Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

When I was pregnant with my son, I remember walking all the time, swimming a bunch and cooking great meals. My pregnancy was great and labor was short, only three hours. My doctor said everything went so smoothly because I had stayed in shape, ate good and kept my body healthy during my pregnancy. I wish the same could be said for this time around. Overweight to begin with, constantly eating on the go and most of the time I am so tired I have no energy or motivation to go outside and just walk. I have fallen into a slump and over the last four and a half years, seemed to have forgotten how to get, be and stay healthy during pregnancy.

Before I remember being able to go to the grocery store and I knew what I should and should not eat. Now when I go to the grocery store I am often lost, thinking to myself can I eat this, is this good for me now, is it good for the baby? I question simple foods, thinking that I have heard or read somewhere that they could possibly be harmful. There is so much hype over what people should and should not eat these days that I get nervous about picking new things to eat, but even more so now that I am pregnant.

When it comes to choosing what foods to eat, most pregnant women, me included, want to make sure we pick healthy foods that will keep not only us, but the baby healthy. With the help of a pregnancy books and the internet I have discovered all sorts of food that a good for a pregnant women. Then, with some more digging I learned what some really great foods for pregnant women are.

Although they are not a favorite of mine, avocados appear to be a great fruit for pregnant women, no matter if it is on a sandwich or as a guacamole dip. Avocados have tons of folic acid which is crucial in developing the baby's brain and nervous system as well as potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B6. Another added benefit of avocado, mostly in part because of the B6, is that it may help ease morning sickness.

Another great fruit is the delicious mango. This very versatile fruit is good in anything from salads and smoothies to sandwiches and tacos. Mangoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which aid in the development of the baby's bones, as well as potassium.

Nuts, such as walnuts, peanuts and almonds are a simple, easy snack, very convenient and are great by themselves or mixed in a salad. So why are nuts so good for pregnant women? They are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Walnuts have this extra brain-boosting DHA for baby.

I like dairy products and enjoy a good bowl of ice cream now and again and while dairy is great for pregnant women because of all the vitamins and calcium, I did learn of a particular dairy product that beats the rest. Yogurt! Yogurt is an excellent dairy source for moms to be. It is not only full of calcium but also protein and folic acid. Another benefits for mom is that it can prevent upset stomach as well as yeast infections. After reading how yogurt is best for us pregnant women, when I went shopping I bought a pack of pomegranate yogurts.

Now, let u look at what I learned about foods to avoid. First I read about the no brainer, no alcohol while pregnant and the risks to the baby. It is also recommended to cut down or possible avoid caffeine, including coffee. However, as my midwife said to me, "You do not have to quit cold turkey, it is okay to have just one cup a few times a week." She did not however, suggest a soda once or twice a week.

Other foods to avoid include raw fish and fish with high levels of mercury. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant women should avoid soft cheeses, such as Brie, Blue Cheese, Feta and Camembert because if unpasteurized soft cheese can cause a bacterial disease. Unlike good foods to eat, there are not that many foods that are going to cause hard to mom or baby during the pregnancy. Avoiding these few items will be no problem for me and most other moms, I would hope.