Pregnancy is a trans formative stage in a woman's life. All that she eats, does or even thinks may affect the improvement of her infant. The well being and prosperity of a child inside the belly just as outside-is totally subject to the mother's eating regimen. It is of most important for a mother to have a balanced and nutritious diet to provide the best nourishment to her baby. We have a  list of four super foods that are incorporated in the traditional Indian diet for pregnant and lactating mothers as well. These foods enable prevention of anemia  and stimulation of milk production. One common factor among all these ingredients  are their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are a great interest as they help to protect the human body from diseases. 

1. Fenugreek (Trigonella foeumgraecum) - A valuable, multi-use ingredient. Commonly called methi. Since ages, women have used fenugreek to induce contractions. Even prolonged labor process can be shortened by using fenugreek. Studies have shown that consuming the herb for a few days can give drastic results when it comes to lactation. One of such studies state that there is a 500 % increase in milk production in women who consume fenugreek seeds during pregnancy. 

2. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) - Shatavari is known to improve female fertility but it can improve male fertility as well. This queen of herbs has many benefits due to which it is a much-preferred herb for solving fertility woes. It is known to possess healing properties apart from the reproduction-related uses. The multiple minerals it contains is highly beneficial for depression, arthritis, and high cholesterol. The herb is a phytochemical and responsible for the production of oestrogen, ovulation, and a healthy menstrual cycle. It helps in the better production of a hormone which helps in improving ovulation in women. 

3. Moringa (Moringa oleifera) - Moringa Oleifera leaves are a powerhouse of nutrients and goodness which may make them an ideal dietary ingredient for women during pregnancy.  Moringa is also used to reduce swelling, increase sex drive (as an aphrodisiac), prevent pregnancy, boost the immune system, and increase breast milk production. Some people use it as a nutritional supplement or tonic. 

4. Gond (Anogeissus latifolia) - Gond or edible gum is widely used in dishing out nutritionally loaded preparations; one of its most popular uses in India is while preparing nourishing laddoos that are usually consumed by pregnant and lactating women and by those recovering from an illness. One of the reasons why gondh is chiefly worked into ladoos is because just one of those calorific and nutrition packed roundels would give a nutrition boost required for the day. Pregnant and lactating women need that extra nutritional boost. Nursing mothers lose close to 700ml of additional fluid in a day in the form of breast milk. Breastfeeding burns energy which needs replenishing; all these reasons make gond ladoos ideal for expecting and nursing mothers.