Healthy Eating During PregnancyWhat To Eat When PregnantPregnant women need more foods rich in vitamins because they are eating for two now. So in that respect, it is vital that mom is eating nutritious healthy foods that will keep both her and the growing baby healthy.
Healthy Eating During Pregnancy: Broccoli and NutsEating more protein and calcium rich foods are important for pregnant women. But meat and dairy are not the only foods that are loaded with protein and calcium. Nuts are especially valuable protein foods as is peanut butter. Both of which make great in-between-meal snacks.Eggs, beef, chicken, turkey and even fish also provide excellent amounts of protein. Even a vegetarian can have a healthy baby because protein and calcium are found in so many of our food sources. Sesame seeds are packed with calcium. Did you know that broccoli has twice the amount of Vitamin-C than an orange? And here is another useful tidbit of news; a serving of broccoli has just as much calcium as a glass of whole milk! And the calcium in broccoli is more absorbable than the calcium from milk. Eat broccoli raw or lightly steamed. Boiling this precious vegetable will destroy its nutritional value. Other great sources for calcium are cottage cheese and yogurt, both of which also have good amounts of protein.
Healthy Eating During Pregnancy: Eat Your VegetablesSome great foods during pregnancy to eat are a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day to ensure both mom and baby are receiving a balanced diet. Even before the baby is born, he or she needs essential vitamins and trace minerals to help in growth while in the womb.Folic acid, magnesium, zinc, manganese, potassium, and thiamine, just to name a few, are vital to a baby’s growth process while in the womb. Whole grains and vegetables are where you will find these trace minerals. Eating at least four or five different colors of fruits and vegetables a day, it is assumed will provide a balance of important nutrients for the body. As an example, if you eat a red apple with breakfast, an orange for snack, purple cabbage slaw with lunch, green salad with dinner, and a green apple before bed, you are definitely getting your nutrition. In one day that is five servings of red, orange, purple, and green. Now you try and mix and match some fruits and vegetables and see what pretty rainbow of colors you can eat in one day. Be sure to eat some type of whole grain like rice, or whole grain pasta with those vegetables. And don’t forget about the importance of beans and legumes. All beans and legumes are excellent for a pregnant woman to eat. Don't worry too much about the fats in food you will be eating. Most of the food mentioned above will contain healthy fats, excepting some dairy and meats.
Healthy Eating During Pregnancy: It’s Ok To Give In To Your CravingsIf you have a healthy pregnancy and you’re eating at meal times, you are entitled to splurge once in a while. Its true. Pregnant women do have some odd cravings, but pregnancy cravings are expected. I’ve often wondered if those cravings have anything to do with being insufficient in certain minerals.I believe that giving into our cravings is ok if we have already eaten a substantial, wholesome meal. In other words, we shouldn’t fill up on ice cream and pickles and then neglect healthy eating with our regular meals. First eat your meal and then have some ice cream. Remember that the more weight you put on during pregnancy, the longer it will take to work it off. Just a bit of food for thought. Speaking of cravings, there are a couple of drinks that should be limited if not altogether stopped from being consumed during this time. Caffeine during pregnancy is one of them. Caffeine is a diuretic and can potentially dehydrate the mother, which wouldn't be good for both her and baby. Also too much caffeine may result in a miscarriage. Plus, sodas have too many chemicals and these can pass through the placenta to baby. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the other. Alcohol can cause physical as well as mental birth defects. However, the earlier one is in their pregnancy, the more damage alcohol can produce. Even light drinking may have an effect on the developing baby. The literature you read may be contradicting, but overall, pregnancy and caffeine as well as alcohol should not be mixed.
Healthy Eating During Pregnancy: Caffeine and AlcoholThere are a couple of drinks that should be limited if not altogether stopped from being consumed during this time. Caffeine during pregnancy is one of them. Caffeine is a diuretic and can potentially dehydrate the mother, which wouldn't be good for both her and baby. Also too much caffeine may result in a miscarriage. Plus, sodas have too many chemicals and these can pass through the placenta to baby.Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the other. Alcohol can cause physical as well as mental birth defects. However, the earlier one is in their pregnancy, the more damage alcohol can produce. Even light drinking may have an effect on the developing baby. The literature you read may be contradicting, but overall, pregnancy and caffeine as well as alcohol should not be mixed.
Healthy Eating During Pregnancy: Walking and Light ActivityFor most women, Light activity and walking is perfectly all right to do while pregnant. In fact, they say that the more active a woman is during her pregnancy, the easier delivery will be. This makes sense since staying active will help to keep you fit while pregnant.Light stretching, walking and taking breathing classes will all aid in having an easier childbirth. Of course healthy eating during pregnancy will also be helpful. If you are interested in a natural childbirth, without the use of medications, Lamaze is an excellent class that husband and wife can take together. Mom learns breathing techniques and husband learns to be helpful and supportive during the birthing. See the source below for more information about Lamaze.
Source: http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-lamaze-method-of-childbirth_640.bc
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