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Expert Q&A

	By Kelly Camden Certified Doula

What frozen fruits and veggies should I keep on hand?

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a mom-to-be's diet, and frozen options can help even women who don't like to cook come closer to their nutritional goals. Try keeping bags of a variety of vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower or mixed varieties and also fruits such as peaches, melon and berries in your freezer. You can just take out as much as you want to defrost for one serving, re-tie the bag and keep it in the freezer for another day. It's a big time-saver and helps to reduce waste.

Because you can use a little and put it back in the freezer, it helps women who are dealing with the nausea, cravings and food aversions that come with pregnancy. What may look good in the grocery store may not look good again for days or weeks after you get them home.

Regardless of whether you buy fresh or frozen produce, consider selecting fruits and vegetables labeled "organic." These fruits and vegetables, which carry the official organic seal, have been grown and processed following strict guidelines limiting the use of chemicals and pesticides.

And while it may be colder in the frozen aisle, stick around and be a label reader here, too. There are many frozen foods available today, and the variety includes some that are great and convenient additions to a diet and others that are best left in the freezer cabinet. Especially when pregnant, it's important to watch your salt intake, so stay away from frozen processed and prepared foods that are high in sodium. Also be sure to watch your intake of fish that may be high in mercury levels such as swordfish and tuna. Trans fats are now included on the Nutrition Facts of each food label – it is important for everyone to keep them to a minimum.

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