Sponsored Content

Doctors’ Orders: Eating for two at Smoked

This local OB/GYN has nutrient-packed meal recommendations to support moms-to-be and their growing babies.

Sponsored by
Dishes from Smoked, including the beet salad

This latest installment of Doctors’ Orders features menu choices that are rich in essential nutrients for budding families.

Photo via @smokedsc

Navigating pregnancy nutrition can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be bland. OB/GYN Alvin Strasburger, III, MD at Lexington Women’s Care White Knoll has recommendations to keep you and your baby happy and healthy.

When dining at Smoked, he recommends building a pregnancy-friendly plate full of nutrients that support early fetal development and maternal wellness. First up: the Jumbo Lump Crabcake.

“It’s not only high in protein and low in mercury, but also a natural source of B12 and selenium, key for nerve function and immune health,” Dr. Strasburger said. “The corn salsa alongside adds a fiber boost.”

For the main course, he suggests the roasted beet salad with grilled salmon. It’s a flavorful way to get omega-3s (which are crucial for the baby’s brain and eye development). The beets, arugula, and goat cheese round out the meal with antioxidants, folate, and calcium.

Dr. Strasburger’s go-to advice: Choose variety, balance your plate, and always check fish mercury levels when ordering seafood.

Wondering why beets are a superfood for you and the little one?

See 10 benefits (and a recipe)

More from COLAtoday
The free May 15–16 festival features Martin Bejerano, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso, Endea Owens, and more at Finlay Park.
Columbia-born artist Rodney McMillian debuts a wide-ranging solo exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art this spring.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Spring football gives way to a Darius Rucker–headlined concert and free Garnet & Black block party on Saturday, April 11.
SOCO opens a 9,500-sqft coworking space inside Gather COLA in the BullStreet District.
Dining in Columbia is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
Needlepoint is one of the biggest “analog hobby” trends. Here’s where to learn and meet other stitchers.
A Mount Pleasant artisan’s massive sweetgrass basket is now on display at the South Carolina State Museum.
Lexington’s Wingard’s Market leads USA TODAY’s Best Plant Nursery vote, and supporters can cast ballots daily through March 9 to keep them at No. 1.
Anchor Investment Management is celebrating 25 years by awarding $25,000 in grants to Midlands nonprofits focused on health and education.