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.
|
