Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is of utmost importance for both, the mom and the child. During pregnancy, the body requires additional nutrients and it's important to give your body just that. In fact, your body may start needing 350-500 calories each day during the second and the third trimesters. A diet lacking in the required nutrients may negatively affect the child's development. Poor eating habits and excess weight gain may also increase the risk of gestational diabetes and may lead to birth complications. Here are the foods to eat to have a healthy pregnancy...

Bean help prevent constipation which many pregnant women are prone to. It is also rich in protein, fibre potassium and magnesium. Beans also help stimulate the digestive process.

Nuts like almonds, coconut and Brazil nut provide good unsaturated fats that are essential for pregnant women. They help stay full for longer and help in the development of the brain of the unborn baby. Turning these nuts into a healthy butter is an easy way to consume them and get the necessary amount you need.

Just one banana is close to a hundred calories. It is a great source of folic acid and is rich in vitamin B6, calcium and potassium. This fruit can give you a boost of energy as it contains plenty of antioxidants. Eating bananas while you're pregnant also helps in reducing the amount of time you experience morning sickness.

Legumes happen to an excellent source of fibre, protein, iron, folate (B9) and calcium which are all things your body desperately needs during pregnancy. You could opt for lentils, peas, beans, chickpeas, soybeans and peanuts. Legumes are also rich in folate which happens to be a very important nutrient that the body requires and may also aid in reducing birth defects.

Rich in calories, fibre and various vitamins and minerals, dried fruits contain the same amount of nutrients as fresh fruits. So, opt for prunes that are high in fibre, potassium, vitamin K and sorbitol. And you could even opt for dates that contain potassium, iron and plant compounds. However, don't opt for candied dry fruits as they have super high sugar content.

When you're pregnant the blood volume in your body increases by up to 1.5 litres or about 50 ounces. Which is why it is all the more important for you to stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water can help get rid of small problems like headaches, anxiety, tiredness and bad mood. However, you need to drink at least 2 litres of water per day.

Beef, pork and chicken are excellent sources of high-quality protein. They are also rich in iron which is needed in higher amounts during pregnancy. Pregnant women need more iron since their blood volume is increasing. This is particularly important during the third trimester. It may be hard to cover iron needs with diet alone, especially since many pregnant women develop an aversion to meat.

Eating whole grains may help pregnant women meet their increased calorie requirements, especially during the second and third trimesters. They are packed with fibre, vitamins and plant compounds. They are also rich in vitamin B and magnesium.

Fish liver oil is made from the oily liver of fish, most often cod. It is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are essential for fetal brain and eye development. Also, cod liver oil is very high in vitamin D, of which many people don’t get enough. It may be highly beneficial for those who don’t regularly eat seafood or supplement with omega-3 or vitamin D.