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Ever wanted to give birth to a genius? No, we aren’t kidding.
A brainy baby will not only be ensured of success early on in life, but one day, your little one will thank you for enabling him with the resources to achieve that success! Since he’ll have comparatively lesser difficulty keeping up with schoolwork, and not face learning disorders like ADHD, it will help in accelerating his retention and absorption skills, both within and outside the classroom.
Your baby’s cognitive development begins from inside your womb and if you want to raise a naturally intelligent kid with a high IQ right from birth, keep reading.
10 Best Foods to Eat During Pregnancy to Make Baby Smart & Intelligent
It’s no wonder doctors recommend that you take your Vitamin D, folic acid, and iron supplements during your pregnancy. The foods you eat are likely to affect how your baby’s cognitive development takes place.
Are you wondering what to eat during pregnancy to make your baby intelligent? Then here are the top 10 foods that are highly recommended for pregnant women.
1. Fatty Fish
Omega-3 fatty acids are integral to your baby’s brain development. Pregnant women must eat salmon for giving birth to intelligent children. Aim to eat at least two or more servings of fish per week. Another option in seafood includes oysters which are rich in iodine. Pregnant women with low iodine levels should note that their baby’s intelligence can be affected negatively if healthy levels of the same aren’t maintained.
2. Green Leafy Vegetables
From spinach and lentils to leafy greens which are rich in folic acid, eating green leafy vegetables and certain pulses is important as it helps keep your baby’s brain protected from tissue damage. Folic acid in vegetables is also known for reducing the risk of neural tube defects, eliminating cleft lip and various heart defects in babies. You also reduce the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy when you make sure to maintain your intake of foods or supplements rich in folic acid.
3. Blueberries
Blueberries are antioxidant-rich foods which will aid your baby’s cognitive development. Other alternatives for blueberries are strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, tomatoes, beans, and artichokes.
4. Eggs
Eggs are high in protein and low in calories, especially boiled eggs. They contain an amino acid called choline which has been proven to aid brain development and enhance memory too. Also, ensure that you avoid unpasteurised eggs since they contain bacteria which may lead to complications.
5. Almonds
Almonds are loaded with healthy fats, magnesium, Vitamin E, and protein. Brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids are found abundantly in almonds. Having a fistful of almonds every day is recommended for giving birth to children who are intelligent right from birth. Eating peanuts during pregnancy can also help the baby develop intelligence; walnuts are rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids too.
6. Greek Yogurt
Protein-rich foods are necessary for forming healthy nerve cells in the mother’s womb for the cognitive development of the baby. Probiotic foods like Greek yoghurt are an amazing way to throw in a little calcium for your baby’s bone development as well. Greek yoghurt is also a rich source of iodine, which helps reduce or prevent the possibility of your baby being born with low birth weight.
7. Cheese
Vitamin D is very important for the cognitive development of babies. Pregnant mothers with low levels of Vitamin D in their body can give birth to babies with low IQ levels. If you want a smart baby with a healthy IQ, make sure to up your dose of cheese!
8. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc. Zinc is a mineral that’s known to promote proper brain structure and aid in the cognitive processing of information. They are high in nutrition and are a rich source of antioxidants too!
9. Beans
Iron is needed by the body for transporting oxygen to nerve cells in the baby’s brain. Beans contain a good amount of iron, which is why pregnant mothers are recommended to up their intake of this food item in their diets. Other iron-rich foods worth adding to your diet are spinach, figs, chicken, and raisins. Eat raisins in moderate proportions to keep your sugar levels in check.
10. Milk
A lack of iron content in pregnant mothers’ bodies leads to mental growth retardation and majorly affects the baby’s overall cognitive development. Milk aids in developing healthy cognitive functions and supports brain development in babies before birth.
Tips and Precautions
What you eat can affect your baby’s development, so make sure to pay heed to the following.
- Be sure to monitor everything you put into your mouth and keep in mind about choosing fresh and organic foods to eat during pregnancy for an intelligent baby.
- Avoid processed foods, sugary substances and definitely avoid things like alcohol, smoking, and anything that contributes to an unhealthy lifestyle.
- Avoid raw meat, fish with mercury, raw shellfish and caffeine, since these increase the likelihood of contamination, thereby leading to complications and/or a miscarriage.
- Ensure that you wash the fruits and vegetables you eat very well before cutting them. Germs, if not removed properly, can enter the flesh of the fruits when they’re being cut and this could cause trouble for you and your unborn baby later on.
- If you feel like your intake of fruits and veggies needs to be increased, include it in your other meals. Chop up veggies and add them to your omelette or cut up fruits and add them to your bowl of oatmeal or porridge; there are several ways to incorporate them into your daily meals. You can also juice fruits, but make sure that you don’t substitute these juices for the actual fruits.
You can consider taking supplements if you have a hard time meeting your recommended daily intake of iron, Vitamin D, and folic acid, but consult a doctor regarding dosages before starting to use them. So, make sure to follow these tips and include these foods in your diet to ensure your baby’s healthy brain development and to bring another genius into this world!
