You’re pregnant…and you know you should be eating your fruits and veggies….
But…did you Know WHY strawberries are perfect when you’re pregnant?
- Filled with Vitamin C that boosts your immune system. Each 1 cup serving provides 84 mg, which is more than 100% of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for pregnancy. Vitamin C is essential for collagen building. Collagen is a structural protein that helps build your babies bones, cartilage and skin. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that protects the body from inflammation.
- Rich in Ellagic Acid…say what? That’s a potent antioxidant found in strawberries, other berries, walnuts and almonds. Some research shows that ellagic acid could act as a prebiotic in the gut.
- Contains Folic Acid (about 7% of the DRI for pregnancy) which helps prevent birth defects. 1 cup contains 35 micrograms of Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE).
- Low in calories. 1 cup only costs you 50 calories–quite a big bang for the calorie buck if you’re watching…
- Good source of fiber. A cup contains 3 grams, which when you’re pregnant, can really help you keep things moving…
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Strawberries are yummy on their own, tossed in a smoothie or dipped in vanilla Greek yogurt. But if you’re feeling more energetic, try these recipes from California Strawberries!
Who doesn’t love salsa! It’s a fun topping for tostadas, but also goes great on chicken, fish or even steak! It makes food more colorful, nutritous and of course tasty! Putting strawberries in salsa is pretty original but the texture goes great with onions, chile and cilantro. Whip this up for your date night in! This recipe was developed by Sylvia Klinger RD. Check out her blog here.
Confession: I’m a sucker for kale salad. Why? Ok I’m a dietitian, so part of the reason is that I know kale is the best source of lutein, a key nutrient important for fetal eye development and for all of us as we age! But there are plenty of healthy foods that I don’t eat just because they’re healthy and everyone else loves them (hello Brussels sprouts!). But Kale is something that is such a divine green, that when mixed with just the right ingredients, are a serious treat for the tastebuds! This recipe with a mix of strong cheese like Gorgonzola, along with berries, and a slightly sweet dressing provides just the right balance of sweet and tart. (Gorgonzola and other soft cheeses are OK to eat during pregnancy as long as they are made from pasteurized milk. More info here. This recipe was developed by Mitzi Dulan RD.
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