Nutritious Foods to Eat During the First Trimester of Pregnancy
The first trimester of pregnancy is usually among the most challenging for first time moms. You think about what foods to eat, the clothes to wear, the exercise routines to do, and other safety measures to take just to make sure you and your baby are always in good 
health. Cravings can be tricky, too, because there’d be times you’d want more sweets and other times salty. But you know that your diet is very important especially in the first three months of your pregnancy, and munching on bowl after bowl of McDonald’s fries isn’t a good idea to begin with. So, what should you eat then?
Foods with Folate
Folate, also known as folic acid, is a B vitamin that are essential for pregnant women, especially during early pregnancy, to prevent birth defects, such as cleft chin, cleft palate, defects of the spinal cord and the brain. They are found in vegetables like spinach, okra, collard or turnip greens, broccoli, and asparagus. Other sources include citrus fruit and juice.
Foods with Calcium
Calcium promotes strong bones and teeth in developing babies. It’s also necessary to grow a healthy heart, nerves, and muscles, as well as develop a normal heart rhythm. Sources of calcium skim milk yogurt, calcium-fortified cereals and orange juice, nonfat fruit yogurt, salmon, spinach, tofu made with calcium sulfate, and almonds.
Foods with Protein
It’s the amino acids that make up protein that are essential in pregnancy as they are the building blocks of your body’s cells, as well as your baby’s. About 70 grams of protein per day are required for pregnant women and you can get your protein dose from a variety of foods, including chicken breast, cottage and cheddar cheese, skim milk, egg, lentils, kidney beans, lean beef, salmon, fish, nuts, and peanut butter.
