Guest Author - Kris Bigalk

Adequate nutrition during your pregnancy is doubly important when you are carrying twins. Many studies have shown a direct relationship between good nutrition during pregnancy and good health of the babies. If you're pregnant with twins, the books linked to at the end of the article provide excellent resources on nutrition specific to a multiple pregnancy.

Most OB/GYN's recommend that a woman expecting twins gain about fifty pounds. While this may seem daunting at the beginning of a twin pregnancy, most women find that it is easy to gain an adequate amount of weight to ensure the health of their babies. Here are some specific foods that are convenient, nutritious, and delicious.

Green Leafy Vegetables
Leaf lettuce, baby salad greens, spinach, and kale are all examples of green leafy vegetables (iceberg lettuce doesn't count). All are high in folic acid, an essential nutrient protects babies against many birth defects, including spina bifida. They are also high in fiber and contain other nutrients vital to growing babies, such as calcium and iron. Keep greens on hand for salads and stir-fries, which make a great lunch or snack.

Berries
Antioxidants help our bodies fight infection, and get rid of "free radicals" in our bloodstream. A good rule of thumb is that the brighter the color of the fruit, the more antioxidants it contains. Strawberries contain Vitamin C, a great nutrient and antioxidant. Blackberries are high in maganese, and blueberries contain the highest level of antioxidants of any fruit. Add some fresh or frozen berries to your morning cereal or breakfast smoothie, or enjoy a bowl of mixed fruit as a dessert or snack every day.

Nuts
Women pregnant with twins need to consume a lot of protein, both to keep themselves alert and energetic and to enhance the babies' growth. Almonds, sunflower seeds, pepitos (pumpkin seeds), and other nuts make a great snack, since they are also loaded with other vitamins, including Vitamin E, iron, and magnesium.

Eggs
Eggs are a great food for women pregnant with multiples. Eggs are high in folate, and contain Vitamin B12, riboflavin, and other vitamins. Another benefit of eggs is their fat and "good cholesterol" content. Getting enough fat in your diet is essential when you are pregnant with multiples.

Every woman pregnant with multiples should consult with her doctor about nutrition during a multiple pregnancy, and follow his or her guidelines. Other resources, such as the books below, written by experts in the field of multiple pregnancy, are available at your local bookstore or library.