Pregnancy is the most nutritionally demanding period in woman’s
life. Pregnancy deals with rapid cell division and organ development
of the baby. Adequate supply of nutrition is required to meet the
increased demands of your body. During pregnancy eating should be
pleasure as it is throughout life. Expected mothers should continue
to enjoy their favorite foods in moderation .The nutritional needs
are higher by 300 Calories over the pre-pregnant state.This will
ensure that you will have adequate weight gain.
Most mothers-to-be think that they need to “eat for two” for proper
growth of the baby. However, “eating for two” may not be always
be required. If you are already above the ideal body weight (Obese)
or have diabetes, you need not eat for two. The amount of food that
you can eat during pregnancy is dependent on your physical activity,
your pre-pregnant weight, and presence of any illness.
The diet during pregnancy should be adequate to provide for:
- Maintenance of mother’s health.
- Needs of the growing foetus.
- Successful lactation .
Pregnancy
diet ideally should be nutritious and easily digestible. The foetus
has been a parasite of the mother for all its nutritional needs
up to the first trimester (three months).
In the second and third trimester an additional 300-calories/per
day is recommended.
What should I eat?
| Eat
when you are hungry. Take small frequent meals. |
| Eat high-quality
protein, complex carbohydrates, and lots of fruits and vegetables. |
| Avoid
eating at fast food restaurants. |
| Carry
quality snack foods with you. |
| Try
to avoid processed food and foods that come pre-prepared in
packages (they usually have added fat, sugar or salt.) |
| Arm
your cupboard and refrigerator with healthy staple foods, which
require little preparation – cheese, fresh wholegrain breads,
cereals, milk, etc…. |
| To
be on the safe side, it is better not to drink alcohol at all
during pregnancy. When you drink alcohol
is transported from the mother’s blood to that of the foetus.
|
| Avoid
smoking during pregnancy.
Even passive smoking (smoking by partners/close ones) is also
harmful to the baby. |
| Avoid
self-medication. |
If
you are in any of the following categories mentioned below,
your diet should be carefully evaluated and recommended by your
clinician and a trained dietician.
-
Diabetes
prior to pregnancy.
- Diabetes
- Weight above 200 pounds / 100 kg .
- Weight below the average for your height (that means if
you are underweight).
- Women with histories of anorexia and / or bulimia.
- Women with digestive system disorders.
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