During pregnancy it is very important to eat a diet high in protein. A high protein pregnancy diet helps to keep blood sugar regulated and provides the building blocks for the baby’s growth and development.

Click Here to find out how to have a healthy pregnancy without the extra pounds!

It also helps protect your liver from breaking down and prevents pregnancy problems such as pre-eclampsia and toxemia, according to Dr. Tom Brewer of The Brewer Diet for pregnancy.

So how much protein should you eat a day?

80-100 grams EACH DAY for a single pregnancy and 120+ grams for twins.

That sounds like a lot, I know, but it is easy to get that much when you eat foods high in protein. Here is a good start: (You might even print this out and hang it on the fridge)

* 2% milk: 1 OZ = 1 Gram If you drink a cup, you have 8 grams of protein. If you mix 2 cups with some Carnation Instant Breakfast, you’ll have about 21 grams!
* Eggs: 6 grams each
* Cheese: 5-10 grams per ounce depending on type (soft has less, hard has the most)
* Meat: 5 grams per ounce (So a 4 oz portion of beef, chicken, or fish has 20 grams of protein, an 8 oz portion has 40 grams!)
* Dried Lentils and split peas: cooked, about 17 grams per cup
* Other cooked beans: about 15 grams per cup
* Soybeans: about 22 grams per cup
* 2 slices of Whole Wheat Bread: 5 grams
* Pasta and Rice: about 8 grams per cup
* Nuts and nut butter: 8 grams for 1/4 cup of nuts or 2 tbsp nut butter

There is also protein in most vegetables and breads, so as you go through the day, your protein intake will really start to add up! Here is an example of a daily menu:

Breakfast:

* 8 oz milk (8 grams)
* Fresh Orange juice (0)
* 2 eggs with green peppers and onions diced, and topped with 1 oz cheese (17 grams)

Mid-morning snack:

* Large scoop of peanut butter on a graham cracker (8 grams)
* Water (0)

Lunch:

* Large salad with 4 oz cooked chicken, 1 boiled egg and a cheese wedge (33 grams)
* Water

Snack:

* 1/4 cup of nuts (8 grams)

Dinner:

* 8 oz baked chicken breast (40 grams)
* Baked potato, any way (4 grams)
* Romaine salad, any way (>1 gram)

Snack:

* 1 oz cheese (7 grams)

Total: 125 grams!

That was pretty easy, right? Throw in a few more fruits, veggies or whole grains, and you will have a very complete pregnancy diet.

Click Here to find out how to have a healthy pregnancy without the extra pounds!

With just a little thought and preparation, you can be sure you and your baby are getting all of the protein you need for a healthy pregnancy!