When it comes to pregnancy foods, some are definitely superior when it comes to nutritional benefits than others. Yet there are some foods that are still considered innocuous enough that many expectant mothers consume them anyway. While we all know that cutting back on caffeine is wise, and that alcohol should be forbidden during pregnancy, do we also cut back on sugar, or eliminate artificial sweeteners from our pregnancy eating plans? Most of us probably don't. That's why, in this article, we discuss the best and worst of pregnancy foods, as recommended by a pregnancy nutritionist.

Best Pregnancy Food: Whole Organic Foods

Worst Pregnancy Food: Processed Anything

We all know that when it comes to eating well, organic foods are generally best. And yet, how many of us still hit the fast food drive through on the way home? While processed foods contain one advantageconveniencethey also come with a host of disadvantages. Processed foods are high in sodium, fillers, preservatives, and other additives that can cause weight gain, water retention, and a host of other pregnancy complaints. That's why making the switch to whole, organic foods can have such a profoundly positive effect on your pregnancy. These whole foods contain none of the additives of processed foods, and help you feel fuller and more satiated for longer. In addition, these foods give you a range of nutrients your body needs for a healthy pregnancy.

Best Pregnancy Food: Healthy Fats

Worst Pregnancy Food: Hydrogenated and Trans Fats

If you are trying to control your weight gain during pregnancy, you may feel that eliminating fats from your diet is the way to go. But your body actually needs the proper kind and amount of fats to function. Your baby also needs fats for neural and cognitive development. So it's crucial not to eliminate fats altogether, but to eliminate unhealthy sources of fat from your diet. Steer clear of hydrogenated oils and trans fats and instead focus on healthy sources of fat. Organic butter and olive oil is recommended for consumption at room temperature (or, in the case of butter, chilled) while coconut oil is recommended for frying at high temperatures. You can also eat raw organic nuts, raw organic nut butters, and avocadoes as more healthy sources of the fats you and your baby need.

Best Pregnancy Food: Filtered Water

Worst Pregnancy Food: Sodas

Sodas are so ever-present in our society that we find it difficult to even imagine life without them. In fact, many pregnant women are encouraged to drink ginger ale, a form of soda, to help combat the nausea associated with morning sickness. But sodas contain a troubling mix of sugars, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine that can cause a great deal of trouble for the expectant mom. If you are trying to control your weight gain, eliminating sodas can help you curb your consumption of sugar (or high fructose corn syrup). If you opt for diet sodas as an alternative, you should know that most contain a chemical cocktail of artificial sweeteners that can pose serious and lasting health problems for both you and your baby. And since we all know you should eliminate or cut back on caffeine during pregnancy, why drink a soda that is chock full of that chemical substance?

Filtered water should be your go-to beverage, during pregnancy and beyond. You should drink half your weight in water every day. Add another glass if you work out, and another if you drink any caffeinated beverage, including tea or coffee. Water will help flush out toxins, combat water retention, and keep you from becoming too constipated. Water has also been shown to lessen the common aches and pains of pregnancy, such as headaches or backaches.