Nature rewarded a pregnant woman with a special intuition. Well, who does not know how variable the tastes of a woman bearing a child are? Thus, the body expresses the need for any substance. It turns out, as if on an intuitive level, a woman determines what products the fetus currently needs. Wanted an orange? This means that the body needs vitamin C. Therefore, do not ignore your desires and include the products of interest to the pregnant woman’s diet.
Mom should provide the baby with all the necessary nutrients. The entire system that supports the intrauterine development of the baby needs a regular supply of vitamins and minerals. Yes, and the mother’s body is gradually preparing for breastfeeding and makes reserves for this period. With all this, the mother herself needs much more nutrients, with every week the load on her body increases. A properly selected and balanced diet for pregnant women should provide mom and baby with vitamins and other useful substances.
What can a pregnant woman's poorly organized diet lead to? First of all, this leads to premature birth. In babies who receive less nutrients during fetal development, rickets is most often diagnosed. The immunity of such children is weakened. The risk of various infectious and catarrhal diseases increases, there is a lag in physical and mental development, the child is learning poorly, he has a poor memory.
What products must be included in the diet for pregnant women?
- any dairy and sour-milk products: milk, kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese;
- dishes made from meat or fish;
- bakery products or pasta in moderation;
- vegetables, berries, fruits;
- foods rich in fats;
- cereals.
Products whose consumption must be limited:
- dishes leading to weight gain and fullness. These are sweets, pastries, pasta, nuts;
- any fluid, especially in the second half of pregnancy. The total daily volume of not more than five glasses.
- pickles and any too salty dishes. In the last months before birth, salt intake is minimized. This helps to reduce puffiness and facilitates the birth process. Instead of regular salt, you can add seaweed powder to your pregnant diet, but do not abuse it because of too much iodine.
And now products that should not contain a diet for pregnant women:
- fried foods. They are quite difficult to digest and create a burden on the digestive system, the body requires much more time and energy costs for the assimilation of such dishes;
- spicy, spicy dishes, excess seasonings. They irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Instead of the usual seasonings, you can use caraway seeds, cilantro, dried herbs;
- coffee. For women who find it difficult to refuse this drink, it is advisable to drink decaffeinated coffee or chicory;
- strong tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol;
- too fatty foods;
- raw, semi-raw, jerky or fish;
- unpasteurized dairy products;
- products with chemical food additives and flavorings.
In the first half of pregnancy, food intake occurs 4-5 times a day. But if a woman is tormented by nausea and toxicosis, the number of meals increases up to 6 times, and the portion is reduced. It matters and eating according to the regime at a strictly defined time. The mother’s body begins to get used to the routine, and by the time the meal is approaching, the stomach begins to produce digestive juice, which contributes to a quick digestive process and lower energy costs.