Don’t Ignore These Tips On What To Eat While Pregnant
Olivia on Nov 17 2008 at 8:38 pm | Filed under: Pregnancy
What a great surprise, you just found out you are pregnant.Eating the right foods is more important than ever now that you are pregnant.If you want to decrease the chances of complication during and after your pregnancy, then you need to eat the right foods. Learning what to eat during pregnancy has never been easier than it is now.
First, remember that once you hit the second trimester, good nutrition during pregnancy requires that you eat about 300 more calories a day.Be sure you get enough calories, as you and your baby need the energy. Now these extra calories should not give you the right to chow down on every food in your line of site.You will only be getting 300 calories. A glass of milk or one banana equals 100 calories and a slice of whole wheat bread, and ounce of cheese and a half of cup of grapes equal 200 calories.If you eat this way, you will find that the amount of food you eat is actually more than if you just gave in and had that donut with sprinkles you have your eye on.
Remember that you need at least three servings of protein each day.Everyone needs protein, but you need more now that you are eating for two. Protein is very easy to come by and your options are endless.Try something like 3 glasses of milk, 2 cups of yogurt and 3 ounces of cheese.
In addition, you will need at least four servings of calcium daily.Not only will the calcium help your baby’s bones to grow, it will also protect your own.There are lots of tasty foods that supply calcium, such as milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream.
Aim for at least three servings of vitamin C. Your body does not store vitamin C so you need a fresh supply of it every day.There are lots of fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C. You also want to make sure you get three to four servings of green leafy and yellow vegetables and fruits.An added benefit is that these fruits and most vegetables will give you vitamin C.
You should get in one to two servings of all other fruit and vegetables that are not known for their vitamin A and C value, but are still good for you all the same.You might consider bananas, apples and onions for foods in this category.You need to get 6 or more servings of grains and legumes daily.These foods are loaded with vitamins B and E, and they can also have fiber that can keep you regular. Try eating brown rice, whole wheat breads and even air popped corn to get your servings of whole grains and legumes in.
Be sure to get enough iron, as it is one of the most important nutrients for you and your developing baby.Iron will become a very important nutrient, since your body will need more when you are pregnant.Keeping up with this is will make a big difference. Not enough iron could lead to anemia so you want to make sure you are getting enough iron.It is also not uncommon for physicians to prescribe iron supplements to pregnant women, just to be sure they are getting enough.
A fit pregnancy gives your baby the best chance for healthy development. And while it is always a good idea to eat well every day, when you are pregnant it is essential that you eat well every day.
