Super foods for optimal pregnancy and baby health
Let’s face it, in this world of processed foods and convenience, eating well is difficult. During pregnancy, it can be even more difficult. Never fear, it is easier than you think to add a nutritional boost to your diet. You diet not only increases your health during pregnancy, supplements the important growth your baby is doing, but also can effect your mood in a positive way.
Here are 3 tips to help you to spruce up and supplement your diet:
1. “Eat a rainbow of foods, close to the ground.” Keep this mantra in mind when selecting fruits and vegetables. Superfood fruits and vegetables that are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals include avocado, berries, oranges, sweet potatoes, brocolli and spinach.
Extra Tip: Smoothie time! A smoothie is the perfect way to get tons of fruit and vegetable benefits in one easy to make & drink meal. You can’t go wrong with a mix of yogurt, fruit juice, frozen berries in the blender. Add a handful of prewashed spinach and you won’t even taste the green power!
2. Vitamin C packs punch! Recent studies show that Vitamin C plays a key role in promoting fertility and pregnancy support. Foods that are high in Vitamin C include: broccoli, cabbage, cantalope cauliflower, celery, cranberries, grapefruit, guava, kiwi, lime, mustard greens, oranges, papaya, parsley, pineapple, oranges, raspberries, red bell peppers, spinach, strawberries, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon.
Extra tip: Grab a few of your favorite fruits from the list above. Dice in bite sized pieces. Fruit salad, yummy yummy!
3. Go Green – According to pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, eating your greens during your pregnancy has proven more important than ever. Diabetes and related illnesses are on the rise, primarily because of the way our diets have changed over the last few generations. It was no surprise to him when a Swedish study confirmed that the children of women who ate vegetables daily had much lower risk of developing diabetes type 1. Do right by your baby and give them the greatest chance of a healthy life ahead… eat your greens!
Extra tip: You can make anything into a salad. Buy spinach or red leaf lettuce (when it comes to greens, the darker the better) and top with your favorite vegetables or protein. Make a meal out of it by serving your salad with crusty whole grain bread and a piece of fruit.
