Paying attention to your diet during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for your and your future baby’s health. Whatever you eat during your pregnancy not only serves your body, it also provides nourishment for your child. Good nutrition will promote your baby’s proper growth and development!
List of Foods To Eat For Your Second Trimester:
Your daily diet should consist of the macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, as well as the micronutrients: vitamins and minerals. In addition, you should also focus on your fiber and water intake. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), pregnant women should consider choosing foods from the five essential food groups, namely:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Dairy
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
To help you out, the USDA has a MyPlate Plan for Moms that lets you calculate the amount of every food group you should be eating to meet your nutrient recommendations.
What Foods Should You Avoid on Your Second Trimester?
Certain foods can cause harm for your baby, so it’s best to limit or avoid them altogether. Omit the following food groups from your diet:
- Deep-sea foods like swordfish, shark, salmon, tuna, king mackerel as they can contain large amounts of mercury.
- Unpasteurized dairy products like Brie, feta, or blue cheese as they can contain bacteria causing infections.
- Caffeine is best limited to at least one to two cups per day.
- Alcohol should absolutely be avoided as they can cause birth defects and complications.
Organ development peaks around the second trimester, so becoming healthy should be your topmost priority. Lifestyle changes like eating nutritiously can be done easily with the right preparation. Consult with your doctor or nutritionist to help you develop an eating plan that will keep you energized and nourished as you continue on with your pregnancy.
