What To Eat During Pregnancy, Trimester 2
Second Trimester is the time for some fun. Nausea and Fatigue that plagued you throughout your first trimester will start fading gradually. You feel fresh than ever before and love being yourself again if you correctly understand what to eat during pregnancy, trimester 2. Start preparing for the arrival of your baby and train your toddler about the new addition.
Second trimester is the time when the growth of baby is extremely rapid. Thus, making second trimester, the best time to consume nutritious food.
What to eat during pregnancy is a nerve wrenching question, for which most of the pregnant mothers search for a perfect straight answer. With so many conflicting answers, it became further complicated. If you are confused what to eat during pregnancy for a better baby, especially in the second trimester, we have tried to picture a chart of what your body needs and what should be consumed during second trimester of pregnancy.
Here is a list of top 10 foods that should be consumed during second trimester
1. Eggs
Eggs are packed with so many vital nutrients. It is a super food filled with several proteins, minerals and fats. Consuming an egg per day (boiled egg) is extremely healthy for the foetus. However, if your cholesterol levels are too high, consult your health partner before consuming.
a) Growth of Baby:
Every cell of baby is made of protein and egg is rich in protein. Having eggs in limited quantities can help the baby get enough proteins for its growth.
b) Development of Brain:
Egg contains Choline and omega-3 fatty acids that help in the healthy development of brain of foetus. It also helps to keep the baby away from neural tube defects and improves the memory power.
2. Avacodos
Avacados are helpful during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Adding avocados to your diet during pregnancy can help you punch your nutrients requirements and helps you stay energetic.
a) Morning Sickness:
If you are still suffering from morning sickness, avocados are simple best to give you some relief. The vitamin B6 present in avocado helps to prevent and cure nausea. For better results, let it be the first thing you eat after you get up.
b) Strengthens Neural System:
Do you know an avocado a day keep the neurologist away. The folate packed avocado promotes the early development of baby. It strengthens neural tube and keeps spinal bifida at bay.
c) Nutrient Absorber:
Avacodo helps in the absorption of nutrients from all the fat-soluble fibres like vegetables and are the best diet addition to grab some healthy fat. They maintain levels of sugar and decrease the levels of cholesterol in blood.
3. Papaya:
You must be wondering how a papaya can be safe during pregnancy. Yes! You read it right. You can eat papaya as long as it is ripe. A ripened papaya is rich in vitamin E, vitamin C, Fibre and folic acid. Never eat unripe papaya and papaya’s skin and its seeds.
a) Constipation:
Constipation is the most common and most irritating ailment every pregnant women go through. Eating papaya as a snack in the evening helps in controlling constipation as well as heartburn. It also relieves from bloating and gastric troubles.
b) Increase the levels of Hemoglobin:
Papaya improves the Hemoglobin levels and helps in better oxygen absorption. It prevents the onset of anaemia and respiratory problems.
c) Improves Milk Production:
Galactagogue present in papaya helps to improve the milk production and it is very important to include papaya in the diet of lactating mothers.
4. Milk:
It is vital to drink milk during pregnancy to ease the process of labor. It also makes pregnancy healthier.
a) Strengthens Bones:
Calcium present in milk is extremely helpful to pregnant women. During pregnancy, women should consume enough calcium to meet the requirement of baby. Your baby tends to take calcium from your body if it does not get enough calcium for growth of its bones.
b) Birth Weight:
Milk is rich in proteins. Studies state that insufficient amounts of proteins during pregnancy lead to low birth weight in babies and also lead to several health issues after delivery. Women who drank less milk(less than a cup) during pregnancy, usually gives birth to smaller babies.
c) Multiple Sclerosis:
Chances of multiple sclerosis are less in women who drank more milk during pregnancy compared to others.
d) Neonatal Rickets:
Vitamin D present in milk prevents Neonatal Rickets and low birth weight. Vitamin D is rarely found in other foods, thus making milk the best Vitamin D supplement.
5. Spinach
Spinach is a super food in every possible sense for both and non pregnant women. It is a great addition to diet during pregnancy.
a) Coping up with the volume of blood flow:
In pregnant women, the overall flow of volume of blood increases and to cope with this, intake of iron should be increased. Second trimester requires more iron and if you are low in iron you feel sick and tired all the time.
b) Minimizes the Chances of Neural Defects:
Spinach contains folate which like said earlier helps the child to have no neural defects.
c) Antioxidant:
Vitamin C present in spinach is an antioxidant which helps to keep the immunity system strong. It fights with foreign objects instantly, keeping both baby and mother healthy throughout the pregnancy.
d) Minimizes Constipation:
Spinach is rich in fibre which eases bowel movements and reduces the discomfort caused by constipation.
6. Strawberries
Strawberries are wonder fruits and are highly beneficial to maintain the optimal health of both mother and baby. If you are allergenic to strawberry, stay away from them. The phytochemicals, natural plant chemicals is extremely good for fetus and mother.
a) Manage Blood Pressure:
Manganese and potassium present in strawberries is extremely effective in controlling the blood pressure which usually shoots up during pregnancy.
b) Strengthen Cardiac Muscles:
Nutrients and Vitamin B present in strawberries makes the cardiac muscles stronger and makes the functioning of mother’s heart better. It keeps the heart healthier.
c) Structure of Bones:
Manganese in strawberries keeps the health of bones intact and maintains the structure of bones in mother-to-be and baby.
d) Proper Functioning of Brain:
Strawberries are rich in Iodine which is very helpful which promotes the function of nervous system and brain of fetus.
e) Minimizes Gout and Joint Pains:
The detoxifiers and oxidants present in strawberries push away the problems of gout pain and joint pains which are terrible during pregnancy.
7. Omega-3 Supplements(Fish oil made from body of the fish)
Fish oil made from the liver of fish is not safe to consume during pregnancy. But the oil made from body of the fish is good and healthy. Omega-3 fatty acids are unfortunately not made in our body, hence need oral consumption. Consult your health partner before consuming.
a) Vision Development of baby:
Early vision development of baby is promoted by omega-3 supplements. It can make the baby’s eyes sharper and bright.
b) Safeguards Heart:
Consumption of this oil once in a week, during and after pregnancy, keeps the mother and baby away from heart related ailments. It also improves the quality and quantity of breast milk after delivery.
c) Neurological Development:
Omega-3 is known for its working abilities in improving neural tube of baby during pregnancy.
8. Sesame Seeds:
Sesame Seeds, also called Gingelly Seeds are rich in iron, calcium, oxalic acid, proteins, amino acids, vitamin B, C and E. It is extremely healthy and a must (in controlled quantities) during pregnancy. There is a belief that Sesame Seeds are heat emitting food and causes miscarriage or premature delivery. However, there is no evidence that Sesame Seeds are unsafe during pregnancy.
a) Important for Vegetarians:
Sesame Seeds are rich in calcium, an important dietary supplement required for vegetarian pregnant woman. If you are told to avoid milk and nuts, Sesame seeds are the best alternative to get the required amount of calcium.
b) Supply of Oxygen:
Iron present in Gingelly seeds improves the supply of oxygen to the baby in the womb which is very important for its normal and healthy growth. During pregnancy, you need 30 milligrams of Iron every day.
c) Regulate Constipation:
Constipation is commonly found in pregnant women and sesame seeds are the natural ingredients to regulate the problem of constipation.
d) Boosts Immunity:
During winter, to keep cold and flu at bay, consume Sesame Seeds which can improve your immunity, safeguards your body and baby from ailments and keeps you healthy.
e) Controls Frequency of Urination:
During pregnancy, the frequency of urination is too high. Sesame Seeds are known to control the urine output naturally. This minimizes the problem of dehydration.
9. Carrot Juice:
Pamper yourself with fresh carrot juices for healthy pregnancy and smooth delivery. Carrot juice is the best energizer to get rid of fatigue and stress.
a) Keeps Cell membranes Clean:
Carrot helps in keeping the membranes of cell clean and healthy which is very important during pregnancy to ensure health of fetus. This protects the baby from infections.
b) Control Blood Sugar Levels:
During pregnancy, there is chance of onset of Gestational Diabetes which occurs due to high levels of sugar in blood. Carrot juice helps in controlling the blood sugar levels and minimizes the risk of diabetes.
c) Gifts healthy skin to baby:
Carrot juice helps in improving the flesh, skin and muscles of unborn baby. These effects last even after the baby’s birth.
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