Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables will ensure that you and your baby receive some of the essential nutrients you need. Each group of fruits and vegetables provides different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Another benefit of consuming a wide range of fruits and vegetables is that, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, your baby “tastes” the foods you eat through the amniotic fluid, increasing the likelihood of recognizing and accepting these flavors later in life.
Beans
You already know that protein is important during pregnancy, but you should also be aware that fiber can become your best friend during these nine months. During pregnancy, the gastrointestinal system slows down, leading to constipation and hemorrhoids for many women. Consuming fiber can help prevent and relieve these issues.
Foods rich in fiber are also packed with nutrients. Beans are excellent sources of iron, folate, calcium, and zinc.
Walnuts
If you don’t like fish or eggs but still want to get omega-3 fatty acids — which are essential for your baby’s brain development — try walnuts, one of the richest plant-based sources of omega-3s. A handful of walnuts is a perfect snack or a great addition to a salad.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes get their orange color from carotenoids, plant pigments that our bodies convert into vitamin A. They are also a great source of vitamin C, folate, and fiber.
Green vegetables
Spinach, kale, chard, and other leafy green vegetables are rich in vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as valuable folic acid.
