Food is everything a person need. The tenure of 9 months’ pregnancy is a very happy stage of a woman’s life. You may have to leave your long established eating habits and incorporate good diet routines for nutrition balance which makes you and your little one healthy and beautiful. It is also advised to consult a doctor about your healthy eating. As to present a diet plan, Dr. Neelima Mantri, Female Gynaecologist in Mumbai suggests a proper balanced diet for an expectant mother.

Foods to take:

Eggs: It is a healthy food for those who are not pregnant also. It is understandable that many pregnant women develop aversions towards meat. Whether it is fried, boiled, scrambled – they serve as a golden standard for the healthy pregnancy. The property called Choline develops fetal brain development and reduces neural tube defects.

Nuts: The crunchy little things are not only fun to eat but also contains healthy fats. Any nuts contain brain-boosting omega-3 and magnesium properties are helpful for the little honey’s brain development and nervous system. However, it is recommended to keep the serving of 5-6 nuts every day as they are rich in fat and calories. And it should be stopped immediately after allergic findings. This prenatal power snack on a go reduces premature labour issues and ranked as one of the best foods for pregnant ladies.

Yogurt: Plain and flavoured-less yoghurt got more calcium than milk. Yoghurt will be commonly mistaken with curd in some cultures, but they are two different types in every aspect. Due to its bone-building nutrients, it is one of the strongly recommended diet to be taken by pregnant ladies. It is essential to take at least 3 servings of yoghurt every day to make the baby’s bones stronger, otherwise, the calcium needs for the baby development will be taken from your bones leaving you weaker.

Foods not to take:

Brinjal: Majority of the people don’t like this vegetable, but one of the most common dish every Indian home has once in a week. However, according to Ayurvedic traditions, it is one of the foods which should be limited or avoided by pregnant women. Because of their enriched menstruation-inducing properties, it may lead to abortions.

Fish and sea food: It may be surprising to know that the sea food is harmful for the pregnancy, but it is medically proved. Sushi, shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish are considered dangerous because of high methylmercury. The mercury consumption by mother leads to developmental delays and brain damage of the foetus. Choose to eat salmon, tilapia, shrimp, tuna which have low mercury.

Raw dairy products: Although calcium intake is a must for the expecting, but not all dairy products are safe. A registered dietitian says to avoid raw milk and other raw dairy products, as the unpasteurized products contains Listeria, a germ that cause miscarriages. So, it is not safe to drink raw milk or any products made with raw milk during pregnancy.

Hope this information will give a better picture for all the expectant moms to what to eat and avoid. In the bottomline, too much of anything is harmful. So, keep the foods in limit which are allowed to eat and avoid which are not.