Expecting a precious bundle? Now’s the time to pay even more attention to your diet.
Eating for two? How you choose to fuel your body is always important, but when you’re pregnant, eating healthfully becomes even more of a must. Happily, it’s easy to get those vital nutrients by enjoying a nutrient-rich, balanced diet that will help both you and your unborn baby thrive.
Tuck into a rainbow of fruits and veggies
Fruits and vegetables are the multi-tasking superstars of the pregnancy menu as they’re a great source of essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Green leafy veggies like spinach and citrus fruits like oranges are excellent sources of fibre as well as folic acid. The latter is important as it helps protect against birth defects to your baby’s brain and spine. Spinach gets an extra shout out for containing iron that’s essential for a healthy blood-oxygen supply as well as immune-boosting vitamin C that helps your body absorb the iron. You’ll also want to include more berries in your diet as they’re packed with antioxidants that can help protect the cellular health of mom and baby.
Pile your plate with protein
Protein is the building block of life and especially important for your growing baby. Experts recommend pregnant women eat around 70 grams per day, making lean protein sources like skinless chicken and fish a top choice for expectant moms. You’ll also get more bang for your buck from oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines. These contain omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats that are vital for healthy brain development. If you’re a vegetarian, you still have options – Greek yogurt, tempeh, chia seeds, quinoa, edamame beans and eggs can help you hit the daily requirement. Alternatively, you could rely on a vegetarian protein supplement or look out for protein-fortified foods. A single serving of ProNutro contains almost 10g of protein along with a host of vitamins and minerals including folic acid.
Dairy products are a fantastic source of calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth for both mom and baby. Pregnant women should aim to consume 700mg per day which is why milk, yoghurt and cheese are all great sources. To give you an idea, 200ml of milk or a pot of yoghurt will serve up just over 200mg of calcium. If you're lactose intolerant, don't worry! Lactose-free dairy products and fortified plant-based milks can also provide the calcium you need. You’ll also find calcium in non-dairy foods like sardines (again – those oily fish are our friends) as well as baked beans and even fruits like oranges.
Life insurance is another way to protect your baby
If you’ve got a life insurance policy, that’s great! Now’s a good time to consider increasing your life insurance cover and, if you’re with MiWayLife, we make that easy to do at any time. While you cannot list your child as a beneficiary before they’re born, you can do so once they arrive. However, many expectant parents simply list each other as the beneficiary to ensure that, should either one of them pass away, they’ve created a much-need safety net to ensure more financial security for their little one. Congratulations! Here’s to a lifetime of eating well and reaping the reward of good health for you and your growing family.
Did You Know:
You can now take out life cover with us online in a few simple steps. No calls and no agents! Make sure to take care of those you love today by buying MiWayLife cover online.
