So, your little bundle of joy is soon going to double your happiness. Congratulations!
For a smooth and healthy pregnancy, eating a healthy diet is very important. During this time your body needs additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals Eating healthy and following a diet plan can be a challenge, especially when you have crazy food cravings.
Making healthier food choices and eating right is important to provide your body with important nutrients your body needs for the health of you and your baby. Because what you eat during pregnancy is important for your baby’s growth and development. During pregnancy, your body needs extra 300 calories per day to perform its normal functions. Therefore, it is important to fill your diet with fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, protein and a variety of food to fulfill your nutritional requirements.
Creating a Healthy Pregnancy Diet Plan
During pregnancy, it can be extremely difficult to decide what to eat and what not to maintain a healthy weight and nutrients you need while you are pregnant. What you eat matters a lot for your baby’s health. Healthy meal planning is key to gaining a healthy amount of weight during your pregnancy.
Eating well and healthy during pregnancy will become easier if you have a pregnancy diet plan in place that helps you what to eat and how much. Here is a list of foods you should eat and avoid during pregnancy.
Foods to Eat during Pregnancy
- Dairy products
- Legumes
- Sweet potatoes
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Broccoli and Dark, Leafy Greens
- Lean Meat
- Fish Liver Oil
- Fish liver oil is made from the oily liver of fi
- Berries
- Avocados
- Whole Grains
- Dried Fruit
Foods You Should Avoid During Pregnancy
- Raw fish
- Raw eggs
- Pate
- Undercooked and processed meats
- Unpasteurised cheese
- Unpasteurised milk
- Alcohol
- Limit caffeine
First Trimester Meal Plan
In your first trimester, fill your diet with folate-rich that help in the brain development of your body and prevent brain and spinal cord defects. In addition, eating foods that are rich in vitamin B6 is a good idea to prevent morning sickness.
Monday
Breakfast Porridge and Apple Juice
Snack Yoghurt, Orange or Cheese scone
Lunch Smoked chicken and avocado salad, Banana
Dinner Chicken cacciatore with brown rice
Tuesday
Breakfast Fruit Smoothie, Fresh Fruits, Greek Yoghurt
Snack Handful of dried apricots, Slice of fruited malt loaf
Lunch Baked potato and cottage cheese, orange
Dinner Beef and black eye bean casserole
Wednesday
Breakfast Bran flakes, banana, tuna omelette
Snack Carrot sticks and hummus dip, pancakes
Lunch Broccoli and pea soup with a crusty roll, Apple
Dinner Healthier sausage and apple casserole
Thursday
Breakfast Porridge, Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Snack Low-fat yogurt, banana bread
Lunch Feta salad couscous, Papaya
Dinner Creamy haddock and salmon pie with asparagus
Friday
Breakfast Wholegrain toast spread with peanut butter, Yoghurt drink
Snack Breadsticks with low- fat cheese dip
Lunch Cranberry and soft cheese wrap with watercress, melon
Dinner Lamb chops with new potatoes, broccoli, and peas
Saturday
Breakfast Orange juice, scrambled egg with grilled tomatoes and wholemeal bagel
Snack Small roll with peanut butter
Lunch Salmon and watercress salad, Kiwi fruit
Dinner Pasta puttanesca with low-fat garlic bread
Sunday
Breakfast Scrambled eggs on a toasted bagel, Yoghurt drink
Snack Banana or Apple, Handful of dried fruits and nuts
Lunch Roast chicken with roast potatoes, broccoli, and carrots
Dinner Tofu and butternut squash flan
Second Trimester Meal Plan
In the second trimester, eat plenty of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin D. Omega 3 fatty acids help your baby’s brain development while vitamin D and calcium will help grow strong bones and teeth. Don’t forget to add foods that are packed with iron to your pregnancy diet plan, as iron is important to make red blood cells for your growing baby. Here is a pregnancy diet plan for your second trimester.
Monday
Breakfast Apple juice, porridge with flaked almonds and fresh fruits
Snack Orange, Yoghurt or Classic Egg Salad Sandwich with Cheese
Lunch Baked potato with cheesy baked beans, pear
Dinner Chicken and mushroom risotto, side salad
Tuesday
Breakfast Wholegrain toast with mashed banana, Papaya smoothie
Snack Breadsticks with soft cheese dip
Lunch Cheddar cheese and tomato in a wholegrain loaf, orange
Dinner Salmon with pine nuts or Rotini with Chicken and Garden Vegetables
Wednesday
Breakfast Wheat Bisk cereal with milk and mixed berry compote, orange juice
Snack Hummus with Pitta, oaty cranberry and orange cookie
Lunch Ciabatta with halloumi, basil, and sundried tomatoes
Dinner Sweet apple lamb with mashed potato and broccoli
Thursday
Breakfast Toasted crumpet with peanut butter
Snack Low-fat yogurt, banana bread
Lunch Smoked mackerel and mushroom fishcakes with spinach and cherry tomato salad
Dinner Steamed Sesame Vegetable Medley with Chicken Over Quinoa
Friday
Breakfast Yoghurt with dried fruits, flaked almond and orange juice
Snack Shepherd’s pie with carrots or fruit scone with banana bread
Lunch Ciabatta with halloumi, basil, and sundried tomatoes
Dinner Steamed Sesame Vegetable Medley with Chicken Over Quinoa
Saturday
Breakfast Scrambled eggs with toast and spread, Yogurt drink
Snack Handful of walnuts and dried fruit,
Lunch Mushroom and celery pasta bake
Dinner Homemade burgers with salad and fruity coleslaw
Sunday
Breakfast Scotch pancakes with blueberries
Snack Fruit Salad, a handful of walnuts and dried fruits
Lunch Roast beef with roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, and carrots
Dinner Watercress and celeriac soup with a wholegrain roll with spread
Third Trimester Pregnancy Diet Plan
Your body needs a lot of energy in the third trimester, as your body is growing very fast. So, fill your diet with foods that give you instant energy and nourish your growing baby.
Monday
Breakfast Apple Juice, Wholemeal toast with spread and yeast extract
Snack Melon with blueberries and yogurt
Lunch Couscous egg salad with pine nuts and currants
Dinner Chicken in a tomato sauce with pasta
Tuesday
Breakfast Wholemeal toast with mashed banana, Strawberry milkshake
Snack Hummus with pitta
Lunch Shrimp and Mango Salad With Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
Dinner Creamy haddock and salmon pie with peas and sweetcorn
Wednesday
Breakfast Orange juice, Wheat bisk cereal mashed with Greek yogurt and mixed berry compote
Snack Fruity flapjack or Oaty Cranberry and orange cookie
Lunch Tuna salad wrap
Dinner Spinach and ricotta pasta tubes with ragu sauce
Thursday
Breakfast Toasted teacake with spread
Snack Cheese on toast
Lunch Toasted Barley, Roasted Red Pepper, and Corn Salad with Feta Cheese
Dinner Spinach Fettuccine with Chicken and Sauteed Greens
Friday
Breakfast Scrambled eggs on a toasted bagel with spread, Yogurt drink
Snack Dried fruit snack
Lunch Pitta with lamb’s lettuce, Gruyere, and grapes
Dinner Beef lasagna made with ragu sauce with a mixed side salad
Saturday
Breakfast Banana-Berry Smoothie, Blueberry Waffles or Pancakes
Snack Sparkling Cranberry Breeze Mocktail
Lunch Roast beef with roast potatoes, carrots, and green beans
Dinner Chicken Burgers With Mango Relish
Sunday
Breakfast Savory Oatmeal with Bone Broth, Keto Tuna Omelette
Snack Strawberry milkshake
Lunch Chicken risotto
Dinner Spinach and cheese quiche
Whether you are experiencing morning sickness, fatigue, food cravings, or any other pregnancy symptoms, eating three healthy meals packed with nutrients, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, proteins, and minerals are important to fulfill your additional energy requirements. In addition, it will provide your developing baby with all the essential nutrients and help her grow.
Let’s check out some healthy pregnancy meal ideas.
Pregnancy Breakfast Ideas
- Chicken and Ginger Congee
- Savory Oatmeal with Bone Broth
- Chinese Steamed Egg Custard
- Overnight Oatmeal with Walnuts and Apple
- Egg, Bean and Cheese Burrito
- Whole Wheat Bagel, Cream Cheese, and Cooked Salmon
- High-fibre Cereal with Berries and Milk
- Whole grain Muffin with Almond Butter and Banana
- Whole Wheat Crackers with Cheddar Cheese and Cold Peppermint tea
- Sliced boiled egg, mashed avocado on a wholegrain toast
- Blackberry Ginger Mocktail
Pregnancy Snack Ideas
- Strawberry Slushie
- Banana-Berry Smoothie
- Caribbean Colada
- Mimosa
- Cosmo Mom
- Sparkling Cranberry Breeze Mocktail
- Garden Gazpacho
- Glorious Carrot Muffins
- Lemon-Ginger Muffins
- Classic Egg Salad
- Crunchy Kale Chips
- Roasted Edamame
- Tzatziki with Peppers and Carrots
- Peppers and Carrots with Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Apple slices and almond butter
- Toasted pumpkin seeds and sea salt
- Greek yogurt with Strawberry slices, vanilla, and cinnamon
- Whole wheat bagel, scooped out, with ricotta cheese and berries
Pregnancy Lunch Ideas
- Portobello And Black Bean Burritos
- Pear and Cheese Sandwich
- Fiesta Salad
- Mushroom Quinoa Risotto
- Chicken and Tomato Pasta with Snow Peas
- Broccoli and Pea Soup
- Beef and Black-Eyed Bean Casserole
- Spanish Omelette with Peppers
- Spinach and Feta Filo Pie
- Spaghetti with Butternut Squash and Pine Nuts
- Low Fat Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato
- Avocado and Chicken Salad
- Creamy Haddock and Salmon Pie
- Sautéed Halibut with Spring Vegetables
- Pan-Roasted Salmon with a Mild Mustard Crust
Pregnancy Dinner Ideas
- Roast Salmon with Tuscan White Beans
- Chicken with Pomegranate Glaze
- Sautéed Halibut with Spring Vegetables
- Oven-Fried Chicken Breasts
- Toasted Barley, Roasted Red Pepper, and Corn Salad with Feta Cheese
- Baby Spinach and Edamame Salad with Seared Scallops
- Turkey Burger
- Spaghetti and Spinach Meatballs
- Thai Meatballs, Broccoli and Noodles
- Roasted Shrimp and Veggies
- Cornmeal-Pecan Crusted Chicken with Mango-Black Bean Salsa
- Turkey Cutlets in Mushroom Sauce
The Post Pregnancy Diet
To regain a desirable figure, creating a post pregnancy diet plan is important to provide your body with essential nutrition and refill your nutrient stores. Eat protein-rich foods, lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nonfat dairy products to stay healthy and keep active.
A Word from Explore Diet
What you eat during pregnancy affects your energy and well-being. It also affects the health and development of your baby. Therefore, it is important to fill your diet with nutrient-rich and healthy foods to gain weight in a healthy way. Creating a healthy pregnancy diet plan and eating foods loaded with protein, fibre, and carbohydrates is important for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. Hopefully, incorporating these healthy food ideas into your pregnancy diet plan can prepare your body for growing a healthy baby.