Nutrients and Vitamins for Pregnancy
Nutrients and Vitamins for Pregnancy
False
Many things change when you're pregnant -- including your body's nutritional needs. The food you eat during pregnancy doesn't just fuel your own body, it also helps your growing baby to develop.
Your body -- and your baby's body -- requires more energy when you're pregnant, so you should be taking in between 300 to 500 calories more every day than usual by the second and third part of pregnancy.
Make those extra calories count! Because what you eat and drink provides the majority of your baby's nourishment, you should strive for the healthiest diet possible.
Some key nutrients you need and how to get them:
A balanced, healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables is the best way for you and your growing baby to get these and other important nutrients. But many pregnant women also take a supplemental prenatal vitamin to make sure they're not missing out on anything important. Consult with your doctor before starting a prenatal vitamin.
WebMD Medical Reference
View Article Source
SOURCES:
KidsHealth: "Eating During Pregnancy."
Medscape: "Prenatal Nutrition."
KidsHealth: "Folic Acid and Pregnancy."
UpToDate: "Nutrition in Pregnancy, 2011."
Reviewed by David Kiefer, MD on November 14, 2013
Next Tip:
Skip to Article Content- Read More Quick Tips
- Body Fat and Your BMI Number Get the facts on body fat and your BMI number.
- When You're Eating for 2 Pregnant? Key nutrients for you and your growing baby.
- Healthy Calories for an Active Body Get moving! Everyday activities and the calories you'll burn.
- The My Plate Guide to Healthy Eating Eat up! Healthy family food tips from the MyPlate guide.
- Cut Your Calories with Tasty Treats Snack attack? Cut your calories with these tasty substitute treats.
- Cholesterol and Your Heart What should your cholesterol number be? Learn more here.
- Fiber Health for Seniors Got fiber? How seniors can get more healthy fiber foods into their diet.
- The Calcium Link to Healthier Bones How calcium and vitamin D can help you get stronger, healthier bones.
- Maintain Your Muscles for Life Get toned muscles at any age. How to keep your muscles in tip-top shape.
- Lactose Intolerant? Try These Calcium Sources How to get beneficial calcium in your diet even if you're lactose intolerant.
- Beauty and the Eats: Nutrition for Inner Health and Outer Beauty Eat good to look good! How the foods you eat can improve hair, skin and nails.
- Health Benefits of Antioxidants Let the power of antioxidants help boost your immune system and fight aging.
- Get a Healthy Breakfast On-the-Go Seize the day! Beat the morning rush with these quick and healthy breakfasts.
- Health Benefits of Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods Aid digestion and fortify your immune system with probiotic and prebiotic foods.
- Nutrition Myths and Facts True or false? WebMD helps you separate food facts from food fiction.
- Which Vegetarian Diet is Right for You? There's more than one way to go veggie. Choose the best vegetarian diet for you.
False
Eating for Two
Many things change when you're pregnant -- including your body's nutritional needs. The food you eat during pregnancy doesn't just fuel your own body, it also helps your growing baby to develop.
Your body -- and your baby's body -- requires more energy when you're pregnant, so you should be taking in between 300 to 500 calories more every day than usual by the second and third part of pregnancy.
Make those extra calories count! Because what you eat and drink provides the majority of your baby's nourishment, you should strive for the healthiest diet possible.
Some key nutrients you need and how to get them:
- Protein: About 1 gram per kilogram of body weight per day should be proteins, which helps with cell development and blood production. Among the healthiest sources of protein are lean meats and poultry, fish, beans (like lima, kidney, and black beans), and egg whites.
- Folic acid or folate: This B vitamin is critical to help prevent neural tube defects, which are problems with the development of the brain and spinal cord. Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and cabbage are great sources of folate. Also, look for orange juices and cereals fortified with extra folate. Women of childbearing age should take folic acid as a supplement at least one month prior to any pregnancy and for at least the first three months of pregnancy. The recommended intake is 0.6 mg per day.
- Calcium: Your growing baby needs calcium to form strong bones -- and you may lose some of your own bone strength if you're not taking in enough. In addition to dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese, broccoli, and spinach are also good calcium sources, as are fortified cereals. It's especially important to assure adequate calcium intake during the last part of pregnancy when the baby's bones are developing and mineralizing. The recommended intake is 1,000 mg per day during pregnancy. Remember calcium is better absorbed along with vitamin D.
- Iron: Many pregnant women develop anemia -- a deficiency in red blood cells that can leave you tired and draggy. Good sources of iron include lean meats and, again, those dark green leafy veggies. The recommended intake during pregnancy is about 30 grams per day, which is contained in most prenatal vitamins.
A balanced, healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables is the best way for you and your growing baby to get these and other important nutrients. But many pregnant women also take a supplemental prenatal vitamin to make sure they're not missing out on anything important. Consult with your doctor before starting a prenatal vitamin.
WebMD Medical Reference
View Article Source
SOURCES:
KidsHealth: "Eating During Pregnancy."
Medscape: "Prenatal Nutrition."
KidsHealth: "Folic Acid and Pregnancy."
UpToDate: "Nutrition in Pregnancy, 2011."
Reviewed by David Kiefer, MD on November 14, 2013
