When youre pregnant, you are building another life inside of you, so your nutritional needs increase just a bit. Proper
pregnancy nutrition should consist of organic meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables to help you get the vitamins and minerals you need for good health.
Organic Fruits and Vegetables during Pregnancy
Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of nutrients the body needs to stay healthy. For instance, the vitamin C found in red peppers helps support the immune system; the folic acid found in citrus fruits helps prevent spina bifida; and the calcium contained in green leafy vegetables is essential for strong bones and teeth.
When you dont get enough fruits and veggies in your diet during pregnancy, you risk nutritional deficiencies that can affect your unborn babys health. This is why its recommended that you eat five to nine servings per day.
Industrial farmers use synthetic pesticides and fungicides to control pests and diseases on their crops. These chemicals build up on the produce, get into the soil and taint the edible portions of your fruits and vegetables.
No matter how much you wash and peel, you wont be able to remove all of the chemical residue. Leafy vegetables like spinach, and produce with thin skin have the highest concentration of pesticides.
When you eat chemical-laden fruits and vegetables while youre pregnant, the toxins can cross the placenta and get into your babys system. Because your baby has an immature metabolism, his body cannot metabolize toxins efficiently. This is why eating organic produce during pregnancy is important.
If you cant buy all of your fruits and veggies organic, concentrate on the ones that contain the highest levels of chemical residue. According to a list put out by the Environmental Working Group, the most chemical-laden produce includes:
strawberries
peaches
celery
nectarines
blueberries
apples
spinach
bell pepper
cherries
kale
potatoes
grapes
Eat Seafood to Get Omega-3 While Pregnant
Seafood is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for healthy brain, retina and nervous system development in babies. Adequate intake of this fatty acid can also reduce your risk of preterm labor and postpartum depression.
Large predatory fish like king mackerel, shark and tilefish contain high levels of mercury and should be avoided. When mercury accumulates in your body during pregnancy, it can damage your babys nervous system. Some safe seafood choices include:
ocean perch
scallops
salmon
shrimp
crawfish
catfish
whitefish
king crab
farmed caviar
clams
tilapia
rock lobster
flounder
oysters
calamari
sole
herring
hake
Eat Organic Meat and Poultry for Protein and Iron While Pregnant
Meat and poultry contains the iron and protein your unborn baby needs for optimum development. Iron is vital for the red blood cells that help transport oxygen through the body. When you dont eat enough iron-rich foods during pregnancy, you will not have the energy you need to function throughout the day.
Protein is essential for the growth of your babys internal organs, fingers and toes. This nutrient is particularly important during the second trimester of pregnancy when your fetus is growing the most.
When youre pregnant, its important that all of the poultry and meats you consume are organic. Unlike meat and poultry from industrially raised animals, organic livestock doesnt contain growth hormones or antibiotics that can harm your babys health.
Getting the right nutrients can mean the difference between a healthy pregnancy, and one thats filled with complications. Eating fish, meat, poultry, fruits and vegetables can help you get the nutrients you need to have a strong and happy baby.
