If you are looking for a present to help make a pregnant woman's day brighter, you may opt for chocolates. However, before you order your chocolates, consider these five tips for picking out the most pregnancy-appropriate chocolate treats for your pregnant friend. 

Include a Mix of Dark & Milk Chocolates

Many people assume that dark chocolate is always a healthier choice than milk chocolate and so you may be tempted to order a set of dark chocolates for your pregnant friend. However, dark chocolate contains more fat, calories, and caffeine than milk chocolate. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, tends to contain more sugar than dark chocolate. Since many pregnant women monitor each of these components of their diet and may want to limit one component over another due to their individual situation, it is important to give them a wide selection to choose from. 

For example, if your pregnant friend does not drink caffeine on a particular day, she may opt for dark chocolate. However, if she treats herself to a latte, she may choose a milk chocolate treat to accompany it. 

Consider Inserting Information About Chocolate Consumption During Pregnancy

Friends, family members, health professionals, and magazines constantly tell women how they should limit their diet during pregnancy. For this reason, your pregnant friend may see all sweets, especially chocolate, as off-limits while she is pregnant. To help ease her mind, you might want to print out information about the benefits of chocolate during pregnancy and include them with your gift. This way your friend can consume her chocolates without guilt and she may feel happy about being told there is something she can indulge in during pregnancy. 

However, this is a highly individual aspect to a gift. If your friend has expressed frustration with overwhelming amounts of dietary advice, you may want to skip the additional information and let her find it on her own. 

Select Covered Fruits or Nuts

As opposed to fillings that are high in sugar such as caramel or nougat, consider opting for chocolates that are filled with fruits or nuts. These can give your friend a vitamin kick while supplying them with extra protein and fiber. This can make the chocolates a more satisfying and healthy snack. 

While most nuts are recommended during pregnancy, you may want to avoid peanuts. Research is divided over whether the consumption of peanuts during pregnancy contributes to peanut allergies or helps prevent them. Unless you know your friend's stance on peanuts, opt for less controversial nuts such as cashews or almonds. 

Opt for Low-Sugar Varieties 

If you know your friend is concerned about sugar intake, you can find many varieties of sugar-free chocolates. However, if sugar is not a major concern, you may simply opt for more organic, natural fillings that tend to have lower amounts of processed sugar and rely instead on natural fruits and cocoa for their flavor. 

Avoid Overly Salted Chocolates

It is popular for many chocolate companies to offer chocolates with salt on top of them or inside the filling. This is because the salt brings out the sweetness in the chocolate, creating a more flavorful experience. However, too much salt during pregnancy can create problems such as high blood pressure and swelling. This can be a significant problem during the third trimester when many women experience swelling of the extremities and bloating even without extra salt intake. To help reduce the risk of these negative side effects, opt for low-sodium varieties or at least avoid chocolates with extra salt added. 

If you select the chocolates you order carefully, your friend will likely be grateful for your considerate and thoughtful gift. For more help on creating a great chocolate selection, contact services like Abdallah Candies And Gifts.