Most commonly forgotten pregnancy foods

9/16/2020

Pregnancy is a very confusing time in terms of what is good and healthy for you to consume, and what is not! Here is a list of the most commonly forgotten pregnancy superfoods that are really beneficial — but are often overlooked.

1. Asafoetida/Hing - is a medicinal herb in India. During the first trimester of pregnancy, many women experience bloating, nausea, constipation, indigestion, and an altered appetite due to various hormonal changes. A pinch of asafoetida during meal preparation like curries and dals can be useful to relieve all these symptoms. It can also be added to buttermilk and consumed during the day.

2. Nutmeg/Jaifal - is a medicinal spice that helps to relieve anxiety and a constant feeling of sleepiness during pregnancy. Due to a high amount of progesterone, also known as the pregnancy hormone, the quality of sleep decreases. Nutmeg improves your quality of sleep and keeps you relaxed. It can be added to milk during bedtime as it calms your nerves to aid your sleep.

3. Drumsticks/Moringa - are a great source of protein. They also contain vitamins & minerals like zinc, vitamin A, calcium, potassium & iron. For vegetarians, it is a very rich source of nutrition!

4. Tubers like sweet potato - As we've mentioned before, folic acid is very important during pregnancy. Sweet potatoes are an incredible source of beta-carotene & folic acid. Beta carotene provides vitamin A which helps in the growth of eyes, skin, & bones for their babies. This can be consumed as a snack and or can also be included in meals.

5. Amaranth leaves & seeds - Available in all seasons, amaranth is a folate & iron-rich green vegetable and is very important for fetal growth, especially for the brain & placental development. They can be consumed in the form of green curries or the leaves can be kneaded in the dough to make healthy chapatis. The amaranth seeds can be consumed in the boiled form in upma, salads, or cooked in meals like khichdi.

There are many foods that are forgotten while we focus on the more popular ones and miss on some very vital nutrients in that process. We are what we eat. Hence, smart and healthy eating -- especially during pregnancy -- is of utmost importance!