Knowing what to eat during pregnancy can be hard! Toward the end of pregnancy, baby leaves little room for full meals so it is important to make sure that the foods you eat are nutritious and help prepare you for labor! During labor, you continue to need a steady source of energy, but dense foods just won’t do. Postpartum, your body is using resources like crazy to help you heal and, if you choose to chestfeed, help you produce enough nutrient-rich milk for your new addition. Confused yet? Don’t worry! Our free printable will give you an overview of some great foods and beverages for your last month of pregnancy, labor and postpartum!
Foods For The Last Month of Pregnancy:
Emphasis: Iron, Protein, Healthy Fats
- Meats
- Avocados
- Beets
- Seeds/Nuts
- Nettle and Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
- Dried Apricots
- Beans
- Oats
Foods For Labor and Delivery:
Emphasis: Quick, Easy Energy
- Honey
- Oatmeal
- Chia Pouches
- Granola Bars
- Electrolyte Beverages (Gatorade, Coconut Water, Etc.)
- Ginger Tea
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Jello
Foods For Postpartum:
Emphasis: Nutrient Dense, Calorie Dense, Iron Rich (Remember you burn approx. 500 extra calories per day if you are nursing and your body has undergone incredible exertion and blood loss).
- Fresh Fruit
- Vegetable heavy soups in bone broth and/or containing meat and/or legumes.
- Beets
- Spinach
- Nettle and Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
- Multigrain baked goods (especially those containing seeds, oats, pumpkin, molasses)
- Dried Apricots
- Seeds/Nuts
- Sweet Potatoes
Note! Your body has just undergone a major feat…growing life and birthing it! Be kind to yourself and let yourself indulge! Cinnamon rolls, Taco Bell, pizza, soda…Don’t forget to mix rewards in with your healthy foods!