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If there is one time in your life during which it is crucial to have a healthy diet it is during pregnancy. Fetal development depends on not only the health of the mother, but also what she is putting into her body. Toxins and preservatives hinder the fetuses ability to develop healthily during pregnancy, and they contribute to birth defects and other medical problems. If you are pregnant, then it is crucial that you take your diet very seriously. The quality of life of your baby depends on it. Let’s take a look at some healthy eating habits moms can develop during their pregnancies:
· What to eat: When you are pregnant, your body uses nutrients to nourish you and your growing baby. Increasing your intake of iron, folic acid, protein and calories will help your baby grow and develop with a lower risk of birth defects and complications. Fruits, veggies, grains, and protein from nuts and poultry should be the staples of your pregnancy diet.
· What not to eat: Just as it is important to know what to eat during your pregnancy, it is equally as important to know what not to eat. Many foods are good to avoid because they have no nutritional value, but some foods are actually dangerous to the newly forming baby. Avoid raw eggs, raw and undercooked meats, fish that contain mercury, and unpasteurized milk.
· Vitamin supplements: When you are pregnant, it is a good idea to use prenatal vitamins as a means of complementing your diet. There are many pregnancy supplements on the market, mostly high in folic acid, that you can take to strengthen your baby’s developing body, and they are worth checking out.
· Don’t diet: Dieting is not a good idea when you are pregnant. Diets often take you away from healthy, balanced eating, and will negatively impact the development of your baby. If you are worried about your weight, just know that baby weight comes off with proper eating and exercise after pregnancy and keep in mind that the foods you should be eating while you are pregnant should not contribute to excessive weight gain in the first place.
Eating right during your pregnancy will keep you healthy and give your developing baby the best chance for a healthy future. Don’t spend your time worrying about your figure and don’t spend your time over-indulging on junk food-both will have adverse effects on fetal development. Pregnancy is a good time for you to re-evaluate your own eating habits and gives you a chance to develop healthy eating habits that you can carry into the future, long after you have delivered your bundle of joy.
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