Healthy Eating During Pregnancy - What Food Good for Pregnant Women

 

When I first find out I am having a baby, I am so happy but also I am very, very scared. I look at my plate of food and I think, "Oh no, is this okay for the little one?" I spend many nights on the computer looking for answers. My English is not the best, but I want to help other moms who feel confused like me. Healthy eating during pregnancy is the most important thing because the baby eats what you eat. So, let us talk about some foods and if they are good or bad.

Are cherries good for pregnant woman to eat?

Many people ask me, are cherries good for pregnant woman? I love cherries because they are small, red, and very sweet. When I was pregnant, I eat them all the time. The answer is yes, they are very good! Cherries have something called Vitamin C. This helps your body stay strong so you do not get sick. When you are pregnant, you do not want to get a cold because you cannot take many medicines.

Also, cherries help you sleep. Many moms-to-be have a hard time sleeping because the belly is big and the baby is kicking. Cherries have a natural thing called melatonin. This tells your brain, "Hey, it is time to go to bed now." I find that if I eat a few cherries before sleep, I feel more calm. They also have fiber. Fiber is very important because sometimes, going to the bathroom is hard when you are pregnant. We call this constipation. It is not fun! But cherries make things move better. Just make sure you wash them very well. Dirt has germs, and we do not want germs.

The sweet benefits of honey for pregnant women

Next thing is honey. I love honey in my tea. There are many benefits of honey for pregnant women that people do not talk about enough. Honey is much better than white sugar. White sugar just makes you hyper and then tired. Honey gives you energy that lasts a bit longer.

One big benefit is for the stomach. Sometimes, when the baby grows, your stomach feels like it has fire inside. People call this heartburn. If you take a spoon of honey with some warm milk, it feels like a soft blanket on your throat and stomach. It stops the burning feeling. Also, if you have a cough, honey is the best natural medicine. Since we try to avoid strong chemicals, honey is a gift from the bees.

Some people worry about honey and babies. It is true, do not give honey to a baby under one year old. But for the mommy? It is safe! Your body is strong enough to handle it, and the baby gets the good things through you. Just buy the good honey, not the cheap one that is mostly corn syrup. Look for the "pure" label.

Finding the best soup for pregnant women

When it is cold outside, or when I feel a bit sick in the morning, I always want soup. But what is the best soup for pregnant women? I think the best one is chicken noodle soup with lots of vegetables.

Why chicken? Because chicken has protein. The baby needs protein to build muscles and a strong heart. I put carrots, celery, and spinach in my soup. Spinach is like a magic leaf for pregnant women because it has iron. If you don't have enough iron, you feel very, very tired all day.

Another great soup is lentil soup. Lentils are small but they are like little power balls. They have folic acid. If you ask any doctor, they will say "Folic acid is number one!" It helps the baby's brain and back grow the right way. I like to cook my soup for a long time so the vegetables are soft and easy to eat. It is also good for staying hydrated. Drinking water is boring sometimes, so soup is a tasty way to get more water in your body.

Can a pregnant woman eat beef jerky?

This is a tricky one. I had a big craving for salty things. I see the bag at the store and I ask, can a pregnant woman eat beef jerky? I have to tell you the truth here. It is better to say no or be very, very careful.

Beef jerky is dried meat, but it is not cooked with high heat like a steak. This means there might be tiny bugs inside called bacteria or parasites. One is called Listeria. If a pregnant woman gets Listeria, it can be very dangerous for the baby. Also, jerky has a lot of salt. Too much salt makes your feet swell up like balloons. I remember my shoes didn't fit because I ate too much salt!

If you really, really want meat, it is better to cook a nice piece of beef until it is brown all the way through. No pink meat! If you must have the jerky taste, maybe try a "soy jerky" or make sure the brand is very high quality, but most doctors say it is a "no-go." It is better to be safe for nine months than to be sorry later.

Eating more fruits

Let's go back to fruit. Beside cherries, I think bananas are great. They are easy to carry in your bag. If you feel dizzy, a banana helps. It has potassium. This helps with leg cramps. Oh, the leg cramps are the worst! They usually happen in the middle of the night. You wake up and your leg feels like it is being pulled by a tractor. Eating potassium helps stop that.

And apples! An apple a day is true. It keeps your teeth clean and gives you vitamins. I like to slice them and put a little bit of that honey we talked about on top. It is like a healthy candy.

Talking about eggs

I should mention eggs. Eggs are cheap and very good. They have something called "choline." This is a big word, but it just means "brain food." It helps the baby learn things later. I like my eggs boiled. Do not eat runny eggs! Like the beef jerky, raw or runny eggs can have Salmonella. You must cook the yellow part until it is hard. It might not taste as fancy, but it is the safest way for the little one.

Water is your best friend

I know I said water is boring, but you must drink it. Your body is making a whole person! That takes a lot of fluid. If you don't drink water, you get headaches. I keep a big bottle next to me all the time. If you don't like the taste, put a slice of lemon or even one of those cherries in it. It makes it look pretty and taste a little bit better.

My final thoughts for you

Being pregnant is a long journey. Some days you want to eat everything, and some days you want to eat nothing. That is okay. Just try to pick the good things most of the time.

Remember:

1. Cherries are good for pregnant woman because of sleep and Vitamin C.
2. There are many benefits of honey for pregnant women, especially for heartburn.
3. The best soup for pregnant women is one with chicken, lentils, and lots of green leaves.
4. When you ask can a pregnant woman eat beef jerky, remember the risk of germs and too much salt.

You are doing a great job. Even if you make a mistake and eat something "bad" one time, do not cry. Just try better at the next meal. Your body is amazing for growing a life. Eat well, rest much, and be happy!

I hope my simple words help you today. I am not a doctor, just a mom who reads a lot and wants to share. If you have a question, ask your doctor too, because every body is different. Good luck to all the beautiful moms out there!