what nutrients do you need during pregnancy
The fetus’s ability to obtain nutrition from the mother is remarkable. Here are the nutrients that are most important during pregnancy.
- Most of the extra calories you eat should come from increased protein (milk, meat, fish, poultry), the basic building blocks of fetal development.
- Carbohydrates, such as bread, potatoes, and cereals, also provide energy for the developing fetus. Restricting carbohydrates forces your body to rely on other sources of energy, such as fats. Too heavy a reliance on fats produces chemical by-products known as ketones, which alter your mood and are potentially harmful to both mother and fetus.
- Fats (butter, cheese, meat, whole milk) are also required for fetal development. They aid in the absorption of important vitamins.
- The requirements for vitamins A and C increase considerably during pregnancy, but an ordinary diet that includes fruits and vegetables will usually supply all your nutritional needs. Many doctors rely on vitamin supplements if they are uncertain of a woman’s diet.
- Unlike regular vitamin supplements, prenatal vitamins provide more folic acid, a B vitamin found in milk and green vegetables. Folic acid is needed for the creation of blood. Adequate folic acid also reduces the risk of “neural tube defects,” birth defects that result in problems with the infant’s spinal cord. Therefore, taking supplemental folic acid six weeks before pregnancy and through- out the first several weeks of pregnancy is important for all women.
- The body requirement for calcium, important for maintaining sound bones and preventing muscle spasms, also increases considerably. Calcium is best supplemented with milk, cheese, or eggs. Broccoli and oranges are also rich in calcium, as are “bony” foods such as canned sardines.
- More iron is required for blood building. Foods rich in iron include meats, cereals, and many vegetables, such as peas, spinach, lima beans, and lentils.
If a necessary nutrient is in short supply, the fetus will receive more of what is available. Improper nutrition first harms the mother, then the fetus.So next time chilren care blog will talk about improper nutrition
[...] fetus’s ability to obtain nutrition from the mother is remarkable. If a necessary nutrient is in short supply, the fetus will receive more of what is [...]