5 Must Have Immunity Boosting Foods for Pregnancy
Pregnancy is that phase of a woman’s life where she transitions from the role of a wife to a mother. During this phase, it is essential for the expectant mother to ensure the right amount of nutrition is provided to the fetus growing within her as well as make sure she doesn’t compromise with her health. For this, it is essential for the expectant mother to keep her immunity levels high.
Below mentioned are 5 must-have immunity boosting foods as part of the expectant mother’s pregnancy care and diet.
Vitamin C rich foods
Vitamin C is a good immunity booster. It is essential for pregnant women to consume foods rich in Vitamin C to keep their immunity at an optimum level. Vegetables and Citrus Fruits such as like orange, lemon and others are rich in Vitamin C. The recommended intake of Vitamin C for expectant mothers (EM), on a daily basis is 5000 mg. In case the expectant mother experiences signs of diarrhoea, she should stop consuming Vitamin C or Vitamin C rich foods.
Eggs
Rich in nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, eggs is perfect to boost the immunity levels of EM. While the expectant mother adds eggs to her diet, it is important to ensure she doesn’t consume raw or partially cooked eggs as they could be poisonous. The expectant mother can consume eggs with juices to compensate for the lack of Vitamin C in eggs.
Curd/Yoghurt
Curd or yoghurt is a rich source of nutrients. Consuming yoghurt or curd during the period of pregnancy by the EM will boost to her immunity levels considerably. Since curd or yoghurt contains a lot of good bacteria, the consumption of yoghurt will result in better digestion as well. While curd or yoghurt can be added to a lot of food items, consuming it in its natural form is the healthiest for the expectant mother.
Almonds
Almonds provide a lot of nutrition for the EM while also aiding in the process of energy production due to the presence of elements such as manganese, riboflavin, and copper. Almonds also contain a good amount of folic acid, which is essential to the development of the baby’s brain as well as the nervous system.
Bright colored foods
Bright colored foods such as carrots, pumpkins, mangoes, and other such fruits and vegetables are packed with Vitamin A. This particular vitamin is a good source of antioxidants. Hence, pregnant women are advised to consume foods rich in Vitamin A.
Adding the above mentioned food items to the diet of a pregnant woman will definitely help in keeping her immunity levels in check. Also, it will ensure she can fight infections, if any, during this period. These foods, when incorporated into her pregnancy diet, will ensure a safer, stronger, and healthier pregnancy. It is also essential for mothers to incorporate exercise as part of their pregnancy care routine in addition to the food items mentioned above. Exercise will help a great deal in boosting immunity levels.
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