Pregnancy Superfoods You Need in Your Mouth Right Now!
A Big Bunch of Pregnancy Superfoods to Get Your Teeth Into
Pregnant? Hungry? Craving something healthy? ‘Yes, yes and heck no!’ I hear you cry. Well, whether you fancy something wholesome or not, we both know how important pregnancy superfoods are for you and your baby. If nausea’s got you running for the fries, make every mouthful of greens count with these vitamin and mineral packed goodies.
Beans and Pulses
The humble bean is full of vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre. With lentils, chickpeas, and beans of all kinds on the menu you’ll have no problem sneaking them into your snacks. The masses of fibre in these babies will fend off uncomfortable conditions like constipation and haemorrhoids, while the protein builds the cells in your baby and you.
Fancy some crunch? Whack some hummus on a cracker with a sliver of cucumber and you’ve got a yummy savoury treat loaded with flavour. It’s easy to jazz up this simple topping with a hint of chili, or a smattering of creamy white beans. Yum.
Berries
Feeling funky? Berries are a great way to freshen things up when you’re under the weather. They come bursting with vitamin C and folic acid and with plenty to choose from- blueberries, strawberries, gooseberries and more- you’re not short of variety. Don’t forget to wash them though!
Why not blend them up in a smoothie, or plop them on pancakes with something naughty like syrup or ice-cream?
Beef
Moo-moo meat is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about healthy foods, but beef contains a hefty chunk of protein and iron, important for blood. This is valuable for your baby, and also for you. Your blood volume increases hugely in pregnancy, so you need more iron-containing haemoglobin as part of that.
I’d love to tell you to fry yourself up a blue steak, but unfortunately rare meat’s off the menu due to the risk of toxoplasmosis. Instead, content yourself with a comforting beef stew or tasty beef tacos (add some guac or avocados for good measure).
Apricots
These scrummy little fruits are a great source of fibre, folic acid and surprisingly, iron. Awesome fresh, they also make a handy snack when dried.
If you’re not in a sweet and fruity mood, why not try out this fragrant Lamb and Apricot Tagine.
Dairy
Oh yes, you need to start jamming your face with dairy products. Milk and the food family around it are definitely a pregnancy superfood. They’re a great source of calcium; essential for healthy bones and with a wealth of protein. If you can stomach some dairy, it’s great news.
Nevertheless, don’t forget that it’s not a good idea to eat mold-ripened cheeses like brie or camembert, or blue veiny cheeses like Stilton or Danish Blue: there’s a risk that they can carry listeria, which is harmful for babies. Likewise, unpasteurised milk may carry dangerous diseases. Goats’ milk should also be avoided as can contain toxoplasmosis bacteria.
There are loads of things you can do with dairy. Whether you top lashings of creamy yoghurt with fruit and muesli, or simply stick to a glass of good-old-fashioned milk, you won’t be short of options.
Hungry for More?
There are heaps more healthy goodies out there, so keep an eye out for our next feature on pregnancy superfoods. In the meantime, why not let us know of your own favourite pregnancy foods? Get in touch in the comments section, or find us on Instagram @CheskiSockCompany
