What
to eat & what not to eat?
Sure, what you eat during pregnancy is
vital, but that doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of everything you put in
your mouth or force yourself to eat foods you don’t like. Simply stick to these
10 basic do’s and don’ts.
1.
Do load up on Folate, Calcium,
Iron, Zinc and Fibre
Before conception and in
the first six weeks of pregnancy, no nutrient is more vital than folate (the
synthetic form is folic acid). This B vitamin can reduce the risk of
neural-tube defects, such as spina bifida, by a whopping 70 percent.
You can get your daily
minimum of 400 micrograms (600 micrograms is recommended in the first
trimester) from beans and legumes, citrus fruits and juices, whole grains, dark
green leafy vegetables, poultry, fish and shellfish but folate from foods is
not as well absorbed as folic acid supplement for insurance.
Your daily dose of calcium
– 1200 miligrams from low fat dairy products, dark green vegetables and
fortified orange juice and soy products – plays a key role during the second
and third trimesters, when your baby’s bone and tooth development reaches its
peak. Because the foetus leaches calcium from your body, getting enough of this
mineral can protect your own bones too.
Iron, important for
supporting your 50 percent increase in blood volume, is crucial in the third
trimester. Aim for 30 miligrams per day. Iron is difficult to get from the
diet, so take an iron supplement or prenatal vitamin with iron. To boost iron
absorption, combine iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources.
Your zinc requirement
increases by 50 percent to 15 milligrams per day when you’re pregnant. Zinc
deficiencies have been linked with birth defects, restricted foetal growth and
premature delivery. Although nuts, whole grains and legumes are good sources,
the mineral is best absorbed from seafood.
Fibre (found in fruits,
vegetables and whole grains) is particularly essential for your own health. It
helps prevent reduce constipation, a common pregnancy complaint that can lead
to haemorrhoids, and it makes you feel fuller longer; aim for 25 milligrams to
35 milligrams day.
2.
Do eat a rainbow of foods
Not only does a varied
diet provide you and your baby with all the important nutrients, but an
eclectic mix also introduces your little one to new tastes via amniotic fluid.
Of course, if bananas and saltines are the only foods you can stomach in the
first trimester, don’t stress about it. But as soon as you start feeling
better, aim for more variety. Deep-hued fruits and vegetables, such as
blueberries, carrots and spinach, tend to be rishest in antioxidants.
3.
Do limit your exposure to
pesticides by choosing organic & locally grown foods when possible
The developing immunes
system is so much more sensitive than adult’s. other research has connected
pesticides in the water supply to premature births and possible birth defects.
There are evidence that nitrates (chemical used in fertilizer) and pesticides
have the ability in very small doses to interact with the hormonal milieu of
the pregnancy. Washing your produce helps, but may not be enough.
The types of produce
harbouring the highest pesticide concentrations tend to be fruits and
vegetables with skins, such as peaches, apples and strawberries.
4.
Do get your Omega-3 fatty
acids
A diet rich in omega-3s
can boost your baby’s brain and neurological development before birth, likely
leading to better vision, memory and language comprehension in early childhood.
It also may reduce your risk of postpartum depression. Flaxseed oil, walnuts
and omega-3-fortified eggs are good sources of ALA, one of the three omega-3
fats, but fatty fish are the only reliable sources of the two more important
omega-3s, EPA and DHA. It is recommended that pregnant and nursing women get at
least 300 milligrams of DHA in their daily diet.
The trick is to choose
fish that are high in omega-3s but low in mercury, which can harm a foetus’
nervous system. Varieties to avoid include swordfish, shark, king mackerel,
tilefish, and some experts say, tuna, though canned light tuna is safer than
albacore. Top picks include wild Alaskan salmon (fresh, frozen or canned),
Atlantic mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies. Fish oil supplements are
also safe.
5.
Do choose “Double Duty”
foods
Nutrient-dense foods such
as yoghurt, peanut butter, chicken, beef, eggs and dairy products, are those
that are higher in protein, calcium and iron, all nutrients your baby needs to
grow and develop properly. Some other nutrient-dense foods: 1) beef contains
protein, along with B vitamins, Iron and zinc; 2) Orange juice offers folate
plus vitamin C which helps you absorb iron from foods such as fibre-rich black
beans and spinach; 3) whole grains are filled with fibre, B vitamins, magnesium
and zinc.
1.
Don’t “eat for two”
Half of all women gain too much weight
during pregnancy, according to studies; that’s up from 37 percent in 1993.
Research suggests that when mums-to-be gain excess weight, the babies have a
higher risk of obesity later in life. Plus, the mothers tend to retain extra
poundage after giving birth. It’s crucial to base your pregnancy weight-gain
goal on your height and pre-pregnancy weight. If you’re expecting twins and
your pre-pregnancy body-mass index (BMI) was normal (18.5 to 24.9), expects now
recommend gaining 37 to 54 pounds: 20 to 30 pounds by 20 weeks; 30 to 46 pounds
by 28 weeks; and the rest in the last trimester.
If you’re carrying a single baby, you
need approximately 340 extra calories per day in the second trimester and 450
extra in the third trimester. Doctors disagree on whether you need more calories
in the first trimester – if you’re overweight, you likely don’t. But rather
than count calories, simply eat until you feel satisfied, and not more. If you
have a problem with portion control, seek the guidance of a registered
dietitian.
2.
Don’t overdose on refined
carbs
White bread, white rice, sweets and
soft drinks rush into your bloodstream, spiking your blood glucose levels.
These spikes may result in fatter newborns, who are at greater risk of being
overweight as they grow up. If you consume the same numbe of calories but just
change what you eat, your baby may have less body fat at birth and a lower risk
of future obesity. Limit the white stuff and choose unrefined grains such as
oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat tortillas and bread.
3.
Don’t overlook food safety
To protect yourself and your baby from
harmful bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella and Listeria, don’t eat raw or
undercooked meat, poultry, seafood or eggs and don’t eat leftover food that has
been sitting out for more than two hours. Also stick a thermometer in your
refrigerator to make sure the temperature is below 40 degrees, cold enough to
stop bacteria from growing. Heat deli meats until steaming hot.
With Brie, blue cheese and other soft
cheeses, check the label to make sure they are made with pasteurized milk;
unpasteurized soft cheese can harbor Listeria, which can lead to premature
delivery, miscarriage or stillbirth. If there’s no label, don’t take the
chance.
Stay away from sushi made with raw
fish, but you’re welcome to enjoy California rolls containing imitation
crabmeat or sushi made with cooked unagi (eel).
4.
Don’t go more than two to three hours without eating
Grazing not only pumps a steady stream
of nutrients to your baby, it also keeps your blood sugar levels steady so you
don’t “crash” or become lightheaded. If you don’t fill the tank frequently, you
can bottom out. Smaller meals also minimize heartburn, a common and painful
problem as pregnancy progresses and your stomach gets squeezed.
5.
Don’t forget to drink at least 12 (8-ounce) glasses of fluid a day
It’s hard to stay hydrate when you’re
pregnant because a lot of the fluid you drink leaks from your blood vessels
into your tissues. Yet hydration is essential for preventing preterm labour;
when you’re short on fluids, the body makes a hormone that stimulates
contractions. Staying hydrated also helps prevent headaches, kidney stones,
dizziness and common pregnancy complaints such as constipation and
haemorrhoids. You know you’re well hydrated when your urine is light yellow to
clear.
Buy now for complete pregnancy health
