Eating for Two - Nutrition During Pregnancy

You can protect your health and your growing baby with a healthy diet. Keep in mind that what and how you eat during pregnancy will affect your child's future health. Pregnancy is a time of "extras": extra tender love and care for you and your new life inside, and extra weight!

In terms of nutrition during pregnancy, you'll need extra calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals. All these foods will give your body the energy and nutritional resources it needs to support the developing fetus.

During pregnancy, the recommended weight gain depends on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Women of normal BMI should aim to gain about 25 lbs to 35 lbs (11.4 kg to 15.9 kg), although this can be more if you are carrying twins or multiples.

Your weight gain during pregnancy likely will not be steady at first: most women typically gain between 1.1 lbs and 4.4 lbs (0.5 kg to 2.0 kg) during the first trimester. A good rate of gain after the first trimester for a woman whose pre-pregnancy BMI is in the normal range is approximately 1 lb (0.4 kg) each week, and you should aim to gain weight slowly but steadily during the last half of your pregnancy.

Whatever your previous weight, now's the time to adopt a sensible approach to eating well. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian about what is an appropriate weight gain during pregnancy for you.

Keep in mind the following tips:

• Your weight before pregnancy will determine what is considered to be a healthy weight gain during pregnancy. While weight gain is normal during pregnancy, you should contact your doctor if you experience any sudden changes (gains or losses).
• Dieting is strongly not recommended during pregnancy, as it may be harmful to the development of the baby.
• You should choose from a variety of healthy food choices to ensure you are getting the best nutrition possible.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Eating-for-Two---Nutrition-During-Pregnancy

Choosing foods from each of the food groups of Canada's Food Guide can help you meet your special nutritional needs. It is important to eat regularly and enjoy nutritious snacks. Aim for 3 meals and 3 snacks daily.

Important nutrients for you and baby

Folic acid is a member of the B-vitamin family. It acts with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells. Folic acid helps reduce a baby's risk of developing a type of birth defect called neural tube defect, or spina bifida. Neural tube defects happen early in pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Make sure you get enough folic acid daily before you become pregnant. Since it's hard to get enough from dietary sources alone, most doctors recommend that healthy women take 0.4 mg (400 µg) of folic acid every day for several months before becoming pregnant as well as during pregnancy. Make sure the supplement contains no more than 1 mg of folic acid, unless your doctor recommends otherwise.

Other tips to increase folic acid intake:

• Choose fortified breads and cereals.
• Eat more foods rich in folic acid/folate: reach for asparagus, broccoli, spinach, oranges, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
• Avoid overcooking vegetables.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Eating-for-Two---Nutrition-During-Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your basal metabolic rate (BMR, or the number of calories you use each day) will increase, and you'll need more calories to support the extra work needed for fetal development. During the first trimester, most women usually don't need to increase their usual daily intake of calories (i.e., 1,800 to 1,900 calories) unless they need to compensate for starting a pregnancy underweight. But even if extra calories aren't consumed in the first trimester, you should still make balanced nutrition part of your daily wellness plan.

During the second and third trimesters, you will need an extra 350 to 450 calories each day. But that doesn't mean feeling uncomfortably full: for example, just a couple of pieces of toast and a banana can supply those extra calories.

There are exceptions to the extra-calories rule: women who start out under- or overweight, women who are very physically active, and women with certain medical conditions should talk to their doctor about specific caloric needs.

Choose healthy foods to supply calories instead of high-fat or high-sugar alternatives. For example, if you like sweetened snacks and beverages, remember that fresh and dried fruits, and fruit juice concentrates, are sweet but also contain important vitamins and nutrients (unlike some other high-sugar snacks). The occasional ice cream treat is OK, but note that enjoying a cone or small bowl of low-fat yogurt is a more nutritious way to obtain dietary calcium.

Women with diabetes should talk to their doctor or a registered dietitian about their special nutritional needs during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant and have diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar levels to make sure the levels remain within the normal range. Women with blood sugar levels that are too high risk having a difficult birth. They also risk having babies that weigh more than normal at birth and have various newborn problems.

Women who did not have diabetes before may also develop the condition during pregnancy. This kind of diabetes is known as gestational diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes can control their condition with a healthy balanced diet and moderate exercise. Medications are usually not necessary. Gestational diabetes usually disappears after the baby is born.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Eating-for-Two---Nutrition-During-Pregnancy

Consult your doctor or dietitian – you might need to take a vitamin supplement during pregnancy. Keep in mind that supplements are meant not to replace foods, but to balance a nutritious diet. Your doctor can help you choose an appropriate supplement that contains suitable amounts of vitamins and minerals. Any supplementation that exceeds the recommended daily intake (RDI), such as folic acid, should be taken only under the recommendation of your doctor, because high doses of vitamins and/or minerals can be toxic at certain levels.

A folic acid supplement of 0.4 mg per day should be taken by healthy women (for several months in advance) who are planning to become pregnant and by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

In the later stages of pregnancy, you require more iron, to help produce healthy red blood cells for you and your growing baby. Sometimes it's difficult for women to consume enough iron from foods. Most doctors recommend that pregnant women take a daily iron supplement of 16 mg to 20 mg of elemental (ferrous) iron in addition to any other prenatal vitamins. Anemic women in particular may require an iron supplement. Discuss the possible need for iron supplementation with your doctor and pharmacist. You can also help your body better absorb dietary iron by eating iron-rich foods together with foods rich in vitamin C, such as berries, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and citrus fruits. For example, have a glass of orange juice with an enriched breakfast cereal. Pregnant women over 19 years of age should aim for a total vitamin C intake of 85 mg per day, according to the Dietitians of Canada.

Consuming 3 to 4 servings of dairy products a day can help ensure adequate calcium during your pregnancy. However, women with diets lacking in calcium (e.g. women with a lactose intolerance) may require a calcium supplement in addition to their dietary sources. Different types of calcium supplements have different instructions (e.g., taken with or without food), so always read and follow the labels. Avoid bone meal and dolomite, as these types of calcium supplements may contain traces of lead. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist and dietitian for more information about calcium supplements, and be sure to incorporate calcium-rich foods in your diet.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Eating-for-Two---Nutrition-During-Pregnancy

Caffeine: Caffeine crosses the placental barrier into the baby's blood when you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Limit your caffeine intake to less than 300 mg in one day. Watch out for the new "energy" drinks – while some contain only as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, others may contain much more. Energy drink manufacturers are not required to list caffeine on the drink label unless the caffeine is added as a separate ingredient. However, caffeine in energy drinks usually comes from natural sources, such as guarana or yerba mate, so the label may not tell the whole story about how much caffeine is in the drink. If you need a soothing cup of something warm, choose citrus, ginger, or lemon herbal teas (no more than two or three cups per day), soup, warm milk, or the occasional cup of hot chocolate. Consume caffeinated beverages in moderation, and drink them between meals, as they may interfere with the absorption of iron at meals.

Alcohol: Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can cause fetal alcohol syndrome and permanent birth defects, especially if consumed in high quantities. The Motherisk Program states that most organ development is completed a few weeks after the first trimester. Brain development continues throughout pregnancy and after birth. Exposure to alcohol any time during pregnancy can affect the baby's brain.

The Canadian Health Network states that researchers are unsure if a "safe" level of alcohol consumption exists during pregnancy. The harmful effects of alcohol vary with the stage of pregnancy and the amount consumed on each occasion. However, research does show that all types of alcoholic beverages have the same negative effects during pregnancy. Avoid all alcoholic beverages if you are planning a pregnancy and while you are pregnant.

Nicotine: Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of a baby being born prematurely and underweight. Stop smoking if you are considering getting pregnant; if you are pregnant, never smoke. Because of the health risks associated with second-hand smoke, avoid any smoky environments. The use of nicotine replacement therapies may be considered for some pregnant women; speak to your doctor to determine if it is appropriate for you. Do not start using nicotine products without first consulting a health care professional.

Medications: Illicit drugs, inhalants, prescription and over-the-counter medications, and even certain herbal products can affect the unborn baby. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any medications and herbal products.

Some artificial sweeteners: Aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame-potassium are used in many foods such as soft drinks, desserts, yogurt, fruit spreads, salad dressings, chewing gum, and candy. Although evidence shows that these artificial sweeteners are safe for pregnant women, use them moderately. Avoid using saccharin or cyclamates.

Fish and shellfish: Certain fish may contain high levels of mercury, which can affect the baby's developing nervous system. Limit fresh/frozen tuna, escolar, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy, and shark to no more than 150 grams per month, and canned albacore (white) tuna to no more than 300 grams per week. Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish such as oysters, mussels, prawns (shrimp), and crab. These may cause severe food poisoning if contaminated by bacteria.

Milk and milk products: Avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese. This includes cheeses such as feta, brie, Camembert, blue cheeses, and goat cheese. These foods may contain bacteria called listeria, which are harmful to unborn babies.

Raw sprouts and unpasteurized juices: Avoid raw vegetable sprouts (such as alfalfa, clover, and radish) and unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices, as these may contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can cause serious illness in pregnant women and may also be passed on to the baby.

Raw or undercooked meats, poultry or eggs: Undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs can contain bacteria and parasites that can harm an unborn baby. Be sure to cook ground beef and pork to at least 160° F (71° C), roasts and steaks to 145° F (63° C), whole poultry to 180° F (82° C), and eggs until the yolk and white are firm, not runny.

Certain meats: Avoid meat patés, and all liver products because of the risk of listeria. Liver and liver products are rich in vitamin A, and high levels of vitamin A may also be harmful during pregnancy.

Prepared foods: Avoid ready-to-eat meats such as deli meats, patés, and hot dogs (straight from the package). Also avoid ready-to-eat dressed salads (e.g., potato salad or coleslaw) and packaged salads. These foods may contain listeria.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Eating-for-Two---Nutrition-During-Pregnancy

Pregnant women who are vegetarian can still enjoy a carefully planned vegetarian diet. There are many health benefits to vegetarian diets, but women who are pregnant need to take extra care to get enough protein, iron, zinc, omega-3 fats, and vitamin B12.

Protein is essential to promote normal fetal growth, so it is an important nutrient for a healthy pregnancy. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for women and men is 0.80 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the RDA is the same as before pregnancy, but during the second and third trimesters, the RDA is increased to 1.1 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Vegetarian sources of protein include grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, and egg or milk products. Keep in mind that the protein in vegetables is less concentrated and less easily absorbed so you may need more or larger portions to get the required amount of protein.

What about vegans? According to the Dietitians of Canada, vegan diets can be low in calories, iron, zinc, omega-3 fats, vitamin B12, B6, calcium, and vitamin D. If you are vegan, talk to your doctor or a dietitian about ensuring you get enough essential nutrients during pregnancy.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Eating-for-Two---Nutrition-During-Pregnancy