Pregnancy is the stepping stone of motherhood and parenthood altogether. It is the time when life is being given shape and strength to take birth on this planet. This is the time you consult the Best Dietitian in Ludhiana. They will help you in planning a diet during your pregnancy, since a proper diet will form a foundation of life for an unborn child inside a mother’s womb.
Before you start a diet for this phase of life, you should consult a Dietitian for Weight Loss in Ludhiana. They will impart some knowledge regarding such diets, thus helping in your diet planning.
Proper nutrition also plays an essential role in pregnancy. You should consult the best Nutrition Doctor in Ludhiana, who will give you adequate guidance during diet planning.
There are some critical components of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, as suggested by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
- Appropriate weight gain
- Balanced diet
- Regular exercise
- Timely and proper vitamin and mineral intake
Caloric and Dietary Recommendations
Almost 300 calories is the daily requirement to maintain a healthy pregnancy. A pregnant woman should follow a well-balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, providing essential nutrients to ensure this amount of calories every day. It gives the child all the vital nutrients for its growth and resistance against diseases upon birth.
A well-balanced diet is also helpful in avoiding some pregnancy symptoms like nausea and constipation.
Fluid Intake
During pregnancy, fluid intake is an essential part of nutrition intake. There are two recommendations to follow regarding the intake of fluid:
- You can partake in enough fluids by drinking several glasses of water each day. But you have to limit your intake of caffeine and artificial sweeteners.
- Avoid alcohol intake at all costs.
Suitable food for Pregnancy
Here is a list of food suitable for the pregnancy period, which helps in proper fetal development:
- Vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, cooked greens, tomatoes and red sweet peppers for vitamin A and Potassium.
- Fruits:: mangoes, apricots, cantaloupe, bananas, red or pink grapefruit for potassium.
- Dairy products: fat-free yogurt, skimmed milk, and soy milk for calcium, potassium, vitamins A & D)
- Grains: ready-to-eat cereals or cooked cereals.( forIron and Folic Acid)
- Proteins like beans, seeds, lean beef, salmon, sardines, etc.
However, to avoid complications, you must avoid foods like unpasteurized milk and products made out of it, hot dogs and luncheon meat, raw and undercooked seafood, refrigerated smoked seafood, etc.
Guidelines for Safe Food Handling
- Wash and rinse all the raw food before cutting, cooking, and eating.
- Clean your hands, knives, utensils, chopping boards, and compartments after handling and preparing undercooked food.
- Store all the promptly perishable food in a refrigerator.
The midwives and healthcare workers will provide a Prenatal supplement after meeting your nutritional needs. But it won’t replace a healthy diet.
The Essence of Folic Acid
Folic acid helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects, congenital disabilities of the brain and spinal cord. These foods can help you with your Folic acid intake, which must be around 400 micrograms daily:
- Green Leafy Vegetables
- Fortified breakfast cereals, nuts, berries, beans, and citrus fruits.
- Some vitamin supplements.
Hence, you can ensure safe and healthy childbirth with this diet certified by experts.