Good nutrition is vital during pregnancy. Everything a pregnant woman eats goes directly to the baby too. For this reason, it's important to eat a balanced diet during pregnancy. Good nutrition is the best way to take care of your unborn baby. A women should start eating right as soon as she finds out she is pregnant. She should educate herself on the best foods to eat and what foods to avoid during the entire pregnancy.

A pregnant woman should eat an extra 300 calories a day. It is a misconception that she must "eat for two", meaning eat twice the amount of food she would normally eat. Each day she should include fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, and whole grains in her diet.

Protein is very important to have for the development of a baby. Experts recommend a pregnant and lactating woman have 71 grams of protein per day....

Gluten is a protein found in foods made from wheat and grains like barley, bulgar wheat, durum, einkorn, farro, graham, kamut, spelt, and triticale. When a person is told to start a gluten-free diet they may become overwhelmed fast. The information that needs to be learned can be overbearing and confusing at first. Start simple and focus on foods that are naturally gluten-free like fruits, fish, vegetables, meat, and eggs.

Dairy

If your doctor says you can continue having dairy, try plain yogurt with 100% jam, syrup, or honey. Avoid flavored yogurt and brands containing granola because they are made with barley. Block cheeses are normally safe if they are plain and aged. Goat cheese is also a form of dairy and typically safe to eat. Remember to always check ingredient fillers, additives, and flavorings to be certain they are...