The Pregnancy Diet. Not really what it seems. To most a diet is consuming less food but with the pregnancy diet you consume more food but healthier foods. Making the healthy choices so your body gets the nutrients and vitamins necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy is crucial to your well being – both mentally and physically. Consuming a higher calorie intake during pregnancy is normal and expected but choosing the right foods is critical to having a healthy baby and pregnancy.
The body during pregnancy needs calories so your intake of calories will rise during this time. You need these extra calories in order to gain more energy which is required for the growing demands of your body and growth of your baby.
Starving yourself is not an option with this diet. This diet is quite the opposite. You need to feed your body more of everything – but healthier more – as in more nutrients, vitamins, minerals in every meal.
Here are some great recommendations for Healthy Eating during pregnancy:
1. Take out or cooking? Given the choice, it is always recommended to cook your own food. One you have more control over the choices and the amounts of fat and salt that is added to your meals. Ordering or eating out not only has hidden dangers within the food itself but the preservatives in some fast foods can actually cause your body extra strain because of the added salts and fats.
2. Remember that everything you put into your mouth now is absorbed by the placenta and fed to your baby as well. So if you do not want your baby absorbing all of that junk like excess salt and fat, then don’t eat it and reach for something health instead.
It’s important to not stress out over the word “diet”. It simply means buying foods that are leaner in fat like leaner meats, vegetables (fresh), dairy and whole grains. All of these foods will not only make your feel better but will keep your energy up and overall well being better for you and your baby.
3. Protein – pregnant women need even more protein than normal. On average, about 75 grams of protein daily is recommended so that your body gets the energy it needs to perform at a normal daily level. Protein not only can make you feel better but it actually can help prevent pregnancy related hypertension which can be a dangerous side effect of being pregnant.
4. Morning sickness or as any woman can attest to, “all day sickness” is very common during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. If you are suffering from nausea, then don’t worry. You can still get the nutrients your body needs by splitting your meals up into smaller meals over the day. Instead of 3 big meals, try eating 6 smaller meals so you don’t overload your stomach with complex proteins and carbs.
5. Keep a journal. Keeping a journal of your daily food intake will help you keep track of those foods that you like or dislike and the ones that may have caused you discomfort. This will help you to avoid those foods in the future and find a good substitution instead.
6. Expect weight gain. This is not only normal but expected. Without a healthy weight gain you are depriving your body of the nutrients necessary for a health pregnancy. If you don’t feed yourself you aren’t feeding your unborn child.
7. Taking supplements. Yes it is a good idea to take supplements as a supplement, not a replacement to a good, healthy diet. Supplements are just that – they supplement what you are currently intaking so you need to be sure you are have a good, balanced diet and then the supplement is the icing on the cake.
The pregnancy diet is not a low calorie, lose weight diet. The food choices you make during pregnancy are crucial to having a happy and healthy pregnancy and healthy development of your baby. Being pregnant gives you the freedom to make those choices and be wise about them. Next time you reach for that hamburger, stop and think about the effects it will have on your baby. If you wouldn’t feed your baby the food, then don’t feed it to yourself. Follow a good, sensible, healthy diet and enjoy this time in your life.
Learn more about the bestpregnancy diet foods and choices. Stop by Kathryn Riley’s site where you can find out all about pregnancy and diet and what good choices can do for you and your baby.
