A guide to nutrition during pregnancy
Eating right is essential both for yourself and your baby. The same can also be said about pre-pregnancy. This article will offer a guide to nutrition for expectant mothers.
Eating for two
What to eat while pregnant should be a very important consideration for you. A good pregnancy and nutrition go hand in hand. A pregnant diet should include all of the foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You should learn about the food groups and also learn how to eat for two and how to balance your meals, so they lean towards the healthy side. Your physician will be able to tell you what constitutes a health pregnancy. He will tell you what foods contain nutrients and also what to avoid during pregnancy. Your nutritional needs will change as you progress through the trimesters. You will also find that your tolerance for eating different kinds of foods will also change. There are some basic guidelines, however, that all pregnant women should follow throughout every stage of the process.
The importance of eating and drinking water
As a pregnant woman, eating during pregnancy matters a lot. Your baby needs to grow and develop and he or she requires proper nutrition to do that. You need to try to eat balanced meals and not to skip any of your meals. You need to keep yourself well hydrated. When it comes to how to avoid constipation and what to avoid when pregnant, the last thing you want to do is to reduce your water consumption. Drink up and do so often throughout the day. Consume at least six to eight glasses daily. You should also cut back on your caffeine consumption. That means drinking less coffee, tea and soda and consuming less chocolate.
Food for pregnancy
A diet for pregnancy needs to include plenty of calcium. To increase your intake of calcium, you need to make sure that you are consuming enough dairy products. Examples of good choices for pregnant food include milk, yogurt, low fat cheese and pudding. You can also get a plentiful supply of calcium through non-dairy sources such as broccoli, beans, kale, salmon and orange juice. A healthy infant requires folic acid because it is needed for the development of the brain and the spine. It is particularly important to be consuming enough folic acid before you know that you are expecting a baby. Ask your doctor if taking a folic acid supplement is a good idea for you if you are trying to get pregnant. Some of the best sources of this mineral include dark leafy green vegetables, cantaloupe, corn, beets, squash, peanuts, peanut butter, orange juice from concentrate, and dried beans.