Eating egg
yolks, lean red meat, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts and cruciferous vegetables
during pregnancy helps brain development in baby – Femelife Fertility
Prenatal care, also
known as antenatal care, is a type of preventive healthcare. What a woman eats and drinks during pregnancy
is her baby's main source of nourishment. A diet that lacks key
nutrients may negatively affect the baby’s development. Poor eating habits and
excess weight gain may also increase the risk of gestational diabetes and
pregnancy or birth complications.
Taking probiotic supplements during pregnancy may reduce the
risk of complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, vaginal
infections and allergies.
The foetal brain goes through
several stages of development. During the first trimester, the nerve cells form
which later make the brain. During the second trimester, nerve functions start
to synchronize and differentiate. The sensory organ also begin development, as
do the nerves.
More protein is needed during pregnancy for
a healthy brain development in the baby. When
expectant mothers consume sufficient amounts of the nutrient choline during
pregnancy, their offspring gain enduring cognitive benefits. This can be obtained from
·
Dairy products contain
two types of high quality protein: casein and whey. Dairy is the best dietary
source of calcium, and provides high amounts of phosphorus, various B-vitamins,
magnesium and zinc
·
Yogurt, especially
Greek yogurt, is particularly beneficial for pregnant women.
.
·
Whole
eggs are incredibly nutritious and a great way to increase overall nutrient
intake. They also contain choline, an essential nutrient for brain health and
development
· Eggs
are a great source of protein, a crucial part of pregnancy diet. The amino
acids that make up protein are the building blocks of the cells in the baby.
· Eggs
also contain more than a dozen vitamins and minerals, including Choline
helps baby's brain and spinal cord develop properly, and helps prevent neural
tube defects.
· Salmon contains the essential omega-3 fatty
acids EPA and DHA, which are important for brain and eye development in the
growing baby. Salmon is also a natural source of vitamin D.
· Fish liver oil – Fish provides key nutrients that are two
omega-3 fatty acids – DHA and EPA which are difficult to find in other foods.
Fish is also low in saturated fat and high in protein, vitamin D, and other
nutrients that are crucial for a developing baby and a healthy pregnancy. It
is not recommended to
consume more than one serving (one tablespoon) per day, because too much
preformed vitamin A can be dangerous for the foetus. High levels of omega-3 may
also have blood-thinning effects.
·
Fish with high
levels of mercury: Seafood such as swordfish,
shark, king mackerel, marlin and tilefish are high in levels of methyl mercury,
according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and should be avoided
during pregnancy. Methyl mercury is a toxic chemical that can pass through the
placenta and can be harmful to an unborn baby's developing brain, kidneys and
nervous system.
A mother can pass a Toxoplasma
infection on to her baby, which can cause problems such as blindness and mental
disability later in life. To prevent toxoplasmosis, the USDA recommends
avoiding the following foods during pregnancy:
· Rare, raw or undercooked meats and poultry.
· Raw and undercooked shellfish, such as clams, mussels, oysters
and scallops.
Some foods may increase a
pregnant woman's risk for other types of food poisoning, including illness
caused by salmonella and E. coli bacteria.
Foodsafety.gov lists these foods to avoid during pregnancy, and why they pose a
threat:
· Raw or undercooked eggs, such as soft-cooked, runny or poached
eggs.
· Foods containing undercooked eggs, such as raw cookie dough or
cake batter, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, homemade ice cream.
Red meats
are often avoided for their high saturated fat content,
and liver is not commonly eaten.
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