Healthiest Foods for Pregnancy: 1st Trimester: BANANA

00Angela00

Peel a banana and take a bite or slice or mash it into your diet. Why? Because there are so many fabulous nutrients in bananas, plus they're easy on your stomach. One large banana contains 4 g of fiber and about 20 percent of your daily vitamin C and vitamin B6 needs.

AT A GLANCE:
Serving size: 1 large banana
Calories: 121
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Protein: 1 g
Fiber: 4 g
Calcium: 1%
Vitamin A: 2 %
Vitamin C: 20%
Iron: 2%

* We've all heard that bananas are portassium-rich- a large banana contains about 480 mg of potassium, nearly one-fourth of your daily requirement.

* A large banana contains close to 40 mcg of folate which as we've seen is a very important nutrient for your baby's neural tube development.

* Vitamin B6 helps regulate your sodium/potassium levels, which can be imbalanced if you're vomiting. Your large banana includes 0.5 mg of vitamin B6.

* For addional help, bananas are also a good source of magnesium (37 mg) and potassium (480 mg), minerals needed for healthy fluid balance.

* Researchers have found that people who consume diets rich in potassium are 50% less likely to have a stroke compared to their non-potassium-consuming peers.

* Adding bananas to your diet during pregnancy can help you keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. High blood pressure in later pregnancy can lead to complications such as eclampsia.

* potassium may prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

* Getting plenty of calcium is vital if you're pregnant because your growing baby is pulling this mineral from your bones. If bananas can help postmenopausal women keep their bones healthy, they can help you, too.

* Banaas are also burting with phytochemicals such as myricetin (a potent antioxidant that is thought to help lower blood sugar) and beta-sitosterol (may help lower bad cholesterol levels.

TASTY TIPS
Banans and rice are a famous home remedy for an upset stomach, but if you're not feeling sck, try these instead: Slice a banana lengthwise and smear a litle peanut butter (and/or sprinkle peanut pieces) on each cut side; or slice a banana into plain or vanilla yogurt; or add strawberries to make your own vesion of strawberry-banana.

You can make a great smoothie by blending a cup of yougurt, a sliced banana, and a cup of crushed ice until thick and smooth. Tr it with plain yogurt and a handful of fresh or frozen strawberries, a banana, and a splash of orange juice for a luscious, refreshing treat!

Craving ice crea? make a healthy banana split with a banana cut lengthwise and topped with frozen yogurt, fresh berries (any combination of strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and/or raspberries), and sliced almonds. It is both decadent and delicious!

1st Trimester:
ALMONDS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510244-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy-1st-trimester-almonds
APPLESAUCE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510309-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy-1st-trimester-apple-sauce

2nd Trimester:
ANCHOVIES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510297-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy-2nd-trimester-anchovies
BASIL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510301-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy-2nd-trimester-basil
AVOCADO: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510312-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy-2nd-trimester-avocado

3rd Trimester:
BLACK BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510247-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy-3rd-trimester-black-beans
CELERY: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510306-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy-3rd-trimester-celery
COHO SALMON: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510319-healthiest-foods-for-pregnancy-3rd-trimester-coho-salmon