Carbohydrate-rich Recipes For The First Trimester Of Pregnancy

In today’s article, we give you a couple of carbohydrate-rich recipes for the first trimester of pregnancy.

There are many common misconceptions about carbohydrates, especially during pregnancy. The truth is that carbohydrates are important for the body because they provide energy, which is especially important for managing and controlling common pregnancy symptoms.

Although carbohydrates are important for pregnant women, intake must be balanced. We have therefore selected some carbohydrate-rich recipes that are healthy alternatives for both mother and child.

Carbohydrates during pregnancy

Carbohydrates can be divided into simple, double and complex. It is important that you focus on the complexes  as they provide more minerals, protein and fiber to you and your baby.

Although there is no exact recommended amount, carbohydrates should account for an average of about 60% of a pregnant woman’s daily caloric intake, according to some dietitians.

You can find complex carbohydrates in e.g. vegetables, brown rice, beans, potatoes, wholemeal bread and fruit.

Simple carbohydrates have less fiber and energy, and they do not have much to offer in terms of nutrition. You can find these in white bread, pasta, rice, cereals and sweets.

Fantastic carbohydrate-rich recipes for the first trimester of pregnancy

Before preparing these recipes, you must take into account that women during the first trimester:

• Only should gain between 500 grams and 2 kg in weight
• Their digestive system works much slower
• Should consume highly nutritious foods to achieve greater absorption of nutrients

Carbohydrate-rich recipes for the first trimester of pregnancy: Breakfast

The following breakfast options give pregnant women the energy they need during their first trimester:

• Milk or yoghurt and wholemeal bread, with a drop of olive oil and fresh tomato slices, or
• Rye bread with slices of fresh tomato, avocado and olive oil, with a yogurt, or
• Milk or yoghurt with wholemeal bread and cooked ham topped with vegetables

Carbohydrate-rich recipes for lunch

It is important to eat a complete lunch. The following recipes are great for lunch, but you can also cook them for dinner if you like!

Pasta with broccoli and sautéed sesame

Broccoli and sesame seeds are good because they contain folic acid. Broccoli should preferably be consumed almost raw or cooked, and sesame seeds contain phosphorus and zinc.

Ingredients:

• 250 grams of pasta
• 1 small broccoli

• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 onion
• 100 grams of ricotta cheese
• pepper
• mint leaves

Cooking:

1. Boil the pasta and set aside when done.
2. Cut broccoli into bouquets, boil and set aside.
3. Cut the onion into fine julienne strips and fry it with a tablespoon of oil.
4. Mix garlic, lemon juice, pepper, oil, mint and sesame seeds. Add the cheese when the mixture is even.
5. Finally, mix down the sautéed onion, pasta and broccoli so that the flavors are mixed.
6. Pour over the sauce and serve.

Zucchini, emmentaler and wheat germ

Almost all the ingredients in this recipe contain folic acid and vitamins.

Ingredients:

• ½ kg of pasta
• 1 squash
• 20 cherry tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons wheat germ
• 4 tablespoons pesto sauce
• salt
• 100 grams of mozzarella cheese
• 50 grams of emmentals

Cooking:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 ºC.
2. Rinse all vegetables and then cut the squash into cubes and divide the cherry tomatoes in halves.
3. When ready, mix squash, tomatoes, wheat germ and pesto sauce in a bowl and add spices.
4. Distribute the pasta in an ovenproof dish or frying pan with parchment paper.
5. Pour the contents of the bowl over the pasta. Then top with emmentaler and mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake for 20 minutes. When the gratin is done, set it aside for a few minutes, then cut into pieces and serve.

These good carbohydrate-rich recipes for the first trimester of pregnancy are so good. Do not hesitate to be a little creative and create new recipes with other ingredients.

Remember to include complex carbohydrates (from fruits and vegetables) in the recipes you make. Not only do they give you energy, but they also help reduce some of the unpleasant symptoms that come with the first trimester of pregnancy. We hope you like them!