What are some good things to eat during pregnancy?

Essential fatty acids are missing from the average American diet. They are part of every cell in our bodies, and are helpful for treating or preventing a myriad of ailments and deficiencies. They decrease the risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, arthritis, skin disorders, some cancers and other inflammatory processes. These oils also are utilized by the growing baby for brain development and have been shown to improve a child's IQ.

Essential fatty acids can be obtained from fish (no more than two servings per week) or from fish-oil supplements with DHA-EPA (two to four capsules per day). An alternative source is flaxseed oil (two teaspoons to one tablespoon per day).

Another dietary component that's very beneficial is Lactobacillus species bacteria. These beneficial gut flora have been shown to improve immunity significantly, and they are integral to healthy gut function, which is essential for achieving and maintaining optimal health. Most people have been exposed to antibiotics at some point, which can kill off the beneficial bacteria, so it's a good idea to add them to your diet. The simplest way is to eat yogurt that contains live Lactobacillus cultures.

Having a healthy crop of gut bacteria has also been shown to positively impact the bacteria in your vagina, which can significantly decrease the likelihood of developing a yeast infection in pregnancy. In addition, the good bacteria in your gut and vagina will get transferred to your baby at birth, thus giving him or her the best possible start.