Diet During Pregnancy – What Nutrients Are Essential For Pregnant

Nutrition And Diet During Pregnancy

It is not only important to eat well, but also to eat healthy during pregnancy. Especially in the later stages of pregnancy, when the fetus develops rapidly, you should intake 300-400 calories more than your normal daily intake of 2100 calories. However, these calories should come from sources that do not harm the body, but supply essential nutrients to the mother and the baby. A well balanced diet rich in calcium, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and vitamins is crucial to the proper growth and development of the fetus and to the preparation of the mother’s body to give birth to the baby. It is common for pregnant women to put on weight during pregnancy. You should aim at gaining 25-35 pounds during this period if you weighed normal before pregnancy. Most of the weight gain occurs during the second and the third trimesters, so it is necessary to monitor your diet carefully during this period.

Make sure that you eat sufficient proteins every day as this promotes cell growth and increases the production of blood in the body. Lean meats, beans, pulses, soy products, peanut butter, seafood, egg whites and cheese are rich natural sources of proteins and fats, and should therefore be consumed regularly. You could have a bowl of chicken broth or soup every day at lunch, and may alternate between tofu and fish at dinner. If you are vegetarian, you should substitute meats with plenty of beans, soy products and milk. Consuming foods rich in carbohydrates is also necessary for keeping yourself fit and energetic. Eat breads and cereals, fruits and green vegetables, rice and potatoes regularly to supply the requisite amount of carbohydrates to your body during pregnancy. A fruit or vegetable salad and a cup of cereals would make for an ideal breakfast during pregnancy. It is essential that you consume a healthy amount of iron throughout your diet, as this determines the level of red blood cells produced in the body. This is of utmost importance for those women who are underweight or have a tendency for anemia. Whole grains and cereals, lean red meats, spinach and other leafy vegetables are the richest natural sources of iron. If you are already anemic, you should also consume iron supplements daily after consulting your physician. Also, ensure that the bones of the mother and the baby are strong by eating calcium-rich foods like milk and sea fish. Fresh fruits should also be eaten regularly to supply vitamins and minerals to the body, essential for proper functioning of nerves and stimulating enzyme production.

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