Healthy Eating a Must for Pregnant Mothers
Healthy eating during pregnancy is crucial to your baby’s health and well-being. Anything that you consume when pregnant crosses the placenta and affects your child. Because of this, you want to make sure that your diet is balanced and contains all the vitamins and nutrients that your little baby needs to grow. Although you’re “eating for two,” don’t take this phrase too literally. Pregnant women only require an extra 300 calories each day.
Healthy eating during pregnancy is simple, as long as you consume the right nutrients, including:
Calcium ““ This nutrient aids in the development of bones and teeth. You can easily get more calcium in your diet by eating cheese, yogurt, sardines or drinking a glass of milk.
Vitamin D ““ Similar to calcium, vitamin D helps build strong bones and teeth. Simple being in sunlight gives you enough vitamin D, but you can also drink milk to get this nutrient.
Folate ““ Also called folic acid, this nutrient is crucial in the first trimester, since it can help prevent neural tube defects. Your body also needs folate to help produce protein and blood. This nutrient is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, orange juice, and nuts.