Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of everyday living but making sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs to function properly becomes increasingly more important when you’re pregnant.

Many soon-to-be moms struggle with what foods they should be eating while pregnant. For this reason, we’ve come up with a list of 20 of the best foods to eat while pregnant. Each of these foods are high in  essential vitamins and minerals and will make sure you and your baby remain healthy during your pregnancy.

Before we get to the foods, it’s important to understand the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs during pregnancy – then we’ll list the foods that provide these necessities.

Essential Nutrients:

Vitamin A – Vital for the development of your baby’s bones, teeth and eyes.

Vitamin B6 – Helps your baby’s tissue and brain growth. Also helps you with morning sickness.

Vitamin C – Vital in the development of your baby’s tendons, bones, skin and cartilage. Also helps boost your immune system.

Folic Acid – Vital in the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system.

Calcium – Vital in the development of your baby’s bones, teeth, nerves, muscles and heart rhythm.

Protein – Made up of amino acids that are the building blocks of your baby’s body

Iron – Makes hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen to other cells. Iron deficiencies can lead to preterm deliveries, low birth rate and infant mortality.

Here are the 20 Best Foods for Pregnancy:

1. Avocados. High in Folic Acid, Potassium, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6.

2. Carrots. High in Vitamin A, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C.

3. Lentils. HIgh in Folic Acid, Protein, Vitamin B6 and Iron.

4. Broccoli. High in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and Folic Acid.

5. Nuts. High in Calcium and Vitamin E.

6. Mangoes. High in Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

7. Edamame. High in Protein, Calcium, Folic Acid, Vitamin A and Vitamin B.

8. Spinach. High in Folic Acid, Iron, Vitamin A and Calcium.

9. Oatmeal. High in Fiber, Vitamin B and Iron.

10. Red Peppers. High in Vitamin A, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C.

11. Low-Fat Yogurt. High in Calcium, Protein and Folic Acid.

12. Figs. High in Fiber, Potassium, Calcium and Iron.

13. Beans. High in Fiber and Protein.

14. Eggs. High in Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin D and Vitamin E.

15. Sweet Potatoes. High in Fiber, Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

16. Popcorn. High in Fiber and Vitamin E.

17. Cheese Strings. High in Protein and Calcium.

18. Basil. High in Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Magnesium and Potassium.

19. Chives. High in Folic Acid, Iron, Fiber, Vitamin Cm Vitamin B6 and Magnesium.

20. Oranges. High in Vitamin C, Folate and Fiber.