DIET TIPS DURING PREGNANCY

The fact that a woman is pregnant is perhaps the happiest moment for her, as motherhood is the most wanted aspect of womanhood.Good nutrition during pregnancy, and enough of it, is very important for your baby to grow and develop. You should consume about 300 more calories per day than you did before you became pregnant.

Although nausea and vomiting during the first few months of pregnancy can make this difficult, try to eat a well balanced diet and take prenatal vitamins. Here are some recommendations to keep you and your baby healthy.

Diet for Pregnant Women

-When you are pregnant, your diet should include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and organic foods. However, your body and developing baby are much more vulnerable to bacteria and other contaminants during pregnancy. As a result, there are certain foods that you will be advised to either avoid completely or limit during your pregnancy.

-Here is a partial list of items that may be risky to include in a diet for pregnant women:
>raw eggs, this may include certain dressings or sauces;
>unpasteurized milk and cheese, this may include certain soft cheeses;
>raw or rare fish and meats;
>fish that tend to have high mercury levels;
>caffeine and alcohol;
>unwashed vegetables; etc
>Unwashed vegetables are very bad because of the pesticides and bacteria that they may carry. Caffeine in moderation may be acceptable but make sure you obtain specific details regarding the quantity that is advised. Your doctor and a pregnancy nutritional guide should be consulted to develop a complete list for you to follow.
-Proper specialized nutrition can also make you feel better and provide additional energy during pregnancy which is critical because of the added stress that is being placed on your body. You will need to make sacrifices, but it will pay off in the long run for you and your baby. When you see your healthy beautiful baby for the first time, you will know that it was all worth it!

-Eat foods that remember where they came from! The closer to the source of the original food the better. For examples: green beans that are fresh contain more of the good stuff than those in a can; bananas are better than fried banana chips or a banana split!

-Choose foods high in fiber that are enriched such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables.

-Eat and drink at least four servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day to help ensure that you are getting 1000-1300 mg of calcium in your daily diet during pregnancy.

-During pregnancy it is important to avoid food-borne illnesses which can be found in the following foods.