Best Nutrition in Pregnancy you will need in your pregnancy journey. Pregnancy is a gift of trust. It is a woman partnering in creation. The health of your baby begins (even) before pregnancy. This is because healthy eating does the magic. Even before conception , it is advised that a lady begins folic acid intake of 400mcg everyday. Folic acid is most beneficial in the first 28 days of conception, but most women don’t realise they are pregnant by then. Folic acid reduces incidence of neural tube defects( birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord) which occurs in the first month of pregnancy before a woman even knows she’s pregnant.
Eating right in pregnancy is a foundation to birthing a healthy baby and that is why you will need to practice best Nutrition in pregnancy.
Pregnancy has its own challenges, a woman may begin to crave for non nutritional food substances, the urge is usually strong for some women while in others it could be passive. I had a preggy (pregnant) friend who loved chewing “chewing stick” like it was food, soon I discovered she use to swallow it after chewing .
Sometimes this disorders could be due to a nutritional deficiency or pregnancy hormones but it’s wise to report to your medical team in the hospital. During pregnancy the body requires approximately 300 extra calories to maintain healthy pregnancy. Eating healthy is right because in pregnancy you are eating for two or more persons. The placenta ensures that the baby/babies get enough supply of nutrients which is from you.
You need the protein, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, vitamin A etc. Protein is for cell growth . Protein could be gotten from beans, fish, poultry. Beans is not just protein, it has magnesium, folic acid, tempmail iron, potassium and essential fatty oil.Beans helps in relieving constipation in pregnancy.
There is a misconception about eating beans. It is believed that it causes a woman to birth a big baby.Birthing a big baby is often due to diabetes ObesityHereditary (a history of big babies in the family)In pregnancy a balance is important, so that mother and child don’t lack anything. Carbohydrates helps in energy production. It is available in rice, cereals, bread. Calcium is for strong bones and teeth, Temp mail and aids in nerve functions. It is available in milk, yoghurt, sardines, bones.
Iron is for red blood cell production. It’s available in Beans, cashew, spinach. Vitamin A is for good eye sight, and growing bones. It’s available in carrot, dark leafy vegetables.Vitamin C is for iron absorption, wound healing, healthy gums and teeth. Available in , tomatoes, citrus fruits. Vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth.
Helps in absorption of calcium. Available in cereals Folic acid for effective enzymes function, blood and protein production .Available in beans, citrus fruits and green vegetables.
This article is written by Emmanuella Inah. Midwife and Nurse
