Pregnancy is a beautiful journey that marks the beginning of motherhood. Every mother looks forward to delivering a healthy baby achievable through healthy eating during pregnancy.
Smoothies are an excellent way to incorporate the required nutrients in the pregnancy diet to enhance good health for the mother and the unborn child.
Wondering what to put in your pregnancy smoothie? Read through!
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Why You Should Consider Taking Pregnancy Smoothies
The best way to achieve maximum nutritional benefits from a smoothie is by using actual ingredients. Some of the most important nutrients during pregnancy are potassium, folic acids, Vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, healthy fats, and mineral fiber. In addition, use natural fruits, vegetables, and whole nuts to achieve the required nutritional benefits in your pregnancy smoothies.
Cut off the idea of ordering a smoothie from the shop to feed your pregnancy cravings; you may end up consuming manufactured products and sugars which are not suitable for you at this time.
For more information about pregnancy smoothies; Which is the best pregnancy smoothie? What ingredients do I add to my pregnancy smoothie? Read on!
Best Fruits For Pregnancy Smoothies
Pregnant women should consider using an assortment of fruits in their smoothies for a balance of nutrients.
Avoid fruits containing too much sugar; fructose from fruits increases blood sugar levels and lowers body metabolism, which increases the risk of heart diseases.
Examples of fresh fruits to consider for your pregnancy smoothie:
- Mangoes
- Avocadoes
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Bananas
Read More: Healthiest Berries: The 13 Best Berries To Eat
Best Nuts For A Pregnancy Smoothie
Whole nuts are essential ingredients to add to your smoothie. Whole nuts are a good source of Omega-3, a healthy fat that helps in the brain development of your unborn baby.
Whole nuts are also a good source of proteins that helps in the mother’s breast and uterine tissue development during pregnancy.
Examples include:
- Chia Seeds
- Peanuts
- Hemp Seeds
- Walnuts
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Flax seeds
Read More: Best Nuts For Smoothies: 5 Healthy Choices
Best Vegetables For A Pregnancy Smoothie
Vegetables are among the superfoods in a pregnancy diet. So why not try throwing in vegetables in your smoothie and enjoy wholesome nutrients in a single glass.
Vegetables are a source of folate, fiber, vitamins, and a whole range of nutrients for the healthy development of the mother and the unborn baby.
Try adding these vegetables to your smoothie:
- Kales
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Broccoli
Read More: Best Greens for Smoothies: 9 Delicious & Healthy Ingredients
Fruit Punch Pregnancy Smoothie
The first thing that comes to my mind whenever I think of smoothies is fruits. Luckily, whole fruits have well-rounded nutritional benefits hence highly recommended for pregnant women.
When making your fruit smoothie, combining fruits that offer multiple nutrients while offering a great taste is essential.
You do not want your smoothies too sweet because that triggers nausea. Instead, be sure to include ginger or any other natural ingredient that offers a tangy taste as a remedy for nausea.
Ingredients
- ½ glass of low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 fresh mango
- 1 ripe banana
- A handful of strawberries
- ½ glass of ice cubes
- ½ glass of water
- 3 small pieces of ginger (crushed)
Directions
Add all the ingredients to your blender and blitz for 1-2 minutes while checking the consistency.
Pour the ice-cold drink into a cup and enjoy your tangy-sweet and nutritious mango pregnancy smoothie.
Nutritional Benefits
Mangoes
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant increasing the body’s immunity
- Folic acid helps in the brain and spinal cord development of the unborn baby
- Vitamin B6 enhances the development of the brain and nervous system
Bananas & Strawberries
Contain high fiber, potassium, and folate content. Fiber lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Potassium helps in the bone development of the fetus while folate is good for brain development,
Ginger
Adds tanginess hence preventing nausea
Low Fat Greek Yoghurt
Packed with vitamins for general body health
Green-Hulk Vegetable Smoothie
Like the name, the green smoothie is mainly made of vegetables that are a good source of folate and a range of vitamins good for pregnant women.
This Green Smoothie is a source of the perfect fruits and vegetables that you and your unborn baby could probably need.
Ingredients
- 1 glass of Greek yogurt
- ½ glass unpeeled cucumber chunks
- 1 ripe banana, cut into chunks
- A handful of baby spinach or baby kale
- 2 small pieces of ginger (crushed)
- ½ glass of ice-cubes
- ½ glass of water
- Chia seeds
Directions
Pour the Greek yogurt into the blender, followed by the bananas, spinach, cucumber, ginger, and blend while adding water and ice cubes until the desired consistency. Enjoy when done!
Nutritional benefits
Avocados
They are rich in fiber and healthy fats, which help control blood sugar levels during pregnancy and reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Chia seeds
They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help boost fetal brain development, balance blood sugar, and prevent iron deficiency.
Cucumber
Contains a large amount of Vitamin B that elevate the mother’s mood and that of the unborn baby. They also regulate blood sugar and blood pressure levels during pregnancy.
Spinach
Spinach is an excellent source of folate, a Vitamin B that’s good for the fetus’s healthy spine and brain development.
Pineapple-Basil Pregnancy Smoothie
Inflammation is common during pregnancy, and you may want to fight it naturally with a smoothie. Try this delicious fruit-vegetable smoothie as a solution.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of fresh pineapple
- 1 banana
- 4 basil leaves
- 1 glass of plain yogurt
- 2 small pieces of ginger (crushed)
- ½ glass of ice cubes
- ½ glass of water
Blend and enjoy your piquant pineapple-basil pregnancy smoothie.
Nutritional Benefits
Pineapples
High in Vitamin C hence are a good antioxidant that prevents inflammations experienced during pregnancy.
Basil Leaves
Contain essential oils which help in fighting inflammation.
Pregnancy Smoothie – Final Thoughts
Different women have different cravings during pregnancy. What works for you may not work for another pregnant woman. Some may prefer lemons/lime to ginger; add what works for you.
Avoid adding artificial sugars to your pregnancy smoothies to avoid the buildup of cholesterol in your body which is a health risk, especially during pregnancy.
For pregnancy smoothies, know what works for you, gather the right whole/natural ingredients and prepare your nutrient-filled smoothie for a healthy self and a healthy fetus.