THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY DIET IN PREGNANCY
You probably already know how important it is to eat a well-balanced diet, but it's even more important when you're pregnant. Keep in mind that you are now eating for two. Whatever you eat, the baby eats too. The baby is actually getting your nutrition, so you need to eat enough for both of you. The healthier you eat, the better for the pregnancy and for you.
Never skip meals when you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your child has probably been waiting for it since they woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long to eat that you start to feel nauseous, your body is telling you to eat. Do it! Make sure you get enough of the food you need each day.
A healthy pregnancy requires 4-6 servings of dairy products a day, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with the calcium it will need to develop healthy growing bones. It wouldn't hurt to add calcium to your diet, especially for your teeth and bones.
Don't forget your portions of fruit and vegetables. Lots of greens are always a good choice, sweet potatoes too. Not only will you give your body what it needs, but you will start to have more energy. Try cutting out sweets for a week and replacing them with healthier items and see how alive you feel. Foods to Avoid Not all foods are safe during pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid:- unpasteurized produce- Brie and other soft cheeses if they are unpasteurized.- Certain fish - exotic, sharks, swordfish, whatever with a potentially high mercury content - Raw eggs - undercooked meat - luncheon meat. If you are buying a deli sandwich, you can ask them to warm up the meat a bit. – Caffeine – soda, chocolate. If you find it difficult, you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in the body, the better for the baby.
If you are ever unsure of what foods you can eat, you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They will be happy to share it with you. You may also learn that your stomach can't handle certain foods it used to. Some of these foods may include foods that contain fat, fast food, meat, and some foods with strong odors.
Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to cut out all the joys in life, but you can indulge once in a while. Go out and have a frozen yogurt or smoothie. Even if you make sure to eat enough during the day, this does not mean neglecting your fluid intake. You will need a lot of water and juices from here. Your child will thank you later. Who knows, you may find that you actually enjoy eating healthier foods and will continue to do so after pregnancy. Healthy food plays a healthy role for both mother and child.
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