Diet for the Ninth Month of Pregnancy

By Mahak Arora - Updated: October 5, 2023

In this Article

Importance of Proper Diet During the 9th Month of Pregnancy
Which Foods Should You Eat in the Ninth Month?
Which Foods Should You Avoid in the Ninth Month?
Sample Indian Diet During Pregnancy 9th Month
Supplements That You Can Take During 9 Month Pregnancy
Tips
FAQs

The ninth month of pregnancy is when you should relax and rest as much as possible. In the third trimester, your diet and lifestyle should account for both you and your baby’s health. Although throughout the pregnancy, you must take care of consuming a nutritious diet, in the third trimester, especially the ninth month, you should be cautious of what you eat. Not every food can be a part of your 9th month pregnancy diet. You might feel confused as to what you can and cannot consume during this crucial stage. To help you with this problem, we have mentioned some pregnancy-safe and non-safe foods for the ninth month of pregnancy.

Importance of Proper Diet During the 9th Month of Pregnancy

The ninth month of pregnancy builds a lot of excitement and nervousness as you are going to have your very own tiny bundle of joy in your hands anytime soon. Therefore, following the right diet is crucial as the baby gains maximum fat and body mass during this period, with their brain and lungs developing. At this stage of pregnancy, diet should precisely include food that will aid in proper weight gain for the baby.

Which Foods Should You Eat in the Ninth Month?

Indulge in healthy and nutritious foods similar to those you had in the first and second trimester. But you’ll need to eat bigger meals as your baby is putting on weight. Here are some best food for 9th month pregnancy.

1. Fibre-Rich Foods

Include fresh vegetables, fruits, cereals, oats, bread and whole grains in your diet.

2. Calcium-Rich Foods

Calcium-rich foods are a must in the last stage of pregnancy. Your growing baby needs calcium for the development of strong bones. Cheese, yoghurt, lentils, almonds, leafy greens are good choices.

3. Iron-Rich Foods

Iron deficiency is a major problem faced by women in the third trimester. Even if you take iron supplements, your diet should be consist of iron-rich foods. Iron is available in raisins, broccoli, chicken, peas, berries, eggs, fish, etc.

4. Foods With Vitamin C

Eat tomatoes, cauliflower, strawberries, broccoli, bell-peppers and oranges. These are not only high in vitamin C but are also good for your skin.

5. Folic Acid-Rich Foods

Folic acid is vital for your baby’s growth, especially for spine development. If you don’t take folic acid supplements, add foods like beans, green leafy vegetables, and chickpeas to your plate.

6. Foods With Vitamin A

Vitamin A is necessary for your baby’s eyes and also helps your eye health. Foods like sweet potato, carrots, and spinach are full of Vitamin A.

Summing Up: Foods to Eat During the 9th Month of Pregnancy

Fresh fruits like strawberries, and oranges
Fresh veggies like tomatoes, cauliflower, beans, sweet potato, carrots, and peas
Oatmeal
Whole-grain foods
Dairy products like cheese, yoghurt, eggs, chicken, and fish
Lentils
Leafy greens like spinach
Dry fruits like raisins, and almonds

A balanced diet keeps common pregnancy symptoms like heartburn and constipation at bay. It also ensures the proper development of the fetus.

Which Foods Should You Avoid in the Ninth Month?

Here’s a list of foods to avoid in the early as well later stages of pregnancy:

1. Caffeine

Caffeine is highly dangerous to your little one during pregnancy. If you simply can’t do without it, limit the intake to 200 mg a day. Chocolate may also contain caffeine, so it’s better to cut down on its consumption.

2. Alcohol

Avoid alcohol throughout pregnancy.

3. Soft Cheese

Cheese that is unpasteurized can lead to listeriotic, an infection which is hazardous to your baby. So, stay away from it.

4. Tobacco

Tobacco can affect the development of the foetus.

5. Fish With High Mercury Content

Some types of fish like shark, marlin and swordfish contain a high amount of mercury, which is harmful to the baby.

6. Raw Meats

With uncooked or half-cooked meat, you run the risk of contracting a bacterial or viral infection that can cross the placenta and cause harm.

7. Junk Foods

Chips, cakes, cookies and candy have little nutritional value and are high in sugars and fats. They should be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether.

Summing Up: Foods to Avoid During the 9th Month of Pregnancy

Coffee and chocolate with caffeine content
Alcohol
Unpasteurized cheese
Tobacco
Fish with mercury content like swordfish, shark and marlin
Raw meats
Junk foods

Sample Indian Diet During Pregnancy 9^th Month

Wondering what your 9 month pregnancy diet chart should look like? Here is a sample diet chart for you to follow:

1. Breakfast

Milk/Paneer
Vegetable daliya
Vegetable upma
Vegetable poha
Wheat flakes

2. Mid-morning Snack

A bowl of fresh fruits

3. Lunch

One plate salad
One bowl dal
One bowl of vegetables of your choice
3 rotis
Raita/Curd/Buttermilk

4. Evening Snack

A glass of A2 cow milk
Bhunna Channa
Besan chilla
One boiled egg
A bowl of fresh fruits
A bowl sprout

5. Dinner

One plate of fresh salad
One bowl of vegetables
One bowl of dal or curd
3 chappati

6. Bedtime

Dessert / Milk

Supplements That You Can Take During 9 Month Pregnancy

Here are some supplements for the best food for the 9th month pregnancy that you can have after consulting with your doctor.

Calcium Supplement: When you are not getting enough calcium from your daily diet, calcium supplement will be prescribed to you.

Multi-Vitamin and Multi-Mineral Supplement: This supplement will cover all the vitamins and minerals requirements that your body needs during the ninth month of pregnancy.

Folic Acid Supplement: Folic acid supplements will help you produce healthy red blood cells and prevent birth defects.

Tips

These tips will help manage your meals better.

Split your meals into 6-7 portions instead of 3 large ones.
Consume water throughout the day.
Eat a handful of nuts and seeds every day.

FAQs

1. What Are the Ways to Gain Weight During 9th Month of Pregnancy?

If your doctor recommends you gain weight during the ninth month of pregnancy, you should not skip your breakfast, eat peanut butter or cheese toast for extra protein, include foods that have good fats in your diet and consume healthy snacks like yoghurt and dried fruits in between meals.