Superfoods for pregnancy: water

Sure, water's not technically a food, but it's an essential part of a pregnancy diet. A great pregnancy diet should contain enough water to keep your body hydrated and healthy. Maintaining sufficient hydration is important on so many levels:

When you're pregnant your water needs increase. So if you should be drinking 8 - 10 glasses of water when you're not pregnant, expect to drink 10 - 12 glasses when you're pregnant. If you're exercising, you'll need to add an extra glass for each hour of activity.

If you're not a fan of water there are some tricks you can try. To start, try drinking water at different temperatures. Water's easiest to metabolise at room temperature, but some find it more palatable when it's frosty cold. A slice of lime, lemon, orange or even fresh berries can make your water taste a little more zingy. Or, wait for it, try adding a slice of cucumber to your water to alter the taste. Herbs such a mint or lemon balm are also great for upping the taste factor. Or try iced herbal teas such as peppermint or chamomile. But remember, caffeine's a no-go during pregnancy.

Water plays a special role in carrying nutrients through your body to the baby. Plus, drinking enough water stops dehydration which can lead to problems such as pre-term labour in the last trimester. Sufficient water also helps with fluid retention in your feet and ankles - got to love that. But the best thing about water is that it's completely calorie-free - so you can drink as much as you like without working about weight gain.