It is a mother’s natural instinct to want the best for her child. Remember that wanting the best for her child starts with knowing what foods to eat during pregnancy. “Why is this so important?” You can ask. It is by getting the proper nutrition that ensures the proper development of her baby in her womb and prevents birth defects and developmental defects.

Pregnant women should make sure their diet contains the right mix of foods from the four basic food groups. This is due to the fact that there are important pregnancy nutrients that pregnant women should be aware of to ensure normal and healthy fetal development.

Pregnant women need adequate levels of carbohydrates in their diet. Most likely, you already have some of these in your daily food intake: bread, pasta, rice, cereals, and potatoes. Carbohydrates provide the energy we need for daily activity. You will need a little more to accommodate the extra energy needed during pregnancy. You should also get an adequate supply of protein from sources such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and nuts. Pregnant women need about 80 grams of protein intake.

You’ll also need sufficient levels of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C, B complex, calcium, iron, and folic acid. These vitamins and minerals can be obtained from fruits and vegetables, making them important foods to eat during pregnancy. Folic acid is very important, especially during the first months of pregnancy, as it is necessary for the proper development of the baby’s spinal cord and brain. Rich sources of folic acid include dark green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals. The calcium in milk, cheese, and yogurt is important for your baby’s bone development; you need to take at least 1000 mg of calcium every day. Finally, it is important that you get adequate levels of iron to prevent anemia, which is quite common in pregnancy. Excellent sources of iron include red meat, dark poultry, and fish. Your prenatal vitamins should be able to provide sufficient levels of these vitamins and minerals, but nothing beats getting them from natural sources.

Do you really “eat for two”? As mentioned above, you will need some additional nutrients to ensure that you and your baby are healthy. However, you don’t have to eat twice as much food during pregnancy. In fact, you only need an extra 300 calories per day. This is equivalent to a baked potato or two slices of cheese on your sandwich.

Wholesome natural foods provide your growing fetus with many of the nutrients that will enhance its mental and physical development. If you really want to give your baby a great start in life, start with learning about the best foods to eat during pregnancy and go from there.