If you love to pig out on junk food several times a day, now’s the time to break that habit! Now that you’re pregnant, your growing baby is also affected by your food choices. It won’t help your pregnancy to skip breakfast, have a vending machine lunch, and then fast food for dinner.
When you become aware of how your choices affect your baby, it’s obvious that what you eat is important. Good nutrition will take some pre-planning, but you can do it! If you work, make sure to pack healthy food for your snacks and lunches. Steer clear of fast food and junk food. Here are some healthy snack ideas:
- Bananas, raisins, dried fruit, or mangoes can satisfy your sweet tooth (and all are packed with iron, potassium, and magnesium)
- String cheese (it’s high in calcium and protein)
- Fruit shakes made with skim milk and yogurt for calcium, vitamins, and minerals
- High-fiber crackers…spread with a little peanut butter to add taste (and protein)
- Cottage cheese with fruit, flavored with cinnamon for a tasty milk serving
- Salt-free chips with salsa or bean dip for fiber
- Hummus and veggies
- Fresh tomatoes flavored with a little bit of olive oil and basil; eat with a few thin slices of cheese (for a dairy serving and a veggie serving)