Foods to Keep Your Energy Up During Pregnancy

Your feet are swollen, your joints ache and your baby bump feels more like a baby watermelon. However, your energy level is so low you don’t even have enough stamina to hiccup, let alone stretch. Your baby is putting more and more demand on your body, which means you need to replenish your energy levels more frequently.

During your pregnancy, you’re carrying an extra 20-30 pounds, which means you’ll need to be consuming an additional 300 calories per day. But no, this doesn’t mean you get to eat an extra cheeseburger or a large pizza every day. What you eat makes a big impact on your energy levels, either positive or negative.

Here are some ways to make sure that that the foods you eat impact your energy in a positive way:

• Increase water consumption: Dehydration can lead to even more fatigue than you’re already feeling. It’s best to aim for 64 ounces of water daily.
• Pack in the protein: Foods like cheese, peanut butter and trail mix all contain enough protein to keep your energy level up, plus complex carbs to help keep you feeling full longer.
• Make friends with fruits: They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it’ll also help keep your energy level up. Fruit is rich in carbs, which your body burns to produce energy. Fruit also carries a lot of vitamin C, which is good for overall health.

Remember, while you’re feeling sluggish and ready for a nap, your baby is only getting bigger and taking up more space. Eating a large meal can really fill you up and cause your energy levels to fluctuate while it digests. Try to eat small, frequent meals with a good balance of protein and carbs, which will keep you more comfortable and ready to tackle your everyday life.

You deserve to experience your pregnancy, not sleep through it. For more recipe ideas from BayCare, visit our Nutrition Kitchen.