Want To Know The Foods To Eat When Pregnant?

By: Roger Noonan Click author's name for more of his/her articles

As an expectant mother, it's completely natural that you will want to do everything you can to ensure a healthy baby. What's good to know is that with a little research on the right foods to eat when pregnant, and by applying what you learn, you are already taking a significant step in the right direction. Eating the right foods that will give your developing fetus all the essentials vitamins and minerals that he needs gives him a wonderful chance of developing normally and to full term. Conversely, consuming the wrong types of food, which is easily done, means that your baby has an increased possibility of developing birth defects such as spina bifida and other disabilities, as well as low birth weight, miscarriage, premature birth, and mortality.

Every day, a pregnant woman needs to have a high quality diet that roughly translates to 80 - 100 grams of protein, lots of fluids, a little salt, and calories sourced from a variety of natural wholesome food sources. A pregnant woman needs to increase her daily calorific intake by at least 300 calories. The right foods to eat when pregnant will need to contain the correct blend of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids and folate. A good pregnancy diet will most likely be supplemented by prenatal vitamins that will be prescribed by your doctor. These prenatal vitamins are to be taken as part of a healthy pregnancy diet, and not as a substitute for one.

Some of the essential foods to eat when pregnant are as follows:

Fluids: As your bodily fluids increase during pregnancy, so does your daily requirement. Adequate fluid intake is essential to keep both mother and child hydrated which ensures that relevant toxins are removed as required. Staying hydrated also helps in the avoidance of early labour, promotes healthier skin for the mother and reduces the possibility of urinary tract infections, constipation and haemorrhoids. Fluids can be sourced from filtered water, fruit and vegetable juices, soups, caffeine-free and sugar-free drinks. However, filtered water is best.

Proteins are an essential part of any pregnancy diet. Proteins are the building blocks for a new body as they promote healthy cell wall development. Proteins can be sourced from many food sources, including eggs, pasteurised milk, cheeses, yogurts, poultry, beef, pork, fish, beans and nuts. The dairy products mentioned here are also excellent sources of calcium, which is essential for the fetal development of healthy teeth and bones. It's important to note here that the body cannot store large amounts of protein or calcium, so it's important that your daily diet contains adequate amounts. Red meats, dark poultry, fish and eggs are also excellent sources of iron, which is essential for haemoglobin production, which the mother needs to generate more blood for the developing fetus.

Other foods to eat when pregnant include dark green leafy vegetables, spinach, broccoli, oranges and strawberries. These foods are excellent sources of folic acid, which is necessary for neural tube and brain development. Seafood such as canned light tuna, catfish, cod, pollack, salmon and shrimp are all excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential for the development of the baby's verbal skills and behaviour patterns.

A good knowledge of the foods to eat when pregnant for the pregnant mother will ensure that she is giving her baby an excellent chance of developing into a healthy human being.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

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