We all love to celebrate during the festive season, mainly because it is the period we unlock the walls of our stomachs and eat as much as we want to with loved ones.

However, amidst sniffing the air of excitement, you should endeavor to stay healthy regardless, and one of the means of doing this is by eating healthy.

As a pregnant mom, you’re loaded with a lot of anxiety, and as such, you may consume things you never thought of eating. This is the reason we have curated healthy meal options you can eat without fear for you and your baby. 

Below are 5 healthy and pregnancy-safe meal options for you this festive season:

1. Rice and Chicken Vegetable sauce: Rice, an edible starchy cereal grain, is always an ideal family meal, most common in every Nigerian home. Of course, it is almost like a “must-have” for every festive season. 

What’s a celebration without rice? Definitely, not a party. Rice provides sufficient carbohydrates to increase energy in pregnant women. 

However, as much as we are not skipping it off your food plan, you will have to take it in small portions. This is because excess consumption of rice can lead to an unhealthy increase in weight. 

Also, due to its high glucose content, its excessive intake can create chances of gestational diabetes. Brown rice should be of significant preference.

2. Garden Egg stew: If you want to change from the norm while maintaining a healthy meal, then garden egg stew is just suitable. Garden eggs incorporate both minerals and vitamins alongside other nutrients, which are highly essential for good health. 

It helps maintain a healthy heart as well as strengthen the bones. Garden egg is rich in folic acid which makes it a perfect meal for you. What makes it more interesting is that it can be eaten with so many side dishes like plantain, sweet potatoes, bread, yam, and rice.

3. Okra Vegetable Soup and Pounded Yam: This is another essential complementary art dish. Vegetables contain the proper nutrients you and your baby need to stay healthy. Okra has an adequate calcium content which is necessary for the formation of the baby and strengthening of your bones. 

Eating pounded yam during pregnancy aids in the prevention of congenital disabilities and also helps in managing morning sickness. This delicacy will help boost your blood level, thereby preventing anemia.

4. Unripe Plantain Porridge: Consumption of unripe plantain helps for stronger bones and prevention of anemia. When prepared with essential ingredients like scent leaf, dry fish, periwinkles, and snails, the nutritional value becomes a “kill for”. 

Because folates are suitable for pregnancy, plantain is that staple food loaded with folates, minerals, and other essential nutrients, which are of immense benefits for every stage of your pregnancy.

5. Porridge Breadfruit: You’re pregnant, and you have not had a taste of this sweet delight? You are missing out! 

African Breadfruit, otherwise known as Ukwa, is a popular Nigerian dish from the eastern part of Nigeria. 

Ukwa has a lot of health benefits. It's high in Omega 3 and fatty acids that benefit you and your baby. Amongst other outstanding benefits, It helps prevent brain malformation in babies

Making the best choices for you and your baby can sometimes be overwhelming. While everyone else exhibits carefreeness, you may be tempted. 

Ensure that the food is well cooked, as raw or undercooked meats, especially meat, fish, and eggs, are unsafe for your consumption. It is highly advised to avoid excessive intake of drinks too, especially alcoholic ones. 

Don’t feel left out, mama! You can enjoy several dishes while staying healthy. If you have any suggestions on other fantastic meals, leave your comments! 

Remember to stay PreggySafe!