A healthy diet is so important during the special nine months of pregnancy. In fact, it's important to live a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet even before you are pregnant. Eating the right diet that is rich in important vitamins and minerals babies need to grow will help as your baby is developing in the womb. Babies get the nutrients they need from the food that mom eats, so it's important to eat the right kinds of foods to help baby get the best nutrients.
Nutrition Recommendations
Good foods to include are natural foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as they are rich in many of the important things mom and baby need. Also, moms need to be sure to eat enough protein, as this is necessary for a growing and developing baby, and also as mom is gaining some weight to support the baby.
During pregnancy women need an extra 100 to 300 calories per day. So when planning your meals be sure to plan for those extra calories, but remember that 100 to 300 calories is not much. Following the typical dietary guidelines for Americans will give you a good guide to a well-rounded diet.
Eating from all food groups including grains, vegetables, fruit, meat, beans and milk will ensure variety and a well-balanced diet. Follow the recommendations of MyPyramid for pregnancy and breastfeeding. This website also has great resources for all of the information moms-to-be need to know about nutrition and pregnancy, and then breastfeeding.
Morning Sickness
Sometimes it can be hard to eat a well-balanced diet with issues such as morning sickness. If you are experiencing this you should eat when you can, and eat foods that you feel settle well in your stomach.
Don't let morning sickness keep you from eating a well-balanced and varied diet. Continue to add in fresh fruits and vegetables as well as protein when you can. If the evening meal works well for you, then use that time to get in some nutrient-rich food.
Also, having small snacks throughout the day rather than large meals, tends to help many women with morning sickness and will provide a more nutrient-rich diet.
Prenatal Vitamins
Another important part of nutrition during pregnancy is taking prenatal vitamins, which are helpful for both mom and baby. These pills include extra folate that is needed for babies to grow properly, and prenatal vitamins also include many other important vitamins for mom and baby.
Be sure to take your prenatal vitamins as your physician recommends to help make your baby and you as healthy as possible. For more information on prenatal vitamins, look at the detailed information from MayoClinic.com.
Caffeine
Many people are concerned about caffeine intake during pregnancy. It is best to limit caffeine while pregnant. Doctors say a small amount of caffeine such as one cup of coffee or less will likely be okay, but this is something to talk about with your doctor if you have questions.
Remember
Everything you eat will nourish your baby, so make food decisions with that in mind. Choose the best foods to make you and your growing baby as healthy as possible.
