When you find out you’re pregnant, your world changes in an instant. You might be excited to start a family or nervous about the future and how you’ll manage work and home life. But mostly, you wanted to ensure a healthy family.
Prenatal Nutrition Basics
The most important thing to remember about prenatal nutrition is that variety is the key. Eating plenty of healthful foods will help ensure that you and your baby get all the nutrients you need.
Calcium
It is important for the development of your baby’s bones and teeth, particularly during the last trimester. Pregnant women need about 1000mg of calcium each day.
Iron
It is necessary to make hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. You can find it in red meats, poultry, fish, beans, and many different types of fruits and vegetables.
Folate
Another B vitamin that is very important for a healthy pregnancy. This nutrient helps to prevent neural tube defects in the baby. You can find folate in green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.
Zinc
An important mineral that your body doesn’t naturally produce very much of. It helps the development of your baby’s immune system and for healing wounds. You can find zinc in meats, fish, eggs, and certain types of beans.
How to Manage Nausea During Pregnancy and Morning Sickness?
Some women will experience nausea and vomiting during their first trimester. This may be due to the surge in hormones (pregnancy hormones) and the increased blood flow to the uterus.
A Guide to Pregnancy Nutrition
During pregnancy, your nutritional needs are different.
This is because your body needs a certain amount of calories, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to help the fetus grow and develop. Expecting moms must include foods that are high in calories, protein, iron and calcium in their diet in order to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Lastly, you should limit screen time during pregnancy. Just as with your HEROES in the game, you have to be a hero in real-life for your baby. One way to do this is by setting a limit for yourself when and when you can’t use your phone or any device for that matter.