Optimal
Nutrition during pregnancy is very important. A well-nourished woman has good
reserves of nutrients that are needed for the growing fetus as well as her own
health. A well-nourished fetus has good prospects on the way to good physical
and mental health during his life. On the other hand the reverse is also true;
an under-nourished fetus has several risks on the way to good physical and
mental health during his life. The effect of under nutrition during pregnancy
will vary depending upon the nutrients involved. It is not just mere calories
that are required for growth of fetus; the development of fetus depends on
various other nutrients as well. So it is very! Yes, very important for a new
mother to get all the essential nutrients through a Balanced Diet, the requirement of which is more during pregnancy.
Nutrients requirement during pregnancy
increases because of:
1. Growth of the maternal tissues, placentas,
fetus.
2.
The
enlargement of the uterus, mammary glands.
3.
Storage
4.
Increase
in maternal circulation blood volume
Diet
Chart recommendations:
Protein - The requirement of protein in
pregnancy is increased by 30% over the normal requirement and hence it is
recommended for moms to take high protein diet and food supplements.
1. Proteins are the building block of our
body.
2.
Proteins
are important for Growth and maintenances of muscles.
3.
Proteins
requirement for Adult-(1gm/body weight (kg)/day) in pregnancy the requirement
is increased by 30%.
4. Source of Proteins- Milk, egg, Fish,
meat, nuts, pulses, whole grains etc.
Vitamins - All the vitamins especially water
soluble vitamins [vitamin B, Vitamin C] and other vitamin like Vitamin A,
vitamin D and folic acid requirement is increased during pregnancy.
1. Vitamin A requirement is increased by
25% over the normal requirement.
2.
Source-
egg yolk, butter, liver etc
3.
Vitamin
C requirement during Pregnancy 85mg/day.
4.
Vitamin
C is important to absorption of iron in the body.
5.
Vitamin
C increases the immunity.
6.
Source-Amla,
lemon, orange, guava etc.
7.
Vitamin
D is important because it increase the maternal calcium absorption.
8.
Source-
Sun light in the morning ,milk,liver, egg yolk
9.
All
Vitamin B (B1, B2, B6, and B12) requirementsare increase during pregnancy.
10. Source-egg etc.
Minerals
The
two most important minerals Calcium and iron needs increase amount during
pregnancy.
I.
Calcium
is required for the growth and development of the bones and tooth buds in the
growing foetus.
1.
Calcium
is important for blood clot mechanism.
2.
Source-
Milk and Milk products, legumes etc.
3.
Calcium
requirement during pregnancy- 1000mg/day.
II.
Woman
requires more iron than a man.
1.
Iron
requirement during pregnancy 27mg/day.
2. Source- egg yolk, Liver, green leafy
vegetables etc
Although
other nutrients like Fatty acids, all essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals are also as important as above
mentioned one, so balance your Diet Chart keeping in mind overall good health for both mom and fetus.
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