Pregnancy Diet - 5 Healthy Eating Habits for a Healthy Pregnancy
- By Jackie Lee
- Published 08/29/2008
- Pregnancy and Family Planning
- Unrated
A healthy pregnancy diet is essential for the health and well being of your new baby. The food you put in your body is what grows your baby's body. With that in mind think about the things you choose to eat during your pregnancy. Are they helping build your baby or are they using your body's energy to digest and not offering nutritional value? Follow these 5 Healthy Pregnancy Diet Tips and you will be on your way to a healthy baby.
Eat 4-6 small meals a day
When you eat 4 to 6 small meals a day this helps your body have fuel through the whole day. Your blood sugar will stay level, and you won't have such big mood swings.
It also helps to decrease the amount of heartburn you will experience. The days of three big meals are over. Now it's 4 to 6 small meals every day!
Eat Healthy Snacks
Chips are not included. Healthy snacks can consist of fruits, vegetables, cheese sticks, crackers and cheese. Nuts are a great option as well.
Choose snacks that provide your body with good nutrition, that will feed the baby.
Drink Water
Water is essential during pregnancy. It keeps you hydrated, decreases swelling in your extremities, and helps keep your amniotic fluid at proper levels.
For a pregnancy diet you should drink an ounce of water for every pound you weigh. This means you will need to increase your water intake as your pregnancy goes on.
It doesn't have to be difficult to drink that much water, just make sure you drink an 8 ounce glass with each of your small meals, and carry water with you everywhere you go.
Take your Vitamins
Your doctor prescribed a prenatal vitamin for you at your first appointment. Make sure you take them. Even with a healthy pregnancy diet you may miss certain vital nutrients that are provided in your prenatal vitamin.
Limit Your Caffeine
It's best to cut caffeine out of your diet all together. If you just can't go without make sure you keep your caffeine intake to less than 200mg of caffeine per day.
That is equivalent to about one medium strength cup of coffee. All coffees have varying amounts of caffeine so make sure you check your labels.
If you decide to do caffeine free coffee, remember, that it is not completely caffeine free, so don't go overboard.
Now with these 5 healthy pregnancy diet tips you are well on your way to doing the most you can to help your baby grow and develop.
If you are uncertain about what all to eat while pregnant there are many resources available to help you eat a healthy pregnancy diet.
Eat 4-6 small meals a day
When you eat 4 to 6 small meals a day this helps your body have fuel through the whole day. Your blood sugar will stay level, and you won't have such big mood swings.
It also helps to decrease the amount of heartburn you will experience. The days of three big meals are over. Now it's 4 to 6 small meals every day!
Eat Healthy Snacks
Chips are not included. Healthy snacks can consist of fruits, vegetables, cheese sticks, crackers and cheese. Nuts are a great option as well.
Choose snacks that provide your body with good nutrition, that will feed the baby.
Drink Water
Water is essential during pregnancy. It keeps you hydrated, decreases swelling in your extremities, and helps keep your amniotic fluid at proper levels.
It doesn't have to be difficult to drink that much water, just make sure you drink an 8 ounce glass with each of your small meals, and carry water with you everywhere you go.
Take your Vitamins
Your doctor prescribed a prenatal vitamin for you at your first appointment. Make sure you take them. Even with a healthy pregnancy diet you may miss certain vital nutrients that are provided in your prenatal vitamin.
Limit Your Caffeine
It's best to cut caffeine out of your diet all together. If you just can't go without make sure you keep your caffeine intake to less than 200mg of caffeine per day.
That is equivalent to about one medium strength cup of coffee. All coffees have varying amounts of caffeine so make sure you check your labels.
If you decide to do caffeine free coffee, remember, that it is not completely caffeine free, so don't go overboard.
Now with these 5 healthy pregnancy diet tips you are well on your way to doing the most you can to help your baby grow and develop.
If you are uncertain about what all to eat while pregnant there are many resources available to help you eat a healthy pregnancy diet.
Jackie Lee
The Natural Pregnancy Project is a place you can find more information about eating a healthy pregnancy diet and how your pregnancy diet affects your baby's health
View all articles by Jackie Lee