Organic Smoothies for a Healthy Pregnancy : Turnip Temptation, Vitamin C Smoothie, Imperative Iron

1. Turnip Temptation

Good for your baby’s nervous system

Rich in nutrition, the turnip—this rarely enjoyed root vegetable—is a great addition to any meal, especially when you think about its folate content. The daily requirement for pregnant women is 600mcg and this smoothie contains about 60mcg.

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup romaine lettuce

2 turnips, peeled and cut best for blender’s ability

2 carrots, peeled

2 stalks celery

2 cups purified water

1. Combine romaine, turnips, carrots, celery, and 1 cup water in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
2. Add remaining 1 cup of water while blending until desired texture is achieved.

2. Vitamin C Smoothie

Good for strengthening your immune system

Immunity and health are never as important as when you’re pregnant. And not only does the vitamin C found in this recipe make for an important addition to your diet for its strong immunity-building power, this vitamin also benefits you by providing optimal brain functioning. That means better mental clarity, improved focus, and an overall feeling of awareness that is far superior to the mental fuzziness commonly referred to as “pregnancy brain.”

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup watercress

2 tangerines, peeled

¹⁄₂ grapefruit, peeled

¹⁄₂ pineapple, peeled and cored

¹⁄₂ cantaloupe, rind and seeds removed

1 cup red raspberry tea

1. Combine watercress, tangerines, grapefruit, pineapple, and cantaloupe in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
2. Add tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.

3. Imperative Iron

Helps boost energy levels

Pregnant women require 27mg of iron per day (as opposed to 18mg when not pregnant) and, thanks to the broccoli in this recipe, this smoothie is full of it! Iron is responsible for making hemoglobin that carries oxygen to your cells. Because many women are iron deficient prior to becoming pregnant, their needs are even higher and the risks associated with iron deficiencies are more severe. Preterm delivery, low birth weight, infant mortality, and decreased energy levels are all risks of iron deficiencies in pregnancy. So skip the chips and drink down this savory, satisfying smoothie!

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup spinach

2 carrots, peeled

¹⁄₂ cup broccoli spears

¹⁄₂ cup asparagus spears

1 clove garlic

2 cups caffeine-free red raspberry tea

1. Combine spinach, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, garlic, and 1 cup of tea in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
2. Add remaining 1 cup of tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.