bananas should be on the top of your list and can be eaten throughout the pregnancy. They are rich in carbohydrates and will give you the much-needed energy during this time. Bananas are super healthy for those ladies who suffer from anemia, as it gives a good boost to the haemoglobin levels.
Is Greek yogurt good for pregnancy?
Dairy – Avoid raw milk with its potential pathogens; drink pasteurized milk instead. Plain pasteurized Greek yogurt is a smart choice for pregnant women. Since it is strained, most of the lactose (the form of carbohydrate in dairy) is removed, and the protein is concentrated.
Greek yogurt does not raise your blood sugar level and is therefore gestational-diabetes-friendly. Most yogurt is not strained (unless it’s Greek!), so there is additional lactose that can spike blood sugar. Other yogurts often have sneaky sugars, via the naturally occurring sugar in fruit jam, or the addition of refined sugar to many yogurt products.
Make sure you read your yogurt labels and look for minimal to no added sugar. Cheese has some suggested boundaries during pregnancy. Soft unpasteurized cheeses are considered unsafe for two reasons: They are produced with raw milk, and they have a high moisture content (harmful bacterias love a wet environment).
What are the disadvantages of Strawberry during pregnancy?
2. Second Trimester – Eating a strawberry during pregnancy second trimester is generally safe to consume as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Strawberries are an excellent source of essential nutrients, as discussed above. In addition to the nutritional benefits, strawberries contain natural compounds known as polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help support maternal and fetal health.
Some research suggests that polyphenols may play a role in reducing the risk of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. However, as with any food during pregnancy, it is important to consume strawberries in moderation and with appropriate precautions. Furthermore, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, it is always advisable to speak with your gynaecologist and physician before introducing strawberries or any other new food into your pregnancy diet.
It is also worth noting that excessive amounts of strawberries or any other food during pregnancy may lead to health issues, such as high blood sugar levels. Hence, it’s important to maintain a balanced and moderate approach to consumption.
How many fruits should you not eat during pregnancy?
Gestational Diabetes – Fruits to avoid when pregnant – For a mom who develops gestational diabetes in the third trimester, there is a constant struggle with what can be eaten and what should be avoided. Remember this simple thumb rule – Anything that can be digested too quickly can cause a sudden increase in sugar levels and hence is to be avoided.
How many strawberries is considered a meal?
Small fresh fruit A portion is 2 or more small fruit – for example, 2 plums, 2 satsumas, 2 kiwi fruit, 3 apricots, 6 lychees, 7 strawberries or 14 cherries.
Which vegetables avoid in pregnancy?
Pregnancy causes a lot of changes in the body, and pregnant women should consider adjusting their eating habits to adapt to these changes. Diet is one of the most important factors that can affect a pregnant woman’s overall health and the health of her child.
- Important foods to avoid include raw shellfish and undercooked eggs.
- Eating a healthful diet is essential during pregnancy, but there are some foods that pregnant women should avoid altogether.
- Many people understand the risks of eating high-mercury fish or raw meats, but there are also other foods that many people would not expect to cause potential issues during pregnancy.
Pregnancy affects the immune system, which may make some women more susceptible to infection. Many foods carry bacteria or other infectious germs that may cause problems during pregnancy. Even in cases where the pregnant woman does not feel sick, some of these germs may still affect the fetus.
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They also recommend avoiding all raw or undercooked fish, such as from sushi or sashimi. Uncooked fish may contain parasites or harmful bacteria. Cook all fish to 145℉. However, many fish are still safe to eat while pregnant. As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) note, some fish contain lower levels of mercury, including:
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These fish choices can help provide helpful nutrients, and the FDA recommend eating two to three servings of these fish each week. Though some people may think they can drink small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy, there is no safe level for alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that any alcohol in the woman’s blood passes to the fetus through the umbilical cord. This may cause a range of physical or mental developmental issues. Most doctors will advise pregnant women to avoid alcohol. While pregnant, it is best to avoid all raw seafood, especially raw shellfish.
The USDHHS food safety website notes that raw shellfish, such as oysters, crab, and clams, may be a potential source of Vibrio bacteria, which can cause cholera and other infections. Cook all shellfish to 145 °F. These infections may cause loss of water and electrolytes in the body, which can be severe and potentially fatal.
- They may also cause a change in the immune system that puts the child’s health at risk.
- A study in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases reports that there is a link between abnormal changes in the immune system during pregnancy and other issues, such as poor fetal growth, preterm birth, and preeclampsia,
Some types of meat could harbor the potentially dangerous Listeria bacteria. According to the CDC, Listeria infections may be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and newborns. Listeria can also lead to miscarriage. To avoid contracting Listeria, cook all meat to 165℉ before eating it.
- This includes all meats that a person would normally eat cold, such as sliced meats from a deli.
- This may be more difficult for cured meats, such as Serrano ham, pepperoni, or pancetta, so it may be best to avoid these meats.
- Greens and sprouts are generally great foods to add to the diet as they contain large amounts of fiber and nutrients.
However, some greens or sprouts may contain bacteria, such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause infection. A study in the Clinical Microbiology and Infection notes that bacterial infections of the blood, of which E. coli infections are among the most common types, are potentially fatal during pregnancy.
It is essential to avoid E. coli while pregnant. The CDC note that E. coli infections are hard to pin down because they can derive from many different sources. An E. coli infection can cause a variety of problems, including food poisoning, urinary tract infections, and respiratory illness. About 20 percent of E.
coli infections are due to contaminated foods, which may include greens and sprouts. Avoid raw or undercooked sprouts, such as:
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Always use fresh, new sprouts and cook them thoroughly before eating them. The USDHHS also warn against eating salads made in a store deli. Be wary if the salad contains ingredients that may carry bacteria, such as ham, chicken, or seafood. Eggs are a simple source of protein and nutrients, but undercooked or raw eggs may contain Salmonella bacteria.
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When buying eggs, choose pasteurized eggs. The pasteurization process kills all bacteria in the egg, reducing the risk of infection. Always check the labels of store-bought products containing egg to check for pasteurization. Cook all eggs and products that contain eggs to 160 ℉.
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Soft cheese may contain harmful bacteria, such as Listeria or E. coli, It is safer to eat hard varieties, such as Swiss or Cheddar cheese. Pasteurized cheese is an even better choice, so check the label to ensure the cheese is made from pasteurized milk.
Share on Pinterest Drinking high amounts of caffeine may increase the risk of pregnancy loss. While some people can enjoy a small amount of caffeine during pregnancy, doctors often recommend that pregnant women avoid it completely because caffeine can pass to the fetus. A fetus is unable to break down caffeine, which can cause problems.
As a 2016 study in Public Health Nutrition notes, pregnant women who consume higher levels of caffeine may run the risk of pregnancy loss, though the research is still inconclusive. The USDHHS advise pregnant women to avoid both unpasteurized milk and unpasteurized fruit juice.
Unpasteurized milk may contain E. coli, Listeria, or Salmonella, These bacteria can cause severe infections in pregnant women, especially if their immune system is already stressed. Always drink pasteurized milk and check the labels of any milk-containing foods to confirm this. Unpasteurized juice or cider may be a source of E.
coli, Avoid raw fruit juices or cider, including fresh squeezed juices, such as orange or apple juice. Boil any unpasteurized juice or cider for at least 1 minute to eliminate bacteria before letting it cool and drinking. Though there are some restrictions to the diet while pregnant, these restrictions help to ensure the health of both woman and child.