Pregnancy nutrition can be very important in the life of both a pregnant Mother and her unborn baby. Both the mother and the fetus deserve maximum care when it comes to nutrition so as to enhance the Mother’s strength to carry the pregnancy and the resources to produce milk and other essential stuffs to be utilized by the fetus. The baby’s health, growth and overall wellbeing is at stake if the you as the Mother fails to take your Pregnancy nutrition serious. Adopting a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet is one of the most important gifts you can offer to your lovely un-born baby.
Calcium
Calcium has always worked to strengthen you bones and teeth. It is not only essential for your baby but also for you. It also enhances the nervous system, circulatory system and it also helps out in weight management during pregnancy. Pregnant Mothers need at most 1,000 – 1300 mg of calcium per day to build the bones and teeth in the fetus and also replace the calcium lost during hair loss, nails, skin, urine and lastly, through feces in the pregnant Mother. The lost calcium in the mother must be replaced, if not, the body collects calcium from the bones to utilize in the production of our hair and nails.
Good Sources Calcium: Diary products, fruit juice, breakfast cereals, Yogurt.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, also referred to as sunshine vitamin because the skin synthesizes the vitamin when responding to the effect of the early morning sun. Its main function in the body is its ability to regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. When not working on that it can be found enhancing our immune system functions. Therefore, it is important in the development of the bones and teeth in a developing fetus and also increases the immune system of both the mother and fetus. Vitamin D is needed about 600 (IU) per day.
Good Sources Of Vitamin D: Salmon fish, fortified milk, orange juice, eggs.
Protein
Protein is termed the builder, it builds up the developing body of the baby and repairs the worn out tissues of the mother. It is most important for your baby’s growth especially during the second and third trimesters. Pregnant mothers need 71 g of protein per day.
Protein is really an important component of different cells in the body. Proteins are needed for the production of enzymes and so many chemicals in the body. It is the building block for the baby’s finger nails, hair and other structures in the body. Unlike others that have being discussed here on this post, the body doesn’t have a reservoir to store excess protein in the body, instead the excess is concerted to urea and excreted through urine.
Good Sources Of Protein: Dried beans, Peanuts, Dairy products, poultry, Meat, fish.
Iron
The body of both the Mother and fetus needs to synthesize hemoglobin which is to transport oxygen round the body via the red blood cells in the blood. The need for Iron increases as the pregnancy matures because the woman’s blood will increase in size to make blood available for both the mother and fetus. Iron In the body is needed 27 mg a day. Low amount of iron in your body, you will be susceptible to infections.
Good sources OF Iron: Cereals, Beans, Vegetables
Vitamin B
Vitamin B in form of folates help prevent birth defects. It helps prevent serious abnormalities of the brain and spine. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate which is found in foods. We need about 800 micro grams of folate or folic acid per day through out your days of pregnancy.
Good Sources of Vitamin B: Fortified cereals, Leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, peas and dried beans, Asparagus.
In addition to your pregnancy nutrition, try and include prescribed food supplements to your diet. Prescribed, in the sense that, your Doctor must be aware that you are using it.
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