Why is Nutrition of the Utmost Importance in Pregnant Women?
Nutrition is very important for a healthy pregnancy. It is essential that expectant mothers maintain a balanced diet with all the nutrients necessary to ensure fetal growth as well as maternal sustenance. Unbalanced diets can lead to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or even disorders such as anaemia in which lack of iron causes low levels of haemoglobin protein resulting in less oxygen-carrying capacity by red blood cells leading to fatigue and breathlessness. In this blog you will get a complete food guide for pregnant women.
Expert Tips for Pregnant Mothers
Here are the key Nutrition tips that pregnant mothers must follow for a healthy pregnancy:
#1 Protein intake is very important
Eating protein is very important because it provides your baby with all the essential amino acids needed for growth. It’ll also make you feel fuller longer, which will help decrease tempting but unhealthy cravings during pregnancy, such as ice cream and other sweets. One good way to get enough protein is by eating protein-rich vegetarian diets like kidney beans, pulses, soy-based foods, beans, and cottage cheese (if you prefer dairy). You can also have lean meats like chicken breast, skinless turkey, pork chop, etc. Avoid having canned tuna fish because oftentimes they have too much mercury content when eaten regularly; it can harm the baby, so try grilled or baked salmon instead if you like eating fish.
#2 Pregnant women need more calcium
Calcium is essential for the development of your baby’s bones; it can also help with muscle contractions during labor, so make sure your body gets enough calcium! One good way to increase calcium intake is by eating low-fat dairy products such as skim milk, yogurt, or cheese which are a great protein source too. You could also try adding other food items that are high in calcium, like broccoli, kale, almonds, etc., to your diet but remember that moderation is the key because excess intake may lead to constipation.
#3 Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables
Nutrition for pregnant women must include the intake of fruits & vegetables in their diet. The recommended amount for fruit is four servings a day, while two servings are enough for vegetables. Also, you must ensure that you have at least three cups of leafy greens every day, which provides more nutrients than other types of veggies. Apart from this, you must also include food items like bananas or avocados that are rich in healthy fats, which help in reducing inflammation in your body and provide essential vitamins like vitamin C and potassium that keep you energized throughout the pregnancy process.
#4 Pregnant women must have iron-rich food
A pregnant woman ideally needs double the amount of iron needed by a woman who’s not expecting a baby. Also, additional amounts of minerals are required to make more blood in order to supply an adequate amount of oxygen to the baby. If a pregnant woman doesn’t get enough iron, she could develop anemia, which can result in fatigue and an increased risk of infections.
Moreover, to increase iron absorption in the body, it is advised that a healthy pregnancy diet must include a good source of vitamin C with meals containing iron-rich food.
Ending Note
The health of your pregnancy and the baby that you’re carrying is paramount. However, it can be a challenge to juggle all of the advice from doctors and friends, as well as what feels right for you when you’re pregnant. Thus, following the above-mentioned nutritional needs for pregnant woman will help ensure that you don’t miss out on nutrition and have a healthy pregnancy. If you have any further queries or concerns, then contact Motherland Hospital for the best gynecologist in Noida, who will guide you through any questions or concerns and provide guidance on what steps should be taken during each trimester of pregnancy.
