The Paleo diet has been popularized by the Paleolithic nutrition experts Loren Cordain, professor and author of "The Paleo Diet," and Robb Wolf, biochemist and author of "The Paleo Solution." These proponents of the Paleo diet advocate the elimination of grains, legumes, sugar, processed foods and dairy products, while emphasizing a diet rich in seasonal vegetables, fruits, tubers, nuts, eggs, meat, poultry, fish and coconut oil. If you are pregnant, the foods you choose to eat or not eat can have a tremendous impact over the health of your future child. The Paleo diet could help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Omega-3 Fats
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA or docosahexaenoic acid, are critical for the healthy development of the brain of your baby. Today’s standard American diet contains a disproportionally high amount of omega-6 compared to omega-3, according to Wolf, which can interfere with the important role of omega-3 fatty acids. The Paleo diet has a more balanced omega-6to-omega-3 ratio and can provide your baby with the important DHA it needs to develop optimally. You can obtain high levels of DHA in the wild-caught fish, grass-fed and grass-finished meat, free-range eggs and wild game meat promoted by the Paleo diet.
Folate
Folate is an important B vitamin that is recommended to all women of childbearing age to prevent spina bifida and neural tube defects in your baby. Most Americans are deficient in folate, according to Cordain, because of an inadequate intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Paleo diet is richer in folate acid compared to the standard American diet, according to Cordain, and can help your baby develop normally. Choose organic and locally grown vegetables and fruits and include generous servings at each of your meals. The freshness of local produce ensures that you get the highest nutrient content possible, and choosing organic help you avoid pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals.
Minerals
Many minerals, especially iron, calcium and zinc, are important during your pregnancy for the normal development of your baby. Grains, which are abundant in the standard American diet, can interfere with the absorption of these minerals because of the phytic acid they contain. Eliminating grains from your diet by following the Paleo diet can help you better absorb the calcium found in dark leafy greens and almonds as well as the iron and zinc found in dark green vegetables and meat.
Paleo Meals
To ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy and that your future baby gets all the nutrients it needs to develop optimally. Include eggs, which are rich in choline, an important nutrient for fetal brain development. For example, you can snack on hard-boiled eggs or have scrambled eggs cooked in coconut oil with spinach for breakfast. Combine fats from avocado, olive oil, coconut oil and nuts with protein from poultry, fish and meat and plenty of nonstarchy vegetables to create healthy and nutritious Paleo meals. You can also add sweet potatoes, yams and fresh fruits as a source of carbohydrates. A weekly serving of liver and other organ meat can help you get enough of the essential fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K2.
