While binge eating, midnight cravings, and untimely snacking are common among pregnant women, you shouldn’t ignore the health standards completely out of joy. Balanced nutrition before, during, and post-pregnancy is vital to ensure both the baby’s and the mother’s health. To make the process easier for you, we will discuss the major dietetics advice for pregnant women in this article including the dos and don’ts.
The Role of Dietetics for Pregnant Women & Healthy Deliveries
The entire pregnancy cycle is itself a magical time. Following a healthy lifestyle throughout the process is the key to a healthy mom and baby. Eating a balanced diet is among the most important steps such as medications, regular checkups, and complete care. A mom-to-be should maintain the right weight; practice regular physical activity; take supplements if required or suggested by her physician; and avoid tobacco, alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances.
But is that it? There’s more to dietetics for pregnant women than the common tips we all know. Take a look:
Dietetics Tips For Pregnant Women: What To Eat & Drink
Expecting mothers need a decent combination of foods and liquids to stay in their best health. A healthy eating plan can provide them with enough nutrients for a successful pregnancy. Besides choosing the right food, safe food practices are also critical. Why? Since pregnant women are more prone to food poisoning than regular people.
Fluid Tips During Pregnancy
Proper intake of fluids is necessary for balanced pregnancy nutrition. For this, moms-to-be should:
● Drink enough water per day for hydration.
● Drink fresh juices and mild soups.
● Restrict caffeine intake or use of artificial sweeteners (after recommended by the physician).
● Avoid alcohol or intoxicating beverages.
Food Tips During Pregnancy
Maintain A Healthy Weight: Maternity experts suggest pregnant women maintain a healthy weight before conceiving. Ask your physician for gestational weight gain guidelines for more details.
Sufficient Energy Source: Once the correct weight is achieved, moms-to-be need approximately 340-450 extra calories per day from nutrient-rich choices in the 2nd & 3rd trimesters. Note that these needs may vary for pregnant women with an overweight or obese pre-pregnancy weight.
Iron, Iodine, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, & Choline: Iron is the foundation of fetal development. Heme iron (animal-based) gets readily absorbed as compared to non-heme iron (plant-based). Iodine is essential for a baby’s neurocognitive development during pregnancy. While vitamin C can support and boost the absorption of non-heme iron.
Furthermore, expecting women should take a supplement of 400-800 mcg of folic acid a day. This helps avoid the risk of defective neural tubes beginning around one month before conception. At last, choline-rich products such as dairy and protein food groups (eggs, peas, meat, lentils, seafood, and beans) are important too.
Dietetics Advice For Pregnant Women – Foods & Drinks To Avoid
Pregnant women or women who are planning to conceive should avoid:
● Alcohol consumption.
● Tobacco consumption.
● Drinking unpasteurized milk.
● Unpasteurized juices.
● Hot dogs and luncheon meats.
● Raw or uncooked seafood and animal-based foods.
● Refrigerated pâté and meat spread.
● Raw (uncooked) or rare (undercooked) fish or shellfish, like sushi or raw oysters
● Soft cheeses such as goat cheese, Brie, and feta if they are made from unpasteurized milk
● Raw eggs, meats, and poultry.
● Excessive caffeine intake.
● Prepared or canned salads including chicken salad, ham salad, and seafood salad.
These are the most important and common dietary advice for pregnant women to help them achieve a healthy pregnancy. If you reside in Bangalore, you can consult experts at Kinder Hospitals for more guidance and extended support. The staff is friendly, caring, and dedicated to making pregnancies successful and a happy experience for everyone involved.
