Healthy Pregnancy Recipes

Most people know the basics of a good diet to maintain during pregnancy: stay hydrated, consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid excess sugar and trans fats. However, there are certain simple recipes that can help boost your nutrition and energy during pregnancy. Incorporate a few of these into your diet to help your changing body feel its strongest.

Most people know the basics of a good diet to maintain during pregnancy: stay hydrated, consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid excess sugar and trans fats. However, there are certain simple recipes that can help boost your nutrition and energy during pregnancy. Incorporate a few of these into your diet to help your changing body feel its strongest.

Appetizers

Try a fresh mango salsa with black beans and corn as a healthy, fiber-packed pregnancy recipe. Dice two ripe mangoes. Drain a can of black beans and add the beans. Mix in 2 cups of corn, which you can grill for a roasted flavor. Add cilantro and, if it doesn’t give you indigestion, 2 tsp. blanched red onion. For other healthy pregnancy appetizer recipes, consult The BabyFit section of the popular Spark People nutrition website (see Resources below).

Entrees

This Florentine pasta recipe gives pregnant women the folates, calcium, fiber and iron they need. Boil a package of whole-wheat or spinach pasta. While it’s cooking, saute two or three cloves of garlic over medium heat. Chop some red pepper and a bag of fresh spinach and add it to the saute. Serve this mixture over the pasta, with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of asiago cheese. You can serve this with some grilled wild salmon, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. For other entrees that are nutritious for pregnant women, check the recipes at the EatingWell website (see Resources below).

Snacks

A protein-packed smoothie will give you the energy to start your day. Begin with a base of soft, ripe banana and frozen blueberries. Add some juice from a ripe orange. Supplement the smoothie with nonfat yogurt and a tablespoon of wheat germ. For more ideas of nutritious snacks and desserts, check the Today’s Parent website (see Resources below), which has a 7-day pregnancy meal plan to help women maximize nutrition during pregnancy.