By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 3 Nutritious Foods To Eat During Your Second Trimester Of Pregnancy
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Home Health > 3 Nutritious Foods To Eat During Your Second Trimester Of Pregnancy
Home HealthParentingPregnancyWellness

3 Nutritious Foods To Eat During Your Second Trimester Of Pregnancy

Tara Desquitado
Tara Desquitado
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
  • Lean Meats and Beans
  • Eggs and Dairy
  • Dark-Green Leafy Vegetables

You are what you eat—this proverbial statement doesn’t ring more true than for a woman who is pregnant. Eating a nutritious diet is vital in keeping a mother and her baby healthy and safe throughout pregnancy. It not only helps deliver nutrients that are essential to the fetus’s growth and development; a healthy diet also prevents pregnancy complications that may endanger both the mother’s and child’s health.

It is very important to continue eating a well-balanced diet all throughout pregnancy. Thus, the second trimester may require expectant mothers to consume certain vitamins and minerals to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Lean Meats and Beans

Iron and protein are two of the most essential nutrients that pregnant women need, and these can be found in food sources like lean meats and beans.

More Read

Treatment of Golfer’s Elbow
Tips for How to Prevent and Treat Golfer’s Elbow
CVS Kicks the Habit: No More Tobacco Products. What’s Next?
Walking is Great!: Infographic
Put Your Phone Down and Reboot Your Life
Important Early Pregnancy Signs To Be Aware Of

Iron is responsible for delivering oxygen to different parts of the body and helps supply oxygen to the developing fetus. When the baby is not getting enough oxygen, which can be determined with the use of a toco transducer during a nonstress test, it could lead to serious neonatal complications and even unexpected early delivery. Consuming the recommended 2mg daily iron intake helps reduce the mother’s risk of anemia and other serious pregnancy complications.

Lean meats, beans, and lentils are also good sources of protein, which is required to help the baby’s brain and other tissues grow and develop. Protein also helps the pregnant mother’s breasts and uterus grow. Ideally, all pregnant women need to consume about 75 to 100 g of protein each day.

Eggs and Dairy

During the second trimester, your body needs all the calcium it can get. In fact, it even takes its dose of calcium from your own teeth and bones just to provide for the little one. This is the reason why pregnant women need to get extra calcium from the food they eat. It helps the baby grow healthy and also prevents the mother from getting brittle bones and losing her teeth!

Since the body isn’t equipped to make calcium for itself, you have to get this nutrient from food sources or supplements. Pregnant women need at least 1,000 mg of calcium each day. For soon-to-be moms who are eighteen or younger, they need to take at least 1,300mg of calcium per day. Some of the best sources of calcium include eggs, milk, cheese, and yogurt, but you can also eat calcium-fortified food such as cereal, bread, and soy drinks.

Dark-Green Leafy Vegetables

Dark-green leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, and collard greens, are the best sources of folate. Folic acid is a vital requirement during pregnancy. It helps prevent neural tube defects and keeps the risk of premature labor at bay. Studies also show that folic acid may significantly decrease the baby’s risk of congenital heart defects.

During the second trimester, pregnant women need about 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid daily. Aside from dark-green leafy veggies, it can also be found in black-eyed peas, oranges, and whole grains like rice. While it is advised to include these nutrient-packed foods in your diet, you may still be required to take a prenatal vitamin or a folic acid supplement to meet the daily requirements.

If you haven’t been conscious of your daily food intake, pregnancy is the best time to do so. Keeping yourself healthy during this crucial yet wonderful time not only benefits your body but also helps tons to your baby’s health.

TAGGED:foodhealthHealthcarehealthy foodmotherhoodnutritionparenthoodpregnancywellness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Tara Desquitado
Follow:
Tara is a health advocate that actively writes topics related to pregnancy, motherhood, parenting, and wellness. Her daily routine includes a daily dose of coffee and a good hike every morning.Cables and Sensors

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Home HealthWellness

How The Wrong Diet Can Affect Your Quality Of Life As A Model

January 28, 2020
Wellness

4 Helpful Tips For Packing For Your Meditation Retreat

April 1, 2019
concussions
SpecialtiesWellness

First-Ever Look Inside a Concussed Brain Reveals Porous Barriers

December 30, 2013
patient engagement
Home HealthNews

National Summit on Advanced Care: Thoughts and Takeaways

February 3, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?