How to Eat Healthfully During Preconception
If a woman eats healthy before and during her pregnancy, chances are extremely high that she will have a healthy and smart baby, who will be able to cope efficiently with the challenges the world has to offer. Most women start to care about their diet and health once they become pregnant, failing to realise that they have to be equally careful about their health before conception. If you are hoping to become pregnant, you must start eating as healthy as you would if you were already expecting. By eating healthy during preconception, you will effectively prepare your body to create the healthiest baby it can.
Instructions
-
1
Have balanced meals
During preconception, you need to pay additional attention to all your meals. If you are on any sort of diet, you must abandon it immediately, and start eating healthy, making sure all your meals are balanced and contain all the required nutrients. Do not cut essential fats from your diet - nuts and avocado are great examples of foods that contain healthy fat.
If you do not want to gain weight, you should cut fast food from your diet and opt for lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Just keep in mind that eating less or skipping meals is definitely not the wise thing to do during preconception. -
2
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits like blueberries and raspberries, which contain lots of antioxidants, are extremely beneficial during preconception. Given the high amount of nutrients they contain, vegetables, preferably green and orange varieties, are also a must for your diet. Include spinach, kale and squash in your diet, because they are all packed with vitamins, and bound to give your body a great boost. -
3
Dairy products
As far as your dairy intake is concerned, it is recommended that you stick to low-fat products. If you love cheese, you do not need to completely cut it out of your diet, but you should limit your intake, and only have it occasionally. -
4
Only eat food which possesses nutritional value
Instead of filling your stomach with foods that possess little to no nutritional value, you should only eat those foods that are good for your health, and will provide you the essential intake of vitamins, calcium and protein that you need. Most people love sweets, but these barely contain any nutritional value at all; if anything, sweets are going to make you gain weight, and probably ruin your teeth in the process. During preconception, make sure you are careful about what you eat, and assess the nutritional value of everything before consuming it. -
5
Avoid fish & carbohydrates
Fish is a lean and nutritious meat, but it also contains a high amount of mercury, which is not good for you during preconception. You do not have to completely cut fish from your diet, but it is recommended that you do not have it regularly.
Similarly, you should avoid refined carbohydrates, like sweetened baked goods and white bread.
