Diet During Pregnancy And Post Pregnancy Diet

What healthy diet should be taken during my initial stage of pregnancy? Until how many months can that be followed?

Pregnancy is a very special moment in every woman’s life. However, if you do not take care of your health during this period, it may lead to several problems during the pregnancy. An unbalanced diet can adversely affect your own as well as your baby’s health.

Energy requirements increase during pregnancy. It is recommended that women who are pregnant increase their daily food intake by 100 calories in the first trimester and 300 calories in the subsequent two trimesters. You have to incorporate these additional energy levels at suitable timings. For example, you could have milk and biscuits before bed.

Proper Diet For Pregnancy

Vitamins are also an essential part of your body, and you must fulfill the vitamin requirements of the body by eating multivitamin supplements. Iron is important to maintain adequate levels of blood supply to the baby. Many women’s bodies do not contain the requisite iron content. Therefore, iron supplements are often recommended in your dietary plan. You can also eat more foods which are rich in iron such as fish, poultry, and dried fruits to fulfill your body’s deficiency.

Folic acid is necessary to support the increasing maternal blood volume. Folic acid also helps to reduce the risk of certain defects in the baby. Women are advised to take daily folic acid supplements in the first three months of pregnancy. The baby in the womb gets the calcium required for healthy bones and teeth from the mother. It is recommended to include calcium and vitamin D in a pregnant woman’s diet.

Foods To Avoid

During pregnancy, caffeine intake should be limited to a maximum of two to three cups a day. Some doctors even suggest that you should say no to caffeine altogether. In sea food, avoid high mercury fish such as shark, king mackerel, and swordfish. Do not eat fish more than twice a week.

There may also be certain kinds of foods that you are allergic to. These should be avoided or else the chances are that the baby will also get those allergies from the mother. Cutting down or quitting alcoholic drinks during pregnancy is highly recommended. Excess of alcohol can cause physical defects, learning problems, and emotional disturbances to the child. For those who can’t quit alcohol, have no more than one or two drinks, once or twice a week.

Pregnant women develop cravings for food. Always remember that your health and your baby’s health are most important. Control your cravings and live on a well balanced diet.