There is a need for proper nutrition during
pregnancy. Read about healthy pregnancy nutrition.
Nutrition During Pregnancy
There is a need for proper nutrition during
pregnancy, as the mother's nutritional status will affect the
development of the baby. It is during the time of pregnancy, when
various changes take place in the expectant mother's body, which are not
just anatomical, but also physiological in nature. It is a very crucial
time and it becomes all the more necessary for the mother to take care
of herself and there arises a need for consuming healthy pregnancy
nutrition. Read further to explore information about nutrition during
pregnancy…
Some of the changes that take place in the expectant mother and
demand the need to make nutritional adjustments are:
- Fat And Energy: it is during the time of pregnancy, when
fat deposits take place in the mother's body and it is this fats
storage that is later utilized by the body, during lactation, for
the formation of milk. Owing to this fact, the calorie requirement
generally increases by 300 calories. But it also depends from person
to person. An underweight mother needs to consume more calories than
an overweight mother. Well, it is preferable to consult your doctor,
as far as your calorie intake is concerned.
- Protein: protein is the most vital nutrient required by
the body. It happens during the early and mid pregnancy stages, that
protein starts getting stored in the body. And it is during the
later stages of pregnancy, when the foetus is rapidly developing,
that the body utilizes its protein reserves.
- Minerals: as far as the minerals are concerned, it is the
calcium and phosphorus that occupy a supreme position. Calcium is
vital for healthy bone and teeth formation and it is during
pregnancy that the calcium needs are especially high for the healthy
bone formation of the foetus.
- Iron: during pregnancy, the need for iron intake
increases, as this mineral is essential for the body's development.
- Vitamin A: vitamin A is essential for carrying out
several bodily functions. It helps in improving vision and
maintaining the nervous equilibrium. Well, as far as the intake of
vitamin A is concerned, there is a need to ensure that you've had
your recommended daily vitamin intake.
Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Eating a well-balanced diet is necessary to maintain good health. However, it becomes even more important for a pregnant woman to eat healthy because her diet is the only source of nutrition for the developing fetus. It is recommended that expectant mothers eat a balanced diet consisting of all the essential vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Nutrition During Lactation
The nutrition needs of a nursing mother are much more, because the kind of nutrition she consumes, will determine the quantity and quality of milk produced post-pregnancy. The food that the mother consumes not just fulfills her nutritional requirements, but also the nutritional requirements of the baby. A nursing mother produces 23 to 27 ounces of milk per day and thus, there arises a need to consume 500 extra calories per day.
