Diet plays and important role in having a healthy pregnancy. A pregnant woman must be cautious while eating anything during pregnancy. Read on to know what foods are included in an Indian pregnancy diet.

The nine months of pregnancy can be challenging for most women. The physical body of a pregnant woman undergoes a number of changes during this period. Hence, it is important to take good care of your physical body and mental health. Diet plays a critical role in ensuring a healthy body during pregnancy.

Vegetables & Fruits

Eat a variety of vegetables in rotation. Do not eat the same vegetable day after day. Include vegetables like Turai (Ridge Gourd), Lauki (Bottle Gourd), spinach and cabbage, cauliflower in your diet. Vegetables and foods which can induce heat in the body like brinjal, yam, papaya, celery, mustard, bajara, jaggery must be consumed in moderation only. In case you have a previous history of abortion it is better to consult your doctor before deciding on your diet plan.

Food made of refined flour like bread, bun, Dhokla and pizza can cause acidity and increase water retention in the body. Hence, these foods should be consumed in moderation only.Fruits like banana, black grapes, dates, apricots and cashew nuts are very beneficial for pregnant women.

Vitamins & Minerals

A pregnant woman should include at least 3 servings of iron-rich food in her diet every day. The recommended minimum iron dosage for a pregnant woman is 25 mg daily. Pregnant women should consume at least 1000-1400 mg of calcium every day. This can be achieved by consuming dairy products high in calcium like milk, cheese and butter.

Vitamin A - Vitamin A is another nutrient which the body requires during pregnancy. Sources of vitamin A include pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots and turnips. However, a word of caution here - during pregnancy it is essential to control the intake of Vitamin A which is capable of causing harm or damage to the embryo. The recommended intake of Vitamin A during pregnancy is up to 10,000 IU per day.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C is essential for pregnant women. To ensure that a pregnant woman gets the recommended dosage of 70 mg of vitamin C every day she must choose at least one food item rich in Vitamin C like cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, green peppers, oranges, grapefruits, orange, strawberries and honeydew.