Foods to Eat When Pregnant That Will Help to Boost Your Energy

Do you often feel exhausted now that you are pregnant? Fatigue, exhaustion and lack of energy are common during pregnancy, specifically during your first and third trimester. During the first trimester, your body is still adjusting along with new hormones that affect your energy level and when you reach your third trimester, your bulging belly and a bigger baby inside your womb consumes most of your energy. But you don’t have to worry for there are many remedies to fight fatigue and lack of energy during pregnancy. Aside from low-impact exercise, rest and water, there are many foods to eat when pregnant that can help in boosting your energy.

With healthy eating, you can improve your energy without reaching for sweets that can temporarily give you a rush or grabbing a cup of coffee which can harm your baby. Rather, you must choose foods that don’t just give you energy but also contain good nutrients needed for your pregnant body and for your growing baby. So, here are some healthy energy giving foods that you can eat while pregnant.

Never cut carbohydrates in your pregnancy diet as this food groups primary role is to provide energy. Most pregnant women stay away from all carbohydrates, even the good ones fearing that they will gain too much pregnancy weight. For healthier options, go for complex carbohydrates like brown rice, oatmeal and those with whole wheat. These good carbohydrates also contain fiber that can prevent constipation which affects many pregnant women as well as other minerals and vitamins.

Foods that contain Vitamin C and beta carotene help in enhancing your energy and can be found in broccoli and carrots while those with anti-oxidants like blueberries help in stimulating the brain, giving you full energy to face your busy day. Vitamin C which can be found in many fruits also helps in fighting nausea which can also drain your energy while pregnant. On the other hand, foods with Vitamin B6 have been proven to produce a substance known as serotonin which has a calming effect on a pregnant woman, making you more relaxed. To get enough supply of Vitamin B6-rich foods, eat chicken, bananas and sweet potato.

Lastly, it is important to take small meals and healthy snacks to get you going. Good foods to eat when pregnant as snacks that give you more energy include dried fruits and whole grain nuts. If you want fruit, choose fresh produce rather than canned or processed which only contain sugars.

Nutrition and healthy eating is very important for any pregnant woman. With healthy eating and knowing the right foods to eat when pregnant, you can control some mild health conditions during pregnancy like fatigue. Supplement these foods with rest, relaxation and enough liquid intake and you will be full of energy throughout your pregnancy.

Foods to Eat When Pregnant That Will Help to Boost Your Energy

What To Eat During Your Third Trimester

Your baby is going to be here soon and is developing fast to ensure survival in the outside world. Your body is also preparing itself for breastfeeding. As well as your babies kidneys, lungs, and brain growing at a fast pace, so is babies body. You baby typically gains about a half pound a week. Usually you the mom gains about a pound a week as well. So make sure you and your baby are getting the proper nutrition, both of you need to ensure healthy development. Here are some tips on eating well for you and your baby.

During the third trimester you should try to add about 300 extra calories to what you are already eating. Never try to diet or watch what you are eating when you are pregnant. Watch what you eat, don’t eat McDonald’s 2 times a day, but eat healthy and eat when your hungry. Your body will tell you when you have had enough to eat.

During pregnancy you also need a lot of protein to help ensure proper development of both breast milk production as well as your healthy baby. The food pyramid says that you need 5 to 7 serving of meat a day and about 3 cups of milk to meet your protein requirements. You should definitely eat meat, poultry, eggs, fish and dairy while pregnant. Watch your fish intake though, fish can be high in mercury and can be harmful to the fetus. If eating fish, stay away from fish such as swordfish and King Mackerel. you can consume 12 ounces of cod, salmon, and light tuna a week. Of course consult your doctor before eating fish.

You also need iron and folic acid your need for these vitamins increase by 50% when pregnant. Along with taking your prenatal vitamins you can eat foods such as high fiber cereals and foods rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. Eat a lot of grains, meats, poultry, beans, and dark green vegetables. These contain both iron and folic acid.

Drink a lot of fluids as well. Drink at least 8 to 10 8 ounce glasses of water or milk a day. You digest things slower so you can get constipated so make sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Eat when your hungry, let your body tell you how much you need to eat. Don’t wait until you are starving to eat then you will eat large amounts of unhealthy food. Eat when feeling hungry that way you can choose healthy foods instead of junk food. Healthy choices during the last trimester is healthy for you and your baby, so be conscious of what you are eating and enjoy eating anything you want, because odds are you will have to diet and watch your calories the rest of your life.

What To Eat During Your Third Trimester

Stages of Pregnancy Week by Week – Third Trimester

The stages of pregnancy week by week are amazing, the third trimester will bring a lot of changes and development with your baby. On the 28th week, he is going to grow and develop at an astounding rate. The eyebrows and eyelashes are now present and the hair on the scalp is growing. The eyes will be completely formed and the eyelids will open. Your baby’s body will be plumper and rounder during this stage and should weigh about 2 pounds, 2 to 3% of which is body fat. You can talk and sing to your baby now because he can recognize your voice.

As you continue with the stages of pregnancy week by week, the eyelids will open and close and his toenails will be growing. The brain will continue to develop rapidly. By the 32nd week, the baby’s senses should be fully functional. The toenails are completely formed and the hair on the scalp will continue to grow.

Soon enough, the baby will develop immunities so he can fight mild infection. On your 35th week, your baby should be around five and a half pounds. The fat accumulation will continue to plump the arms and legs this week. The baby is big enough to take up most of the uterus so there would be less room to move around. On the 36th week, the baby is almost ready and he can drop into the birth canal at any time now. By week 37, your baby should weigh about 6.5 pounds and he should be practicing breathing movements in preparation for life outside the womb.

On the last two weeks of your pregnancy, the lungs will continue to mature and surfactant production will increase. The baby won’t be able to move around too much anymore because the womb space will be crowded by now. The last week may feel like it’s the longest week in your entire life. Don’t fuss about it too much because your due date is just an estimate. You can print a free online pregnancy calendar so you can monitor the developments and stages of pregnancy week by week.

Stages of Pregnancy Week by Week – Third Trimester