Nutrition is important for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Not only do nutrients eaten by the mother feed the baby, but specific nutrients can also help to prevent birth defects as well. The best foods for pregnancy come from a variety of different food groups, but they each provide a nutritional benefit to both mother and baby.
100 Percent Whole Wheat Bread
The March of Dimes states that enriched grains like whole wheat bread are a good source of folic acid. Folic acid helps to prevent birth defects that can affect a baby's spinal cord and brain. Therefore, pregnant women should eat whole wheat bread as often as possible as opposed to white bread. Not all brown bread is truly whole wheat bread and pregnant women should make sure that the bread they buy states that it is 100 percent whole wheat.
Beans
Beans, such as black beans or pinto beans, are also rich in folic acid and can help prevent birth defects, according to the March of Dimes. In addition, beans provide protein to keep pregnant women feeling energized during their pregnancy. The fiber in beans can also help to prevent and decrease constipation, which is common during pregnancy.
Orange Juice
Pregnant women should drink orange juice often because it is high in vitamin C as well as folic acid, advises experts at Parents.com. Orange juice also has potassium, which can decrease a woman's risk of high blood pressure during the pregnancy. Pregnant women should make sure to buy 100 percent juice rather than juice that has added sugar.
Broccoli
Broccoli contains calcium, a mineral that helps strengthen a woman's bones. It is also essential for the formation of the baby's bones while in the womb. Parents.com states that broccoli also has vitamin C, which helps to protect the immune system, and vitamin B6, which can increase energy levels. Broccoli can be eaten raw in a salad or cooked and served with a healthy topping like low fat cheese.
Yogurt
All dairy products contain calcium, though Parents.com states that yogurt actually has more calcium than milk does. It also has protein and live active bacteria cultures. Unlike harmful bacteria, the live cultures in yogurt help improve gut health. Yeast infections are a common yet annoying condition that occurs during pregnancies. Parents.com states that the bacteria in yogurt decreases a woman's risk of getting a yeast infection during the pregnancy.
