The best way to stay within a healthy weight range during your pregnancy and to provide the optimal resting place for your little princess-to-be (or prince, of course), is to eat the right foods. Sure you can follow a list of „Do Not Eat” foods, but that’s just so…negative. It’s better to stay positive and to focus instead of foods that are good for you, powerfoods that will fill you up and provide you with the nutrients you need to keep you and your baby super healthy.

For a pregnancy that won’t have you craving diet pills or running to your online drugstore the very moment your little one pops out for other diet pills, eat these foods:

• Beans – Beans are a great source of non-animal protein and contain iron, folic acid, calcium, zinc. Good beans include chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and lentils, but if you’re eating canned, make sure you rinse off the beans, otherwise you’ll be loading up on too much sodium.
• Beef – When you consume protein you’re directly feeding your baby food for its brain development. Lean cuts of meat will provide prime B vitamins, as well as niacin and zinc.
• Berries – Some carbs are great for you and for the baby, especially when you’re talking about antioxidant-rich fruits which protect cells from free-radicals which can cause cellular damage.
• Milk – There’s a reason why this is baby’s first food—milk is packed with protein, calcium, and vitamins A, B, and D. Basically it’s a recipe for growth and development.
• Salmon – Another great protein, salmon also provides the brain- and vision-enhancing nutrients found in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Sweet potatoes – Vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, carotenoids, and fiber—six nutrients that you and your baby need for a healthy future.

This article was written by Dr. Karen Benton, an OBGYN and nutritionist who specializes in pregnancy and weight loss.