Being pregnant doesn’t mean that a woman has to restrict herself when it comes to her daily meals. On the contrary; pregnant women should add a lot of variety to their meals to ensure that they are getting all of the vital nutrients they need for a healthy pregnancy and, ultimately, a healthy baby girl or boy.

Pregnant women actually need more calories daily than a non-pregnant woman because the body requires more energy to perform the various physiological functions needed for growth, repair, and survival.

So don’t be mistaken – being on a pregnancy diet doesn’t mean you are going to starve yourself. Being on a pregnancy diet is actually the start of eating better and more interesting meals every day.

Tips for healthy and happy eating

1. Given a choice between ordering out take-out and cooking your own food, we highly recommend that you cook. Cooking food at home gives you the opportunity to control the amount of fat and salt that goes into your meals.

When you order fast food or pizza nightly, you are causing your body extra strain because of all the salt, fat, and preservatives that come with these convenience-centered food items.

So the next time you have a craving for another unhealthy dinner or snack, think about this: what you eat is absorbed by the placenta and is given to your baby as well. Do you want your baby to absorb excess salt and fat?

2. Whole foods are the only types of food that pregnant women need to stay healthy. Forget about specialty diets being sold on the Internet. Lean meats, grains, dairy, fruits, and vegetables are all you need to stay strong and healthy.

3. Pregnant women need increased protein intake every day. That means you need to get 75 grams of protein throughout the day so your body has enough energy to perform vital functions. Getting enough protein every single day can actually have a protective effect on your body, too. Studies indicate that protein can prevent the onset of pregnancy-related hypertension.

4. Irregular vomiting is a common problem during pregnancy, especially during the first few months. If you are having trouble keeping your food down, don’t fret. Instead of giving yourself three big meals a day, divide your food into six smaller meals. That way your tummy won’t react so much to the influx of complex proteins, carbohydrates, and fat.

5. Some food items can cause discomfort during pregnancy. This is why you should start keeping a food journal. A food journal is nothing more than a daily tracking sheet of the foods that you eat. If something goes wrong, you can then trace the source of the food-related problem by perusing your entries on your food journal.

6. Weight gain is natural and is actually a necessity during pregnancy. Don’t starve yourself or get upset if you start gaining weight!

7. Supplements of any sort are just that – supplements. You still need to eat fruits, vegetables, and lean meats on a daily basis to get all of the nutrients you need for the normal development of your baby.