Nutrition
in pregnancy
A balanced
diet provides all of necessary nutrients in proper proportions for adequate
nutrition, function and development of body. In pregnancy, balanced diet is
essential for growth of the baby and wellbeing of mother. Without goodnutrition mother is more prone to disease, infection and restriction of growth
of foetus.
During the
first three months’ calorie needs of pregnant mothers are basically the same as
they were before pregnancy. However, pregnant women should add 200 calories to
their usual dietary intake during the second trimester, and 300 calories during
their third trimester when the baby is growing quickly.
Baby’s
brain starts forming just three weeks after conception and it undergoes rapid
changes during pregnancy. Majority of brain growth is completed when the baby
is born and later it undergoes few fine changes only. Food containing docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA) is important in pregnancy for helping the brain and central nervous
system mature. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is the leading cause of
preventable mental health.
Foods
to avoid
Avoiding
certain foods in pregnancy is recommended for maternal and foetal well-being.
Pregnancy is a state of lower immunity and pregnant women catch infections
easily. Moreover, not all medications can be used to treat diseases in
pregnancy. Hence it is safer to avoid certain foods in pregnancy which can give
rise to food poisoning or infections. Fish
such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish have high mercury levels
and must be avoided. Smaller fish have less mercury content can be chosen
instead as their longevity in water is short such as fresh water fish.
Similarly, smoked meat or fish should be avoided as they can cause infections.
Raw uncooked eggs or poultry, unpasteurised milk and milk products, raw
sprouts, unwashed fruits or vegetables are not advisable as well. Pregnant
women should carefully avoid excess caffeine, alcohol or tobacco as these could
harm the baby. Artificial sweeteners, sugar rich foods, canned foods and foods
containing nitrates as in frozen meat are better avoided in pregnancy.
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