You’ve seen those two pink lines on the pregnancy test and your world is about to change. It’s an amazing feeling to know that you are pregnant and are soon going to welcome a mini you in this world. But in this euphoria, don’t ignore your diet and health.
Diet plays an important role throughout pregnancy, because when you nourish your body, you nourish the growing baby inside you. At the same time, your body goes through many changes and to help it cope with these changes, your diet needs to be healthy and nutritious. You will experience a range of physical symptoms such as bloating, nausea and mood changes due to hormonal imbalance. A healthy diet can help you cope with these changes in a better way.
Here’s a guide to healthy eating in every trimester
First trimester
The first few months of pregnancy require a diet rich in folates. “Folic acid is an important addition to your diet as it helps sustain and develop the embryo. Include foods such as oranges, sweet potatoes, legumes. You will also need calcium, so include dairy products as well,” says nutritionist Iram Zaidi. Other good sources of calcium are dark and green leafy vegetables, broccoli, asparagus among others.
In the first three months, many women also experience morning sickness. You can include soups between meals. You can also include ginger, food rich in carbs and protein to help deal with morning sickness.
Sugarcane juice is another good option during pregnancy. “It is a rich source of nutrients like Vitamin A, magnesium, potassium and iron. It offers instant energy and is an immunity booster,” says Jasleen Kaur, nutritionist, OMG! (Oh My Ganna).
Second trimester
By the time you’re into the second trimester, your body needs an additional 300-500 calories per day to help your baby grow. “Add in good fats such as avocado, salmon and fish liver oil in your diet. And also make sure to include enough iron, meats, whole grain, dried fruits and legumes,” says Zaidi.