When pregnant, good nutrition is essential for fetal development and the mother's overall health. According to the book "Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy," eating healthy foods and snacks during a pregnancy can keep the woman fit and minimize instances of sickness. Taking in certain nutrients can also give the baby strength as he develops.
Weight Management
When you're pregnant, consuming a well-rounded selection of snacks can provide the vitamins and nutrients that are vital for healthy fetal development. These snacks can also reduce weight gain in the mother, which in turn lowers the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. These conditions can significantly complicate pregnancy and in most cases are fairly easy to avoid by adjusting your diet when necessary.
More Calories
Pregnant women should eat the same well-rounded diet recommended to everyone, with a few tweaks. "Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy" suggests that most pregnant women will need to consume about 300 more calories than usual during the later stages of pregnancy. Additionally, eating nutrient-rich whole foods that are high in folic acid, calcium and protein is especially important.
Extra Nutrition
Combining healthful, filling foods can help curb your hunger when pregnant while delivering the extra nutrition you need. "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" recommends eating small meals throughout the day and avoiding processed foods as often as possible. Spreading natural peanut butter on whole-grain bread or crackers gives you a protein boost with complex carbohydrates. Try eating low-fat or fat-free yogurt with sliced fruit to keep your blood sugar steady and get much-needed calcium. Fortified breakfast cereal is packed with folic acid and is a good snack when eaten with low-fat or fat-free milk. A low-fat string cheese with a leafy green salad or raw broccoli also supplies calcium, protein and folic acid.
Blood Sugar
According to "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy," the major benefit of eating healthful snacks throughout your pregnancy, besides managing weight gain, is that they keep the blood sugar steady. Many pregnant women feel that can't eat much in one sitting because the growing child takes up so much room inside them. Eating five to six meals per day in the form of smaller snacks helps women get the nutrition they require in portions they can tolerate.
Warning
Though some snacks and foods may seem like good sources of nutrition, certain items can be dangerous to pregnant women and should be avoided. The March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women avoid raw seafood, undercooked eggs and meat, unpasteurized dairy products, raw sprouts, herbal supplements and fish with a high level of mercury.
References
- "Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy;" Elizabeth Somer; 2002
- "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy;" Mayo Clinic; 2004
- MarchofDimes.com: Your Healthy Diet During Pregnancy
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