Super Foods for Pregnancy

Know Which Foods are Good and Which are Not

It just makes good sense that during pregnancy you pay attention to the foods you are eating. Truly, what you eat does make a difference, both to you and to your growing baby. It is important to know which foods to eliminate from your diet - because they can be potentially harmful to your baby and yourself - and which to include in your diet to optimize their value to both of you. There are some foods which pack a nutritional bang and by including them in your diet you are moving both yourself and your baby toward health and strength.

The Value of Dietary Fiber

Preeclampsia is a concern with pregnancy, and since it only occurs in pregnant women, anything you can do to reduce the risk is good. Research conducted at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle found that 24 grams of fiber every day reduced the risks of preeclampsia by 51%. That's huge! Add this result to the good news that fiber can also help reduce constipation and hemorrhoids while it boosts your intake of folic acid. Folic acid is an important component to health, especially in the early weeks of pregnancy, as it reduces the risks of birth defects.

OJ - A Great Way to Start the Day

Your blood pressure can be reduced by simply drinking two cups of pure orange juice a day. If your blood pressure tends to rise during pregnancy, this is really good news for you. The high vitamin C also helps reduce the risk of preeclampsia. Orange juice contains folic acid - you just can't get enough of that.

Yummy, and Good for You and Baby

Pregnancy complications can be minimized with a delicious banana-strawberry smoothie. It's packed with baby-friendly nutrients as well as nutrients to help reduce the risk of preeclampsia. Women who lack vitamin C in their diets are more predisposed to premature rupture of the membranes which is a leading cause of premature birth. High calcium foods like yogurt (which goes into a banana-strawberry smoothie) may help control fluid retention which, in turn, reduces the risk of high blood pressure.

Salmon and EFAs, Important for Both of You

Only six ounces of salmon per week significantly reduces the risk of premature birth by more than 5 percent. Your newborn may benefit (and so will you) by longer and better sleeping hours if you eat more fish during your pregnancy. Women who consumed more fatty acids, like those found in fish, were found to have healthier sleep patterns. DHA, the key component in the fatty acids is found in cold-water fish such as salmon.

Cut Bloating with Calcium and Protein

Low-fat yogurt has some very obvious benefits. The calcium and high protein found in yogurt are beneficial for your baby's development. At the same time, they may be useful in reducing muscle cramping - an often occurring problem in pregnancy. Calcium is also helpful in reducing bloating and water retention, and there's an added bonus - it appears calcium is also able to reduce the risk of yeast infections, another common problem in pregnancy.

By eating these power foods, you're doing a lot to ensure your health and the health of your baby is not jeopardized.