Latin food is delicious, and fortunately for those of us who like our comida latina on the daily, much of it is healthy. As a matter of fact there are some Latin foods that you should definitely eat while pregnant because they are packed with nutrients for you and your growing baby. The best part is that these are all foods that you are already familiar with and readily available, so it shouldn't be a problem … except …
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Most people think of pregnancy as a time when you get cravings, but that's not always the case. Some people get aversions instead of cravings. Even foods you've always loved can become difficult to stomach while you are pregnant. It's OK to let go of some of those foods while pregnant, but you want to make sure you hold on the the good stuff and find ways to incorporate it into your diet for the healthiest pregnancy possible. Here are just a few Latin foods you should be eating while pregnant.
Sweet potatoes are a great option during pregnancy.
Did you know that sweet potatoes originated in Central and Latin America? It's true. They're great for you when you're pregnant because they are high in beta carotene, which is important for healthy fetal development.
Recipe to try: Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Consider snacking on jicama instead of chips.
Swapping our jicama for chips not only gets rid of unnecessary calories and fats, it turns out that jicama has lots of nutrients that are beneficial during pregnancy. For starters, it has lots of water and water does a pregnant body good. It also has vitamin C, fiber, iron, calcium, and phosphate.
Recipe to try: Clementine Jicama Salad
Avocados have folic acid.
Now, we all know avocados are full of good for you fats, they are also loaded with folic acid, which is essential for your baby's healthy development. We're sure you are aware that guacamole is delicious, but while you are pregnant, you may want to try eating avocado without the chips in order to avoid the extra calories and added salt.
Recipe to try: Avocado & Cucumber Salad
Lentils provide all kinds of nutrients.
Lentils are a great source of fiber and protein, they are also full of nutrients like folate, calcium, zinc, and amino acids. All of this good stuff is in high demand when you are pregnant. So eat your lentejas!
Recipe to try: Abuela's Lentil Soup
Quinoa is a great replacement for white rice.
Quinoa is underappreciated. It's a seed that you can use to replace rice in just about any dish. It's a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins B and E, antioxidants, folic acid, and phytonutrients, which are plant compounds that help protect and build new cells.
Recipe to try: Easy & Fast Cranberry-Walnut Quinoa Salad
Citrus fruits help your body absorb iron.
All the vitamin C in citrus fruits help your body absorb iron, and you need iron when you are making another human being. Remember that there is a large variety of citrus fruits to choose from, including oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits.
Recipe to try: Ecuadorian Fruit Salad
Pinto beans are great for pregnant women.
Pinto beans are great for you while pregnant. They are packed with fiber and contain essential vitamins and minerals like copper, iron, and phosphorus. Stay away from the kind that are refried with lots of fat, though.
Recipe to try: Pinto Bean Stew with Jalapeño Corn Dumplings
Pepitas are a great snacking option.
Pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, are a good option while pregnant because they have 5 grams of protein per serving as well as being packed with fiber and containing essential vitamins and minerals like copper, iron, and phosphorus. You can also sprinkle these lovelies on soups or salads.
Recipe to try: Roasted pepitas
Popcorn can be a healthy pregnancy snack.
Popcorn is awesome during pregnancy because it is a whole grain that is full of fiber and nutrients, including vitamin E, selenium, and phytonutrients. Skip the high-calorie chips and opt for popcorn that you pop yourself on the stove top. I can't vouch for some of the microwave versions because who knows what's added to that stuff.
Recipe to try: Popcorn With Smoked Paprika
Mangos are a sweet treat.
During pregnancy, mangos are good for you because they are rich in vitamins A and C and they also have iron. Woot! If you are having issues with anemia during pregnancy, enjoy some delicious mango.
Recipe to try: Avocado & Mango Sandwich
Bananas can help with swelling.
Bananas are full of nutrients and during pregnancy they can even help reduce swelling in your extremities because of the potassium they pack. Swelling during pregnancy can be so uncomfortable.
Recipe to try: Bolivian Peppery Pork With Bananas
Red peppers are great cooked or raw.
Red peppers are a great way to get vitamins A, C, and B-6 in your diet. They're also versatile because you can cook with them or snack on them raw. You can also add roasted red bell peppers to a tomato sauce to give it a flavor boost.
Recipe to try: Spanish-Style Stuffed Peppers
*Descargo de responsabilidad: Los consejos sobre MamásLatinas.com no sustituyen la consulta con un profesional médico o el tratamiento para una condición específica. No debes usar esta información para diagnosticar o tratar un problema de salud sin consultar a un profesional calificado. Por favor contacta a tu médico si tienes preguntas o alguna preocupación.
