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8 Foods To Eat For An Intelligent Baby

It is a dream of every mother to have smart and intelligent babies. All this depends on a mother's diet. If a mother is not taking proper supplements such as folic acid, vitamin D, iron etc, then there are chances that their deficiency may cause the baby to be born mentally weak with behavioral problems too.

What women eat during pregnancy affects the physical and mental development of their child. You can have some foods that will increase the brain power of your child. Not only during pregnancy, you must start eating these foods at the time when you decide to conceive.

Foods That Celebrities Eat When They Are Pregnant

These supplements and foods can increase the IQ ( intelligence quotient) of your baby. You also have to stimulate the growth of your baby's brain once he is born by giving him the essential nutrients needed for the brain.

When your baby is born, his brain is about 25 percent the size of a normal adult brain. When he becomes 2 years old, his brain has developed upto 75 percent of its adult size.

10 Fruits To Eat During Pregnancy

The first two years of a child is very important for the brain development. Have a look at some foods that you can eat during pregnancy to get smart baby.

Eggs And Cheese

Eggs And Cheese

Have all foods containing vitamin D. It is also important for the development of a baby's brain. A study has shown that mothers whose vitamin D level was less than normal during pregnancy, give birth to babies with low brain power. You must have vitamin D supplements including exposure to sunlight. You must have eggs, cheese, beef, liver etc as a source of vitamin D

Sea Fish And Oysters

Sea Fish And Oysters

They are rich in iodine. Deficiency of iodine during pregnancy, particularly the first 12 weeks,causes low IQ in children. You must take iodised salt during pregnancy. Apart from this, have sea fish, oysters, eggs, yoghurt etc. as a source of iodine.

Spinach And Lentils

Spinach And Lentils

These foods contain folic acid. Folic acid is very important for the formation of brain cells in your baby. A research has shown that pregnant ladies who took folic acid 4 weeks before and 8 weeks after pregnancy had 40 percent less chances of giving birth to autistic babies. Sources of folic acid are green leafy vegetables such as spinach. You also have to take folic acid supplement along with vitamin B12.

Fatty Fish

Fatty Fish

Fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel etc are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It is important for the development of brain in babies. A study has showed that mothers who ate less than two servings of fish per week give birth to babies with low IQs as compared to the children born to mothers who ate at least two serving of fish per week.

Eggs

Eggs

Eggs are rich in amino acid choline, which promote brain development and increase memory in babies. Pregnant ladies must eat two eggs which provides half the recommended daily amount of choline for pregnant women. Eggs also contain protein and iron which increases the birth weight. Low birth weights are are related to lower IQ (intelligence quotient)

Yoghurt

Yoghurt

Your body works hard for the formation of nerve cells of the baby inside your womb. For this, you need to have extra protein. You have to eat protein rich foods such as yoghurt apart from other sources of protein. Yoghurt also contains calcium which is also needed during pregnancy.

Spinach, Lean Chicken And Beans

Spinach, Lean Chicken And Beans

They are rich in iron that makes your baby smarter. They are a must have food during your pregnancy. Iron helps to send oxygen to the brain cells of your baby during pregnancy. You may also take iron supplements on your doctor's advice.

Blueberries

Blueberries

Fruits like blueberries, artichokes, tomatoes, and red beans are rich in antioxidants and must be taken during pregnancy. These fruits protect your baby's brain tissue and helps in its development.

Story first published: Thursday, July 23, 2015, 17:29 [IST]
Read more about: pregnancy prenatal