Ingredients

200ml Fresh cold orange juice

As the main component of this smoothie, oranges contain both folate and betacarotene – both important nutrients at this stage of a pregnancy. Appropriate folate intake is highly important in the first trimester of pregnancy in order to help avoid spina bifida in the baby. Betacarotene is important because it is changed into Vitamin A once it’s in the body. Vitamin A helps fight against infection and is essential for the baby’s development – in particular, organ, circulatory, respiratory and nervous system development.

1 cup baby Spinach or Kale

Spinach or kale are a good source of folate which helps to avoid spina bifida. It is also rich in iron which assists red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body, hopefully helping the mother with any feelings of fatigue that she may experience.

50g Beetroot

Beetroot is another folate rich ingredient to further assist in the prevention of spina bifida in the baby.

1/2 cup Carrots

There are high amounts of betacarotene found in carrots. As mentioned above, betacarotene is turned into Vitamin A once absorbed into the body, which is essential for the baby’s development.

1 tbs Sunflower Seeds

Another source of folate and iron! In addition to this, sunflower seeds also provide us with omega 3 essential fatty acids. Omega 3 fats help with the growth and development of the baby’s brain and eyes. Mum can benefit greatly from omega 3s too as studies have found a strong link between these fats and the improvement of cardiovascular health.

1tsp fresh grated Ginger

Ginger has been used to help treat nausea and vomiting across traditional herbal medicine for many years. Hopefully the addition of ginger in this delicious smoothie will help sooth those nauseous feelings that come with pregnancy.