{"id":3274,"date":"2020-04-27T23:09:43","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T23:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/?p=3274"},"modified":"2020-08-24T18:58:02","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T18:58:02","slug":"pregnancy-meal-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/pregnancy-meal-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy Meal Plans: What to Eat When Pregnant"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re going to have a baby. How exciting is it that you\u2019re growing an actual living being inside of you? It\u2019s a time of wonder, joy, and eager anticipation. As beautiful as all of those emotions are, it can also be a time for pregnancy headaches caused by the stress we often put on ourselves to do everything perfectly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All the preparations and decisions that during pregnancy can certainly cause headaches. You want to be sure everything in your world is <a href=\"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/best-time-to-get-pregnant\/\">ready to welcome this new person<\/a> into it. You also want to be sure you know what pregnancy meal plans to use so that you can deliver a healthy baby that\u2019s able to thrive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Do\u2019s and Don&#8217;ts of Dieting During Pregnancy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3335 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/The-Do\u2019s-and-Donts-of-Dieting-During-Pregnancy-1024x698.jpeg\" alt=\"Pregnancy Meal Plans\" width=\"1024\" height=\"698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/The-Do\u2019s-and-Donts-of-Dieting-During-Pregnancy-1024x698.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/The-Do\u2019s-and-Donts-of-Dieting-During-Pregnancy-300x204.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/The-Do\u2019s-and-Donts-of-Dieting-During-Pregnancy-768x523.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/The-Do\u2019s-and-Donts-of-Dieting-During-Pregnancy-1536x1047.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/The-Do\u2019s-and-Donts-of-Dieting-During-Pregnancy-2048x1396.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/The-Do\u2019s-and-Donts-of-Dieting-During-Pregnancy-350x239.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s so much conflicting information out there. It can be hard to follow. Here are some simple, nearly effortless ideas for pregnancy meal plans. These tips can help make things a little easier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Do<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add at least 0.4 mg of folic acid to your pregnancy meal plan each day. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/pregnancy-health\/diet-during-pregnancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Pregnancy Association<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this will help prevent dire neural tube defects. You can find folic acid in green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, etc.) and legumes (black beans, lima beans, etc.)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorporate at least 2-4 servings of fruit into your pregnancy meals throughout the day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re 4 months pregnant or due any day, you\u2019ll want to eat at least 4 servings of vegetables each and every day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be gentle on yourself. You\u2019re not going to do everything perfectly. That\u2019s an impossible expectation for anybody to carry. Just do the best you can and enjoy the beautiful joy of carrying your child inside of you.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Don\u2019t<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take certain medications. You\u2019ll want to have a conversation with your doctor to find out what medications are and aren\u2019t okay to take during pregnancy.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drink alcohol or smoke. This should go without saying, but eliminating these things from your diet is one of the best gifts you can give to your baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overindulge too often. While it\u2019s important for you to allow yourself to have special treats here and there, you don\u2019t want to go overboard. A lot of sugar can have a negative impact on both you and your baby. Everything in moderation is the way to go.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drink <a href=\"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/caffeines-effects-on-pregnancy\/\">too much caffeine<\/a>. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/clinical\/clinical-guidance\/committee-opinion\/articles\/2010\/08\/moderate-caffeine-consumption-during-pregnancy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. To put it into perspective, that&#8217;s about how much caffeine is in a 10-ounce cup of Starbucks coffee.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Are the Best and Worst Foods During Pregnancy?<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Best<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fruits and vegetables. This probably seems like an obvious answer, but you\u2019d be surprised how many of us forget to eat enough of them. You should have at least 4 servings. Things like carrots or blueberries can be healthy snacks for pregnant women.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spinach, kale, raspberries, and broccoli are the ideal iron-rich foods for pregnancy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whole-grain foods. These provide essential nutrients, such as iron, B vitamins, and fiber. Your pregnancy food chart should contain as many whole foods as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protein is essential when you\u2019re planning out healthy pregnancy meals. Eating fish and chicken can be a great way to get protein. There\u2019s plenty of ways for vegetarians to get their proper baby nutrients, too. Beans and eggs are also an excellent source of protein.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dairy provides much-needed calcium. If you drink milk during pregnancy, both you and your baby will benefit from it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Worst<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/women.smokefree.gov\/pregnancy-motherhood\/quitting-while-pregnant\/myths-about-smoking-pregnancy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nicotine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can do long-term damage to your baby. Even if you were to go one day without smoking, you\u2019d be giving your baby the gift of clean oxygen.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuna fish contains mercury. It should be limited to no more than 6 ounces per week.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sushi is a definite no-no when it comes to raw fish. You can eat California rolls or things that are cooked. Just be careful with mercury levels, as mentioned above.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol can have dire consequences on your baby. While your doctor might give you the okay for an occasional glass of wine here or there, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/ncbddd\/fasd\/alcohol-use.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heavy drinking<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can do irreparable damage to your baby. Some people might feel like it\u2019s not even worth taking the risk.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Headaches During Pregnancy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some women find themselves getting increased headaches in pregnancy. It can possibly be due to a lack of maintaining the proper blood sugar levels. This is why snacks for pregnant women are imperative. You can even eat smaller, more frequent meals to help relieve a recurring headache during pregnancy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Diet Advice for Each Trimester<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3334 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Pregnancy-Meal-Plans-What-to-Eat-When-Pregnant-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"Pregnancy Meal Plans What to Eat When Pregnant\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Pregnancy-Meal-Plans-What-to-Eat-When-Pregnant-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Pregnancy-Meal-Plans-What-to-Eat-When-Pregnant-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Pregnancy-Meal-Plans-What-to-Eat-When-Pregnant-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Pregnancy-Meal-Plans-What-to-Eat-When-Pregnant-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Pregnancy-Meal-Plans-What-to-Eat-When-Pregnant-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Pregnancy-Meal-Plans-What-to-Eat-When-Pregnant-350x197.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><b>First Trimester<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those first three months of pregnancy are a delicate time. This is when you\u2019ll want to start taking <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/pregnancy-week-by-week\/in-depth\/prenatal-vitamins\/art-20046945\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prenatal vitamins<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They provide essential supplements your baby needs to develop into a healthy newborn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Second Trimester<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are few things more exciting than hitting that three months pregnant mark. For the most part, you\u2019re out of the woods. Just be sure you\u2019re consuming dairy products, protein, calcium, and folic acid. Your growing baby needs all of these things in order to thrive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Third Trimester<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re in the home stretch. You\u2019re finally about to meet your baby. Finding the right balance of healthy green legumes, sweet potatoes, salmon, eggs, broccoli, and lean meat will be a gift to both you and your baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Is It Okay to Diet During Pregnancy?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can absolutely follow a special diet of whole foods or something similar while you are pregnant. You want the baby to get as much nutrition as possible. What\u2019s not okay is going on a weight loss diet. While you need to maintain a healthy weight, <a href=\"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/safest-ways-to-losing-weight-while-you-are-pregnant\/\">losing weight<\/a> while you\u2019re pregnant is a terrible idea.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Takeaway<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether this is your first baby or not, there\u2019s so much preparation to focus on. Eat healthy meals that offer both you and your baby the nutrients you both need. The way your body looks should be the last thing on your mind. Instead, be gentle with yourself as you form a special little human inside of you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019re going to have a baby. How exciting is it that you\u2019re growing an actual living being inside of you? It\u2019s a time of wonder, joy, and eager anticipation. As beautiful as all of those emotions are, it can also be a time for pregnancy headaches caused by the stress we often put on ourselves &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/pregnancy-meal-plans\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Pregnancy Meal Plans: What to Eat When Pregnant<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":null},"categories":[31],"tags":[124],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3274"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3274"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3274\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}