The importance of vegetables and proper grain choices as part of the best diet in pregnancy is easily understood.
But what about the other food groups? For example, protein is essential for a balanced diet during pregnancy.
At the Butcher Block Meat is the most commonly known source of protein, although it is not the only way to ingest protein.
Pregnant women need to be eating protein in higher quantities than prior to pregnancy.
This should not be confused for recommending a high protein diet pregnancy plan.
High protein diet pregnancy can be dangerous as the fad protein diets can be restrictive by effectively eliminating entire food groups.
A balanced diet during pregnancy is important; this means protein will need to take the place of other less healthful snacks.
Substituting protein snacks for more sugary, starchy or fast snacks will also help maintain blood sugar levels.
The queasiness experienced by many women can be counteracted by a daily diet for a pregnant woman high in proteins.
Know your Food Low quality fatty meats are laden with nitrates, hormones, antibiotics and other undesirable substances.
Eaten in larger amounts, they will accumulate these harmful chemicals through the bodies of both mother and baby.
This makes the need to be choosy about your protein sources even more paramount.
When choosing a protein source, remember the source counts.
Lean, grass fed beef should be high on the list.
Knowing where your meats come from is important.
Chicken from parts unknown in terms of farm location as well as location on the animal does not add up to a quality food choice.
Pick all-natural free roaming chickens and eggs.
Meats from local, organic or all-natural farms are more healthful as a general rule.
Likewise if your grandmother would look at a meat and not recognize it as such, it should send up red flags.
Quality meats may cost a little more, but knowing you and your baby are eating only the purest foods is worth a few extra dollars.
Protein for the Vegetarian What about women who choose to maintain a vegetarian diet in pregnancy? Vegetarians still need protein and many talented vegetarian cooks know how to utilize protein sources outside the Animal Kingdom.
A couple things to remember, however, are the need for complete proteins.
Vegetable and legume or grain protein sources combine to create whole proteins containing the entire spectrum of essential amino acids.
If your vegetarian diet in pregnancy is insufficient in protein, try using protein powders.
Research and purchase only the purest, high quality protein powders that contain the whole spectrum of amino acids.
Try to avoid any soy-based products because they increase the amount of estrogen that you produce, making it easier to pack on the pounds.
Protein Sources All grass fed beef and free roaming fowl are complete proteins.
Nuts are also high in protein.
Combine raw nuts, like a nut butter on sprouted wheat bread for a complete protein.
Rice combined with beans also provides the entire collection of amino acids.