In this discussion you will learn why you need a well-balanced diet while you are pregnant and what foods you should eat. You will also find out foods you should avoid and foods that will help some of the unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" namespace="">
Eating regular, well-balanced meals is more important when you are pregnant than at any other time of your life. What you eat provides food for your baby as well as yourself.
You need about 200 to 300 more food calories a day than when you were not pregnant. Most pregnant women need about 2200 to 2300 total calories each day. Your health care provider will suggest a range of weight that you should gain. The usual recommended gain is about 20 to 35 pounds.
Your need for protein increases to 60 milligrams a day when you are pregnant. Your needs for most vitamins and minerals, particularly folic acid and iron, also increase. These nutrients are important for your baby's growth and development. They give your baby strong bones and teeth, healthy skin, and a healthy body.
Foods that are excellent sources of protein and vitamins are:
Good sources of folic acid (also called folate) are:
Foods rich in iron are:
If you need financial help buying nutritious foods, a government program called the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children can help you buy foods like milk, eggs, cheese, and bread.
Eat a variety of whole, fresh foods. Use the following as a guideline for what you should eat every day.
Meat, poultry, fish, beans, or eggs
Grains, rice, pasta, bread
Protein, a major nutrient in this group, is necessary for growth of new cells and replacement of old ones.
Fruits
Fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, melons and berries are the best sources of Vitamin C. Deep yellow fruits like papaya and mango are good sources of Vitamin A. It is easy to eat three or more servings of fruit a day: juice or fresh fruit for breakfast, fresh or dried fruit for a snack, a fruit salad with lunch and a fruit dessert with dinner
Vegetables
Vegetables provide vitamins A and C among other vitamins, minerals and fibre, which can help relieve constipation. Foods rich in Vitamin C are citrus fruits, cabbage, potatoes, spinach, green beans and tomatoes. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C helps the body absorb the iron in foods. The body does not store Vitamin C, so these foods are needed daily.
Milk, cheese, or yogurt
Dairy products provide numerous nutrients and are especially high in calcium and proteins. Calcium is essential in the formation of bones and teeth. If your intake isn’t sufficient, your baby can withdraw calcium from your bones, making you more at risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. If you don’t like to drink milk, try flavouring it with chocolate or a drop of vanilla or serving it chilled over ice. The other ways to enhance milk intake is to take milk products in place of milk as such. These include curd, cheese, butter, etc. One cup of curds contains the same amount of calcium as a cup of milk, so include it with snacks and meals or substitute plain curd for some of the mayonnaise in salad dressings. Another way to add milk to your diet is to choose pudding desserts.
Your health care provider will most likely prescribe a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement. This will help make sure you get the vitamins and minerals you need, such as calcium, iron, and folic acid.
You do not have to eat less salt during pregnancy, as was thought in the past. A moderate amount of salt helps keep proper levels of sodium in your body as your baby develops. Use iodized salt.
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. They contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients. They are low in saturated fat and contain omega-3 fatty acids that can contribute to heart health.
However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. Some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby's developing brain and nerves. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish with high mercury levels. Instead, they should eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
Here are some guidelines for eating fish:
Morning sickness
Many women have morning sickness during the early months of pregnancy. (In most cases, symptoms of nausea and vomiting are less common by the second trimester.) In early pregnancy, the changes in your body can cause you to feel nauseated when you eat or smell certain foods or when you get tired or anxious. It may help if you:
Constipation
To help relieve constipation:
Diarrhea
Heartburn
For heartburn you should:
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