Pregnancy Diet Plan

During pregnancy, the mom shall take foods from these five groups. The five food groups include:  

• 1.Grains 
• 2.Vegetables  
• 3.Fruits  
• 4.Milk products and  5.Proteins 
•                                                                                                                                 

 Grains:

Grains provide essential carbohydrates, your body's main source of energy. Many whole-grain and enriched products also contain fiber, iron, B vitamins, various minerals and protein. Fortified cereals can help you get enough folic acid.

How much: Choose 6 to 9 servings a day. If that sounds like a lot, don't worry. It may not be as much as you think.

One serving equals:

• 1/2 cup (about 120 grams) hot cereal or 1 cup (20 to 60 grams) cold cereal — different cereals vary in weight
• 1/2 cup (about 87 grams) cooked pasta or rice
• 1 slice whole-wheat bread

To optimize pregnancy nutrition, trade sugary cereals and white bread for whole-grain cereals, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta and whole-grain bread. Try wild rice or barley in soups, stews, casseroles and salads.

Fruits and vegetables:

Fruits and vegetables are critical components of pregnancy nutrition that provide various vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber to aid digestion. Vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables, helps you absorb iron and promotes healthy gums for both you and your baby. Dark green vegetables have vitamin A, iron and folate — other important nutrients during pregnancy.

How much: Choose 5 to 8 serving of fruit and vegetables combined every day. Top your cereal with slices of fresh fruit. Make a veggie pizza. Add extra vegetables to your casserole.

One serving equals:

• 1 medium-sized piece of fruit
• 1/2 cup (90 grams) fresh, frozen or canned fruit
• 2 cups (about 60 grams) raw, leafy vegetables
• 1/2 cup (about 60 grams) cooked or other raw vegetables
• 3/4 cup (about 186 grams)100 percent fruit juice or vegetable juice

If you're tired of apples, oranges and green beans, branch out. Try apricots, mango, pineapple, sweet potatoes, winter squash or spinach. Make trail mix with a variety of dried fruit. Fruit juice counts, too, but remember that too much juice can lead to undesired weight gain.

Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and beans:

Foods in this group have plenty of protein, as well as B vitamins and iron. Protein is crucial for your baby's growth, especially during the second and third trimesters.
How much: Choose 3 to 5 serving of protein-rich foods a day. Eat whole-wheat toast with peanut butter for breakfast. Try scrambled eggs or an omelet for lunch. Serve a salmon fillet for dinner. Add chickpeas or black beans to your salad. Snack on a handful of soy nuts.

One serving equals:

• 2 to 3 ounces (55 to 85 grams) of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish (about the size of a deck of cards)
• 1/2 cup (about 100 grams) cooked dried beans
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup (124 grams) tofu
• 1/3 cup (about 45 grams) nuts
• 2 tablespoons (32 grams) peanut butter

If your traditional sources of protein no longer appeal to you — likely during the first trimester — experiment with other options. Fish is an excellent source of protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which can promote your baby's brain development. Avoid fish that's potentially high in mercury, however, including swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish and shark.

Dairy products

The calcium in dairy products and calcium-fortified soy milk helps build your baby's bones and teeth. Dairy products also have vitamin A, vitamin D and protein.
How much: Choose 4 to 5 servings a day. Drink the milk in your cereal bowl. Eat yogurt for your afternoon snack. Have a glass of milk with dinner. Add cheese to a salad.

One serving equals:

• 1 cup (245 grams) skim or low-fat milk
• 1 cup (227 grams) fat-free or low-fat yogurt
• 1 1/2 ounces (43 grams) natural cheese
• 2 ounces (about 56 grams) processed cheese

If you have trouble digesting dairy products, get creative. Try calcium-fortified orange juice. Experiment with lactose-reduced or lactose-free products.

Water:

Water carries nutrients from the food you eat to your baby. It can also help prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, excessive swelling, and urinary tract or bladder infections. As your pregnancy progresses, drinking too little water can contribute to premature or early labor.
How much:  

Drink at least six 8-ounce (237 milliliters) glasses of water a day. Drink another glass of water for each hour of physical activity.

Thanks to myoclinic.com from where I got this article.