What To Eat When Pregnant Does Not Need to Be Complicated
Understanding what to eat when pregnant, may appear complicated, but, it really doesn't need to.
If your normal pre-pregnancy diet is not very healthy or not very balanced to begin with, you'll have to re-educate yourself and break any bad or harmful eating habits.
Now that you are "eating for two" you only need an extra 300 calories a day to gain an adequate amount of weight (generally 25 to 35 pounds).
The foods that you eat should provide plenty of these necessary nutrients, calcium, iron, protein and fatty acids.
So if you are already eating a balanced diet just eat a little bit more.
It's very important to have a healthy diet when you are pregnant.
The normal development and health of your baby depends on it.
Your baby takes what it needs to grow from your body, regardless of what you eat or how much weight you gain.
So if the food you eat does not supply sufficient nutrients to keep your body's stores stocked up, this will negatively affect your health and ultimately your baby as well.
Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy (especially in the case of eating disorders) can result in a fetus with a low birth-weight, growth retardation and vitamin deficiencies, which can lead to more severe conditions.
Eat only healthy, natural, organic pregnancy foods like lean beef, beans, poultry, legumes, fruits, raw nuts, whole eggs and vegetables.
Basic Pregnancy Diet Plan (daily) Dairy products (4 servings)- a source of calcium, phosphorous, riboflavin and protein.
milk, cheese, low-fat yogurt.
Meat products (6 to 8 ounces) - provide protein and nutrients especially important during the last trimester.
fish, poultry or lean meat - or substitutes, such as dried beans or peanut butter.
Grains and starchy vegetables (6 to 8 servings) - Choose nutritionally dense foods (whole grains, whole-grain crackers or cereals, brown rice, baked potatoes) rather than those made with refined flours and sugar.
Other vegetables - Select those that are dark green and leafy, and some that are deep yellow (carrots, tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes).
Fresh is best; eat some cooked, some raw.
Fruit (2 to 3 servings) - Choose fresh whole fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, fruit in season).
Fat - Some fat in your diet is necessary to aid the absorption of essential nutrients and calcium.
Sources should be margarine, oils, salad dressings and nuts rather than rich desserts, fried foods and snack foods.
Vitamins and minerals - Because it is difficult to get all the iron you need from food alone, your doctor may prescribe a vitamin and mineral supplement.
Drink plenty of water - Water helps to maintain your amniotic fluid levels and your blood volume.
Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.
This will help you stay fit and give your baby a healthy start in life.
You should also be aware of foods to avoid during pregnancy, because some foods or food preparations can be very harmful during pregnancy.
If your normal pre-pregnancy diet is not very healthy or not very balanced to begin with, you'll have to re-educate yourself and break any bad or harmful eating habits.
Now that you are "eating for two" you only need an extra 300 calories a day to gain an adequate amount of weight (generally 25 to 35 pounds).
The foods that you eat should provide plenty of these necessary nutrients, calcium, iron, protein and fatty acids.
So if you are already eating a balanced diet just eat a little bit more.
It's very important to have a healthy diet when you are pregnant.
The normal development and health of your baby depends on it.
Your baby takes what it needs to grow from your body, regardless of what you eat or how much weight you gain.
So if the food you eat does not supply sufficient nutrients to keep your body's stores stocked up, this will negatively affect your health and ultimately your baby as well.
Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy (especially in the case of eating disorders) can result in a fetus with a low birth-weight, growth retardation and vitamin deficiencies, which can lead to more severe conditions.
Eat only healthy, natural, organic pregnancy foods like lean beef, beans, poultry, legumes, fruits, raw nuts, whole eggs and vegetables.
Basic Pregnancy Diet Plan (daily) Dairy products (4 servings)- a source of calcium, phosphorous, riboflavin and protein.
milk, cheese, low-fat yogurt.
Meat products (6 to 8 ounces) - provide protein and nutrients especially important during the last trimester.
fish, poultry or lean meat - or substitutes, such as dried beans or peanut butter.
Grains and starchy vegetables (6 to 8 servings) - Choose nutritionally dense foods (whole grains, whole-grain crackers or cereals, brown rice, baked potatoes) rather than those made with refined flours and sugar.
Other vegetables - Select those that are dark green and leafy, and some that are deep yellow (carrots, tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes).
Fresh is best; eat some cooked, some raw.
Fruit (2 to 3 servings) - Choose fresh whole fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, fruit in season).
Fat - Some fat in your diet is necessary to aid the absorption of essential nutrients and calcium.
Sources should be margarine, oils, salad dressings and nuts rather than rich desserts, fried foods and snack foods.
Vitamins and minerals - Because it is difficult to get all the iron you need from food alone, your doctor may prescribe a vitamin and mineral supplement.
Drink plenty of water - Water helps to maintain your amniotic fluid levels and your blood volume.
Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.
This will help you stay fit and give your baby a healthy start in life.
You should also be aware of foods to avoid during pregnancy, because some foods or food preparations can be very harmful during pregnancy.
