8 Fruits for a Hot Summer Pregnancy

As with many things in life, eating for two isn’t about quantity, it’s about quality — especially in the summer, when the heat makes you feel tired, lightheaded and swollen. The good news is, summer comes with an abundance of delicious, healthful fruits that can not only help you beat the heat, but also satisfy your sweet tooth. What’s more, did you know that some summer fruits can help relieve some of the least pleasant pregnancy symptoms?

Whether you are suffering from insomnia, leg cramps, constipation or nausea, we have you covered. Here are 8 of the best fruits to eat during pregnancy in the summer.

1. Watermelon, against dehydration.

A true summer time staple, this melon is super hydrating. Your need for water increases throughout your pregnancy to keep both you and baby comfortable. It helps keep headaches and fatigue at bay and helps sustain your level of amniotic fluid.

2. Apples, against fatigue.

It’s easy to feel fatigued in those dog days of summer when you’re building a human. As a healthy, complex carbohydrate, apples are a great snack to give you a natural energy boost.

3. Apricots & Oranges, against anemia.

An unlikely pair whose nutrients work best together. Apricots are high in iron, which can help you fight off anemia (your blood volume doubles during pregnancy and baby is known to steal mom’s iron stores leaving her at a greater risk). Oranges are high in vitamin C, which helps the body absorb the iron.

4. Lemons, against morning sickness.

While most people don’t eat lemons whole, squeezing some into your water, smoothie or juice can help fight morning sickness. If you’re having trouble keeping even fluids down, sometimes just giving lemons a smell can help settle your tummy.

5. Bananas, against leg cramps.

A common symptom of pregnancy is those uncomfortable leg cramps. Standing or sitting too long or just going about your day can bring these on, so keep a banana handy. The high potassium content helps ease the cramps and can get you comfortably back on your feet.

6. Berries, against constipation.

Whether you’re a strawberry, blueberry or blackberry gal, the high fiber content in berries can help keep you regular. Constipation is common in the first trimester, and digestive issues can creep up at any point, so grab a handful of berries and enjoy with a tall glass of water to fill up on fiber, which will absorb the water to move through your digestive tract.

7. Cherries, against insomnia.

Another summer staple, cherries are a fantastic fruit to eat during pregnancy with so many important vitamins and nutrients – possibly the most helpful being melatonin, which can help you catch some zzz’s when sleep is hard to come by.

8. Avocado, against hunger.

One of the biggest and only semi-enjoyable pregnancy symptom is hunger. And while it feels great to know you have the green light to snack happily between meals, being hungry can quickly turn into being hangry. Filling up on small portions of nutrient dense foods that are high in healthy fats (like avocados) can pack a big punch and help you feel satisfied longer to keep hunger at bay.