If you already eat a healthy diet, there may only be small adjustments you need to make to your diet to ensure you are eating right for the next eight months. These five key principles will ensure that you remain fit and healthy, and that baby gets all the nutrients he or she needs to grow to be strong and healthy.

1 Drink Plenty of Water

For a healthy pregnancy, it is critical that you drink enough water, as it will help flush the toxins from your body and fight water retention. Water will also help with constipation and headaches associated with pregnancy.

2 Avoid Processed Foods

The best way to begin your pregnancy is with proper nutrition. That includes the elimination of processed foods that are high in fillers, sodium, salt, and preservatives, which could potentially pose a risk to the baby. In addition, you are far more likely to gain extra water and suffer from fluid retention when your diet contains processed foods. Instead, opt for healthy, whole food choices that are good for you and your baby.

3 Buy Organic

Organic foods are becoming more readily available, and are also becoming more affordable. Therefore, your goal should be to buy organic whenever possible. This is especially true with dairy products, meats, and eggs. Organic foods are higher in amino acids and fatty acids than the non-organic version. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, make sure that those with the highest pesticide concentrations are organic. These are peaches, celery, apples, strawberries, blueberries, spinach, bell peppers, kale, cherries, grapes, and potatoes.

4 Eat Vegetable With Every Meal

As you get further along in your pregnancy, it becomes even more important to make sure that you eat vegetables with every meal. They are high in fiber and that will help with constipation associated with pregnancy. You’ll also feel fuller and you’ll obtain tons of nutrients.

5 Every Meal Should Include Healthy Fats

Healthy fats include olive oil, organic butter, coconut oil, raw nuts, nut butter, and avocado. These fats will help you feel full while providing you with nutrients, and they provide the kind of healthy fats that help with your baby’s cognitive development.

Include these five key principles in your pregnancy nutrition, and you’ll be on your way to well-balanced nutrition throughout your pregnancy. Of course, you should always follow your doctor’s orders when it comes to nutrition.