Eliza Frank drinks a smoothie filled with essential nutrients.
Pregnant women do not need to "eat for two". Moms-to-be only need an additional 300 calories a day, and those calories should be meaningful, not empty.
Folic acid can help prevent birth defects, so take 400 micrograms each day. Experts say if you know you're going to get pregnant, start dosing up on folic acid up to a year before. It's that helpful.
Another essential vitamin for moms-to-be is iron. You need about 30 milligrams every day to prevent anemia during pregnancy.
Don't disregard those cravings! They're the body's way of signaling what it needs. A craving for fruit could mean a deficiency in carbohydrates. Dying for an ice cream sundae? It could signal a need for calcium.
A sign of a healthy pregnancy is gaining an appropriate amount of weight. The normal average-weight mother will gain about 30 pounds. But women on the lighter side should aim for between 28 to 40 pounds, and those who are overweight 15 to 25 pounds. Consult your doctor for your specific target gain.
For a delicious way to fulfill your fruit requirements, make a smoothie. Put fresh fruit, milk or yogurt in a blender and whip it up.
For a healthy snack, find a celery stick and scoop in some peanut butter. Or eat pre-sliced fruit, whole wheat crackers with cheese, or a bagel with peanut butter or cream cheese.
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