Pregnancy Diet Plan for Second Trimester

February 8, 2013 dotcomwomen

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The most relaxed trimester of your pregnancy brings with it increased food cravings. Here are some nutritious and balanced meal plans for every month of the second trimester of pregnancy that keep your weight on track while providing the necessary nutrition to the baby growing inside you.

Along with several body changes, the craving for food also grow during this trimester. This is because the baby is growing inside you and needs nutrition. During this trimester you should normally gain 3 to 4 pounds every month. Gaining weight is sign of a normal pregnancy, so don’t be afraid of it.

What to Eat During the Second Trimester

Gaining weight is an important part of the second trimester.

During this trimester Calcium and Vitamin D are very important for the mother’s body. These will help your baby to grow strong bones. Examples of Calcium rich foods are milk, almonds, yogurt, rice and cheese. Examples of Vitamin D rich foods are fish, egg yolk, soy and orange juice.

Omega 3 fatty acids also need to be an important part of your diet. They help in the development of the baby’s brain. Fishes like salmon and mackerel are an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Iron-rich foods are important throughout the entire pregnancy. Iron will help your body produce red blood cells which are important for the growing baby. Dried fruits, porridge, chicken, lamb, spinach and green vegetables are a good source of iron.

Sample Meal Plans for Each Month of the Second Trimester

A meal plan is the best way to keep your pregnancy diet right on track and receive all the nutrition required for the baby in this trimester. Here are weekly meal plans, perfect for each month of the second trimester:

Fourth Month

Meals	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	1 glass of Apple juice. Porridge made in milk with 1 tbsp of sultanas and almonds.	1 Orange. Ciabatta bread with halloumi, sundried tomatoes and basil.	Chicken stir fry with noodles.
Tuesday	1 glass of Papaya smoothie. Wholegrain toast with sliced banana and peanut butter.	1 Pear. Broccoli and pea soup crusty wholegrain roll.	Creamy fish pie of haddock and salmon with Broccoli.
Wednesday	1 glass of Orange juice. Greek yoghurt with Wheat cereal and mixed berries.	A bowl of Chopped papaya. 1 Baked potato with coleslaw and tuna.	Mushroom and celery baked pasta.
Thursday	A cup of Herbal tea. Fromage frais (white cheese) mixed with 1 tbsp berry compote. Toasted bagel with peanut butter	1 Kiwi. Smoked chicken and avocado salad.	Pan-fried tuna steak.Sweet potato wedges and snap peas on the side.
Friday	1 glass of Yogurt drink.Porridge made in milk with sliced bananas.	1 Apple. Ham and cheese wholegrain sandwich.	Sweet apple lamb with couscous and spinach.
Saturday	Scrambled eggs with toast and spread Orange juice	Toasted bagel with smooth peanut butter and mashed banana	Vegetable curry with mushroom rice.
Sunday	1 glass of Yoghurt drink. Scotch pancakes with blueberries.	Roast pork with roast parsnips, spring greens and potatoes. Rhubarb crumble and custard.	Watercress and celery soup with 1 wholegrain roll.

Fifth Month

Meals	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	1 glass of Apple juice. Porridge made in milk with 1 tbsp of apple puree and a pinch of cinnamon.	1 Apple. Pizza muffins.	Chicken cassoulet with spinach.
Tuesday	1 Papaya smoothie A large bowl of fromage frais mixed with your choice of fresh fruits chopped and 1 tbsp of almonds. Served with scotch pancakes.	A few tinned peaches in juice. Baked potato with pineapple and cottage cheese.	Salmon with sweet potato wedges, sweetcorn and pine nuts.
Wednesday	1 glass of Apple juice. Wheat cereal with milk and sliced bananas.	1 Orange. Salad of grapefruit, avocado, pomegranate, salad leaves, walnuts and feta cheese.	Pork and apple meatballs served with mashed potatoes and mange touts.
Thursday	1 cup of Herbal tea. Porridge made in milk with 1 tbsp of berry compote	1 Kiwi. Baked potato and beans.	Grilled plaice fish with watercress and low-fat oven chips.
Friday	1 glass of Orange juice. Wholegrain toast with smooth peanut butter.	1 Pear. Smoked chicken and avocado salad.	Beef and black bean casserole.
Saturday	1 cup of Herbal tea. A large bowl of Greek yogurt with chopped dried fruits of your choice, almonds and 1 tbsp muesli.	Healthy BLT with grilled lean bacon, lettuce, thick slices of beef and tomato on granary bread.	Spaghetti with sardines, topped with oranges.
Sunday	1 Yoghurt drink. Scrambled eggs served on toasted bagel.	Roast chicken with Broccoli, potatoes and carrots. Baked apple with custard.	Tortilla with spicy tomato sauce, ham, spring onions and cheese.

Sixth Month

Meals	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	1 glass of Apple juice. Porridge made in milk with 1 tbsp of sultanas and almonds.	1 Pear. Baked potato with cheesy baked beans	Chicken korma (spicy Indian chicken curry) with steamed rice.
Tuesday	1 Papaya smoothie Wholegrain toast with sliced bananas.	1 Orange. Cheddar cheese and tomato in a wholegrain roll	Pan-Fried salmon with pine nuts, potatoes and watercress.
Wednesday	1 glass of Orange juice. Wheat cereal with mixed berry compote and Greek yoghurt.	A small bunch of grapes Ciabatta bread with halloumi cheese, basil and sundried tomatoes.	Sweet apple lamb with mashed potatoes and broccoli.
Thursday	1 cup of Herbal tea. Fromage frais with 1 tbsp of berry compote. Toasted bagel with peanut butter.	1 Apple. A bowl of chopped papaya. Salad of grapefruit, avocado, pomegranate, salad leaves, walnuts and feta cheese.	Smoked mackerel and mushroom fishcakes, served with spinach and cherry tomato salad.
Friday	1 Yogurt drink. Porridge made in milk with sliced banana.	1 Kiwi. Smoked salmon, soft cheese on bagel.	Chili con carne served with rice.
Saturday	1 glass of Orange juice. Scrambled eggs served ontoasted bagel	1 bowl of chopped papaya. Mushroom and celery baked pasta.	Homemade burgers with salad and fruity coleslaw.
Sunday	1 Yoghurt drink. Scotch pancakes with blueberries.	Fruit salad. Roast beef, potatoes, cauliflower and carrots with Cheese.	Watercress and celery soup with wholegrain roll.

To avoid gaining more weight than is required, you should follow a good diet plan. This will help you gain the right amount of weight required for the growth of the baby. Gaining too much weight is not a healthy sign either.