The Facts About Diet During Pregnancy And The Foods To Eat When Pregnant
One of the most important diets that women will ever encounter in their lives is their diet during pregnancy. This is why a good knowledge of the proper foods to eat when pregnant is so important. The food that a pregnant woman puts into her body during pregnancy not only affects her directly, but also the development and growth of her unborn baby.
The proper foods to eat when pregnant will consist of the essential minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids and folate, all found from healthy wholesome sources. Combine this knowledge with knowing what pregnancy foods to avoid, and the developing fetus has an excellent chance of developing normally. Proper nutrition ensures normal foetal growth and development, while mortality and increased risk of developmental disorders are the main risks of poor pregnancy nutrition.
Proteins are the essential building blocks of life and are necessary for cell wall formation, which leads to healthy development of bones, organs and muscle tissue. Protein can be sourced from meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk, beans and nuts. Fish is also an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, an essential element required for the development of the baby’s verbal skills and behavioural patterns. However be aware that certain fish are to be avoided such as shark, marlin, king mackerel and swordfish. All these fish are predator-type fish, and can contain high levels of mercury that can be detrimental to the development of the foetus’s nervous system. Also avoid raw fish such as sushi and shellfish like mussels, clams and oysters. Raw fish can contain listeria, which can cause infection in the foetus and lead to miscarriage, while shellfish can cause a number of algae-related infections.
Calcium is essential for the baby’s development of healthy teeth and bones, assists in muscle growth and nerve development and helps to prevent blood clots. Calcium can be found in dairy products such as pasteurised cheese, milk and yogurts, as well as calcium-fortified foods like breads and cereals. When consuming milk as part of your essential foods to eat when pregnant, ensure that the milk is pasteurised, as unpasteurised milk can contain listeria. The same applies to soft cheeses which are to be avoided, such as brie, feta, camembert and mexican-style cheeses such as queso, blanco, fresco and panella.
Unwashed vegetables and deli meat should be eaten with caution when consumed in a diet during pregnancy. It is best to practice washing vegetables even if the packaging indicates that the veggies have been pre-washed. Unwashed vegetables can expose you to toxoplasmosis, as does raw meat. Deli meat should be heated to a high temperature before consuming as it may contain listeria.
With a little research on the correct foods to eat when pregnant, a pregnant woman can ensure that her developing baby has an excellent chance of maturing to full term, and entering the world healthy and happy.
As a responsible mum-to-be, you need to know the facts about foods to eat when pregnant. foods to eat when pregnant.
