You may have heard of the quote “eating for two.” Yes, when you’re pregnant, you are carrying a human, and that makes two. However, that does not mean that you should eat twice as much food. True, you probably do want to consume a bit more calories as a pregnant woman. However, proper nutrition during pregnancy should always focus on eating and drinking healthy food and drink so that your baby can develop optimally and so that you can stay healthy during pregnancy. None of this has to be guesswork. Your doctor can help you stay on track. Also, follow the tips in this article.

Eat Lean Meats, Etc.

One of the foods you’ll need during your pregnancy is protein. But that doesn’t mean you should be eating greasy hamburgers from junk food joints. The protein that you consume should be in the form of lean meats, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, etc.

Consume Iron

You should consume foods that contain iron. Iron comes from both animal sources and plant sources. Healthy foods that contain lots of iron are spinach, beans, turkey, broccoli, and more. Again, the focus is on consuming healthy sources instead of unhealthy sources. Greasy beef contains iron, but it is not healthy for you.

Eat Lots of Fruits and Vegetables

Nutrition during pregnancy does your body good and your baby good when the focus is on lots of fruits and vegetables. Buy fruits and vegetables in season for the best taste and the best price. For example, for winter, foods in the fruit and vegetable category include kale, sweet potato, and more. In the summer, foods in the fruit and vegetable category offer a lot of choices, including cucumber, carrots, corn, plums, strawberries, peaches, etc.

Focus on a Varied Diet

Diets or strict food regimes are generally not recommended unless prescribed by your doctor. Therefore, unless you’re on some specific doctor’s orders regarding food choices, focus on a varied diet. A diverse and healthy diet includes lean meats, fish, grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits, and vegetables. Drinking water, as opposed to unhealthy drinks such as soda, is also recommended.

Take Prenatal Vitamins as Prescribed By Your Doctor

Sometimes it’s hard to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need on your own. That is why most doctors will prescribe their pregnant patients prenatal vitamins. Taking these vitamins will help you ensure that you’re getting the nutrition you need.

As you visit your doctor for your prenatal visits, he or she will let you know what condition you’re in and if you are gaining or losing too much weight. If you follow a healthy diet, along with an exercise program suitable for a pregnant woman, you will likely remain at the optimal weight throughout your pregnancy.

While it is necessary to eat a bit more during pregnancy, you don’t want to eat double. Make an emphasis on healthy food choices with a focus on getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. You’ll get what you need, and you’ll give your baby a good start in life, even before he or she is born.