Thanksgiving Meal Plan for Pregnancy
November 20, 2019
The holidays are right around the corner, which means that sticking to a healthy, well-balanced meal plan is about to get more difficult. Thanksgiving, a holiday that greatly revolves around food, can be especially tough. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious and nutritious food options available that are high in vitamins and essential nutrients but low in fats and sugars. For expecting mothers, sticking to a low-fat, low-sugar and nutrient-rich Thanksgiving meal plan can help keep blood sugar stable and reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes, which occurs when the body is unable to produce enough of the hormone insulin during pregnancy.1
Check out these healthy Thanksgiving recipes to include in your holiday meal planning.
Roasted Turkey Breast
Roasted turkey breast is a great alternative to cooking an entire turkey. It’s perfect for a smaller crowd. If you are feeding a large group, roasting several turkey breasts at once requires less time than cooking a whole turkey. Roasted turkey breast, when prepared properly and safely, can provide all the tender and juicy goodness of a whole turkey but with less fat, particularly if you like dark meat.2 Sticking to leaner white meat during the holidays can reduce the risk of unhealthy weight gain during pregnancy, as white meat typically has fewer calories than dark meat. However, it should be noted that the caloric difference between dark and white meat is fairly small.
Get the Recipe: https://healthyrecipesblogs.com/roasted-turkey-breast/.
Roasted Green Beans with Almonds
While the typical green bean casserole is a common staple on Thanksgiving dinner tables, it can be high in fat, calories and sodium. A great alternative would be pan-roasted green beans with toasted almonds; feel free to leave out the almonds if you’re not a fan. Pan roasting green beans makes them crisp and tender and very satisfying to eat.
Green beans are also packed with amazing nutrients such as vitamin C, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin K and vitamin A. They also contain iron, potassium and magnesium.3
Get the Recipe: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/green-beans-with-almonds/.
Roasted Potatoes and Spinach
Although potatoes may not be the most nutritious food on the menu, they are great for satisfying carb cravings. Fortunately, they can be prepared in a way that makes them more nutrition– friendly. Roasting potatoes helps seal in flavor without adding extra fat and sodium from frying. Add in some tasty herbs, a bit of garlic and some nutrient-rich spinach and you’ve got a great Thanksgiving side dish.
Get the Recipe: : https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/roasted-potatoes-and-spinach-3541681
Crustless Sweet Potato Pie with Pistachio Topping
What would a proper Thanksgiving meal be without a proper dessert? Instead of the traditional pumpkin pie, this crustless alternative is full of sweet and spice, plus it’s topped with a crunchy, satisfying mix of pistachios and toasted cereal. Sweetened with honey and brown sugar, this dessert is relatively low on sugar so it is diabetic-friendly, plus rich in fiber.4 Instructions for a brown sugar substitute is provided, too.
Get the Recipe: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/268887/crustless-pistachio-topped-sweet-potato-pie/
Why Nutrition Matters
For an expecting mother, establishing a beneficial nutrition plan is essential for the health and development of her baby, as well as her own well-being. With a health care professional’s guidance, expecting mothers should attempt to maintain a healthy, nutrient-rich diet and supplement it when necessary. The Prenate® Vitamin Family line of prenatal vitamins is ideally suited for expecting mothers and their changing nutritional needs. Talk to your doctor to learn about the benefits of adding a daily prenatal vitamin to your prenatal care plan today.
