12 Foods every Latina should eat for a healthy 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

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

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 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 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

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 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, 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 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

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 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 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