|
Articles » Health-&-Fitness » Nutrition >> View Article
|
|
|
The best nutrition for pregnant women
|
By:
Alice Shown
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pregnancy is a time when your body begins to undergo sudden and rapid changes. There was a time when mothers to be were advised to eat enough for two. Today, this advice is way off the mark because new research finds that in terms of quantity, pregnant mothers need take in an extra 300 calories only. So, pregnant mothers who habitually eat enough for two may find themselves developing undesirable health conditions. Therefore, it is important for pregnant mothers to understand what kind of food is best for them and their baby.
Even if you have been eating a healthy diet prior to your pregnancy, you have to pay extra attention to what you eat when you are pregnant. A healthy diet is vital to a successful pregnancy because it ensures correct fetal growth and reduces complications.
Given below are a few guidelines regarding nutrition for pregnant women:
- Avoid empty calories. Choose whole grain foods and substitute high calorie foods with foods that have higher nutritive value.
- Pregnant women need approximately 1,500 mg of calcium everyday. This supplies enough calcium to the fetus for bone growth and prevents the mother from losing her bone density. In this regard, it is important to remember that most women do not get enough calcium even when they are not pregnant. So, extra effort has to be made to get the right amounts of calcium throughout pregnancy. Calcium rich foods include tofu, salmon, green leafy vegetables and dairy products.
- Another important aspect of nutrition for pregnant women is regarding the need to stock up on food rich in iron. These include fish, poultry, eggs, enriched grains and green leafy vegetables. However, since iron absorption from food takes place at a very slow pace, many doctors advise the intake of iron supplements. Iron supplements often lead to constipation, though it may help if you take your supplements with food. To improve iron absorption, include food that is rich in vitamin C.
- Folic acid is important to proper fetal growth. Taking in 400 mg of folic acid everyday can prevent more than 70% of birth defects commonly found in newborn babies. Natural foods like dark green vegetables, oranges, grains, beans, lean meat and liver are rich in folic acid. You also get folic acid supplements, and doctors often recommend the intake of prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid.
- Pregnant mothers must not follow a restrictive diet. Do not skip meals. Eat enough to gain weight at the recommended rate. Include a variety of foods since this ensures that you are getting all the minerals and vitamins that your body needs. Eat at regular intervals so that your blood sugar levels do not peak and dip.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Avoid alcohol and quit smoking.
- These days, it is common for pregnant women to take in large doses of supplements. Although some amount of fortified foods is helpful, large doses can cause health problems. So always discuss with your healthcare provider before you start taking supplements of any sort.
- Pregnant women should avoid undercooked food, swordfish, mackerel and tilefish since these may contain high levels of Mercury.
By following these tenets of good nutrition, a pregnant mother can ensure the health and proper development of her baby. At the same time, she can also prevent unnecessary weight gain that may lead to health complications later on. |
| Resources |
|
Nutrition for Pregnant Women - Pregnancy Planet is the only community on the web dedicated to pregnant and TTC parents. We provide week by week pregnancy information, symptoms & advice along with parenting tips & solutions, conception due date calculator, celebrity baby news, free TTC tickers & blinkies and much more. Article Source : http://www.article-content-king.com
|
Total Views :
292 Word
Count Appx. :
598
Rating : 18
Related articles
Top 10 Ways You Benefit from Eating Chia
How can YOU benefit from eating Chia Seeds? Find out the top 10 ways! Do you want to prevent Diverticulitis? How about Type-2 Diabetes? Learn how the chia seed can help you prevent these painful problems plus...weight loss, added energy, and even bakin
(read entire
article)
|
By: Emily Morris | 07-02-2010 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Why Are Vegetables Losing Their Nutrition?
USDA facts show vegetables & fruits are less nutritious today then they were even 20 years ago. Is "eat your vegetables" the great advice it used to be? Find out what's happening to the foods you trust to keep you healthy, & what you
(read entire
article)
|
By: Emily Morris | 19-02-2010 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
What Is up With Root Vegetables?
Root vegetables are generally loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. They are most always low in calories and are virtually fat free. A general guide to follow is the deeper the color of the root the more antioxidants it contains.
(read entire
article)
|
By: Jeanne Caccia Silva | 14-02-2009 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar-Mother Nature's Remedy
Okay all of you “health nuts” out there… you’re eating your share of fruits and vegetables and drinking your milk (all organic of course). Are you taking your daily dose of raw apple cider vinegar with the mother? Whose mother?
(read entire
article)
|
By: Michelle L. Rodriguez | 25-11-2009 |
|
| |
Brazzein: The New CWEET
A new sweetener hitting the food and beverage markets is derived from a fruit called Brazzein, its sweet protein that will be marketed as Cweet. Cweet will be derived from the smoked and dried berries of the plant Pentadiplandra brazzeana, found in C
(read entire
article)
|
By: Liz Lipski, Aubrey Mast | 12-11-2008 |
|
| |
Add Variety with Exotic Fruits
With the importing of fruits that are grown in countries in the Southern Hemisphere becoming more commonplace Americans now have the opportunity to sample new exotic fruits all year round. Many of the fruits described below fall into that category.
(read entire
article)
|
By: Jeanne Caccia Silva | 14-02-2009 |
|
| |
Balancing Brain Chemistry
Your brain is your most important organ, with at home testing and targeted nutrition you can balance your brain chemistry for renewed health, vitality and libido.
(read entire
article)
|
By: Dr Steven Forrest | 07-05-2009 |
|
| |
What is power crunch? How can we prepare this?
Power Crunch is crisp wafer filled with tasty protein creme. These wafer bars are rich in protein and low in sugar and carbohydrate. Power Crunch Bars are available in different flavors. Power Crunch does not have the thick hard protein. This is an ide
(read entire
article)
|
By: Kevin Moshayedi | 07-11-2008 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
|
