The Top Ten Pregnancy Nutrition
♫ Tuesday, July 5th, 20111. Eat Your Grains
Complex carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, and cereal are a great source of energy, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Remember that its always better to select whole-grain products, such as whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal.
2. Focus on Folic Acid and Iron
Both folic acid and iron are essential for your body to produce the extra blood that your body requires during pregnancy. As well, folic acid is also especially important in the early weeks of pregnancy to prevent the risk of neural tube and congenital heart defects. Iron and folic acid can be found in a wide range of different foods including: dried fruits, beans, whole grains, dark leafy greens, certain meats, and citrus fruits.
3. Fill Up on Fruits and Vegetables
When planning your meals, choose a wide array of fruits and vegetables. They will provide you with vitamins A and C and minerals such as iron and magnesium. Don’t forget to rinse fruits and vegetables carefully before consuming, to remove any traces of pesticides, or consider selecting organic produce.
4. Enjoy Dairy Products in Moderation
Milk, yogurt, cheese, and even ice cream are great sources of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. Calcium is vital during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Choose low or non-fat items as often as you can.
5. Drink Lots of Water
Don’t underestimate the importance of drinking water throughout your pregnancy. Water is important for building new tissue, carrying nutrients and waste products within your body, helping digestion, and forming amniotic fluid around your baby. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Keeping hydrated will also help prevent those painful leg and foot cramps that are extremely common during pregnancy.
5. Try a Mocktail Instead of a Cocktail
For those women who enjoy an occasional glass of wine or cocktail, abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy can be challenging. Instead of envying others alcoholic drinks, try concocting blended fruit juices with fresh fruit for a refreshing and healthy alternative.
6. Avoid These Foods
Some foods are better off avoided throughout pregnancy because of the possibility of health risks to your baby. These foods are sushi, cold lunch meats, raw eggs, raw meats or shellfish, and unpasteurized milk or cheese.
7. Snack to Prevent Morning Sickness
For some women, nausea and vomiting is an unfortunate aspect of pregnancy. While it cannot be completely avoided, there are ways to minimize these uncomfortable symptoms. Eating frequent meals that include both protein and carbohydrates is a way to keep that queasy feeling at bay. Morning sickness is most likely to strike when you have an empty stomach. Chewing gum or popping a mint in your mouth may also help. As ginger has been long known to prevent nausea, try sipping ginger tea.
8. Minimize Heartburn
Heartburn is another not so pleasant part of pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones are the main cause of this unpleasant condition. As well, as your uterus grows, it will press against your stomach and add to this problem. To prevent and relieve heartburn, eat six small meals instead of three big ones, eat slowly, chew your food well, and don’t eat or drink within a few hours of bedtime. As well, prop a few pillows under your shoulders in bed, and if the symptoms are too uncomfortable, ask your midwife or doctor about using antacids.
9. Consider Prenatal Vitamins
While a well-rounded diet should supply almost all of the nutrients that you will need during a pregnancy, you may be prescribed prenatal vitamins or mineral supplements. Remember not to take anything without the advice of your midwife or doctor.
10. Splurge Occasionally
Finally, don’t forget to splurge occasionally on something that you love to eat. Pregnancy is a time for celebration. It’s Ok to have an occasional bowl of ice cream, slice of cake, or hamburger.
