Pregnancy diets are crucial for the mom-to-be. She should have enough of these necessary chemical elements to have sufficient strength, vitality and stamina to make it through the pregnancy and even through childbirth as well. The mother should have good health. Pregnant women who have poor diets may experience less energy plus the unborn child’s physical and mental health may be affected.

Interestingly, women from “developed” Western countries may have the unlimited access to food but without the proper guidance, maintenance and support from a qualified mentor, these women may still be in danger of overeating, of eating what they should not eat in the first place and of not knowing what they should only eat at a time.

Pregnant women should try and eat a lot of high protein foods (lunch time, ideally since these foods can be processed more efficiently at night).

A whole foods balanced diet should be given to a pregnant woman.

A lot of energy is required especially in the first few months of pregnancy when cell division is still most intense. Hence, for vegetarians, they should source energy not only from legumes (e.g. peas, soy products, lentils and beans) but also from pulses, whole grains such as rice, barley, rye, corn, oats and buckwheat.

Since a lot of calcium is needed especially in the latter part of the pregnancy stage, pregnant mothers should load up on calcium. This can be achieved by increasing the dairy, soy, greens and seaweed intake. Another useful drink is raspberry leaf tea as this softens up the cervix (this, to prepare for childbirth).

IRON – iron supplements are not necessary, contrary to popular belief. Iron is a highly toxic material, truth be told, and you have to be wary of this because it may cause damage to the liver. Great sources of iron include seaweed, dried fruits, bran, yeast, leafy greens, parsley, nuts, seeds and molasses.

FOLIC ACID (FOLIATE) – the fetus may undergo damage if the mother is low on folic acid. Folic acid can greatly help in the cell division stage of pregnancy. Great sources of folic acid include dairy products, whole grains such as rice, yeast, nuts and pulses.

VITAMIN B – be careful with vitamin B supplements that can cause urine to dark yellow. T his would mean that your urine has a lot of protein and this may lead to pre-eclampsia. Read on this! Great sources of vitamin B include yeast, wheat germ, avocadoes, nuts, seeds, beans and dairy foods.

CALCIUM – include calcium especially during the last few months of pregnancy. Load up on lots of calcium since this can help in childbirth. A symptom when one does not have enough calcium is muscular cramping especially in the lower leg region. Great natural sources of calcium include soy products, kelp products, wheat bran, wheat germ, nuts, dairy products and seaweed.