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Pregnancy

      Pregnancy diet: Fruit and vegetables

      Salad For Pregnancy Diet

      Pregnancy diet: Fruit and vegetables

      Eat the rainbow

      Unearthing facts about fruit and veg

      Packed with essential vitamins, minerals and fibre, fruit and vegetables are a vital part of a healthy pregnancy diet. Find out how eating your 5 to 7-a-day of fruit and vegetables can influence your baby’s future development and learn how to include more fruit and vegetables at mealtimes.

      Going green (red, orange and yellow)

      As well as adding variety and colour to your diet, fruit and vegetables are packed with powerful nutrients that support you and your baby during pregnancy.

      Fruit and vegetables are an excellent source of many well-known vitamins and minerals, in addition to fibre and antioxidants. They provide key nutrients, such as vitamin C, carotenoids, folate and magnesium, which all contribute to your baby’s growth and development.

      A role to play in your baby’s birth weight

      During pregnancy, your diet can have a direct impact on your baby’s birth weight. A well-balanced diet that meets the recommended calorie and nutrient intakes is more likely to result in a healthy birth weight, which can reduce your baby’s risk of disease and other health issues.

      A good way to achieve this is to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables throughout pregnancy. As the most nutrient-dense of all the food groups, fruit and veg provide a comparatively high level of nutrients per calorie. At a time when your recommended intakes of many nutrients is higher than usual, yet your recommended calorie intake doesn’t change much, if at all, it’s wise to make every mouthful count by choosing nutrient-dense foods. Fruit and vegetables are an excellent choice.

      Eat a rainbow of colours for a wide variety of nutrients.

      Green Apple

      Fruit and vegetables

      Packed with essential vitamins, minerals and fibre, fruit and vegetables are a vital part of a healthy pregnancy diet.

      Key nutrients provided by fruit and vegetables

      Vitamin C: supports the normal function of the immune system. Sources include:

      • Broccoli
      • Citrus fruits
      • Tomatoes
      • Red, green and yellow peppers
      • Blackcurrants

      Potassium: Helps to maintain blood pressure. Sources include:

      • Avocados
      • Bananas
      • Dried apricots
      • Dark leafy greens
      • Coconut water

      Folic Acid: Helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Sources include:

      • Broccoli
      • Brussels sprouts
      • Spinach
      • Asparagus

      Calcium: Contributes to your baby’s developing bones and teeth. Vegetable sources of calcium include:

      • Dark leafy veg, such as broccoli, kale, watercress
      • Green French beans
      • Brussels sprouts

      Fibre: Aids digestion and prevents constipation. All fruit and vegetables provide some fibre, with some being especially good sources, including:

      • Peas
      • Pears
      • Prunes
      • Legumes

      5 to 7-a-day (or more) for a range of nutrients

      You’re probably well aware of the 5 to 7-a-day guideline. This is based on the fact that fruit and vegetables help to lower the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity.

      Eating at least 5 to 7 portions of fruit and vegetables per day as part of a healthy pregnancy diet will provide many of the nutrients needed to support your own health and your baby’s development.

      With regards to which fruits to eat during pregnancy, fresh, frozen, dried and tinned varieties all count, and the skin is often a good source of fibre. A glass of fruit juice counts as 1 of your 5 to 7-a-day, but due to the nature and quantity of the sugar it contains, can only be counted once towards your 5 to 7 a-day.

      Folate: A first trimester essential

      Folate, the food source of folic acid, is a B vitamin that occurs naturally in certain vegetables and other foods.

      During the first trimester, you should take a folic acid supplement of 400 micrograms per day.

      Due to its role in protecting against neural tube defects, it’s recommended that all pregnant women get 400micrograms of folic acid per day 3 months before conception until the 12th week of pregnancy. It would be difficult to get this through food sources of folate, so a folic acid supplement is advised. Folate-rich foods help to increase your intake even further.

      Folate-rich vegetables to eat during pregnancy include:

      • Broccoli
      • Brussels sprouts
      • Spinach
      • Asparagus
      • Peas
      Bowl Of Leaves

      There is no limit on vegetable intake, the campaign was originally intended to help people meet a minimum of 5 to 7 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. In fact, eating more than seven portions each day could be even more beneficial for yours and your baby's health.

      One portion equates to:

      • 1 medium apple, orange or pear
      • Two plums or kiwis
      • 10 grapes or 6 strawberries
      • 1 bowl of homemade vegetable soup
      • ½ cup of peas, peppers or broccoli
      • 1 bowl of lettuce, tomato or cucumber

      NEXT STEPS

      Try these easy ways to increase your intake of fruit and vegetables:

      • Buy frozen fruit and veg – it’s often cheaper than fresh varieties, doesn’t go off, and the nutrient content is well preserve. The FSAI advises that imported frozen berries should be boiled for one minute before eating.. This advice is as a result of outbreaks of norovirus and hepatitis A virus in imported frozen berries across Europe in recent years.
      • Snack on vegetables, such as carrot or celery sticks with hummus
      • Add extra vegetables to home cooked soups and sauces
      • Try tinned fruit and vegetables – make sure they’re in natural juice or water with no added salt or sugar
      • Use fruit and vegetables to make nutritious smoothies
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      Your baby's future health begins here

      Your baby's future health begins here

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      each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your
      baby’s future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one
      round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.

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