Skip to main content

Image result for pregnancy and nutrition 


Healthy Woman = Healthy Family 
           
As we all know, women need to be healthy throughout her life, this statement becomes more relevant during pregnancy. 
Nutritional Requirements are increased during pregnancy as food eaten by mother provides nourishment to mother and foetus. A pregnant woman should focus on a well-balanced diet taking foods from all the food groups including cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, nuts, oilseeds and milk products along with at least 8 glasses of water in a day.

Generally, energy requirement increases by 150 Kcal during the first trimester and 300-350 Kcal during the second and third trimester.

Nutrients to be focused more during pregnancy.

1.  Folate/ Folic Acid

Requirement: 
  • normal Adult Woman requires 200 µg/day 
  • a pregnant woman requires 400-500 µg/day
Role:
  • foetal growth 
  • synthesis of essential components of RNA and DNA 
  • development of RBCs 
Deficiency: 
Impact on Mother:  
  • Anaemia
Impact on Infant: 
  • spontaneous abortion
  • preterm labour 
  • low birth weight 
  • Neural Tube Defects (eg, Spina Bifida)
Sources: Dark Green Leafy Vegetables, Legumes, Orange Juice, Whole Grain, almonds, peanuts 

Note: Supplements are being provided to meet the nutritional requirements 

2.  Iron

Requirement: 
  • normal Adult Woman requires 21 mg/day 
  • a pregnant woman requires 35 mg/day
Role:
  • Foetal Growth 
  • Development of RBCs
Deficiency: 
Impact on Mother:  
  • anaemia
  • complications during labour 
Impact on Infant: 
  • susceptible to Anaemia 
Sources: Dried beans, dried fruits, green leafy vegetables, eggs, fortified cereals and salt

Note: Iron needs Vitamin C to be absorbed in the body, therefore one should have the serving of vitamin C like orange, lemon, guava, strawberries along with iron.

3. Calcium

Requirement: 
  • normal Adult Woman requires 600 mg/day 
  • a pregnant woman requires 1200 mg/day
Role:
  • calcification of bones and teeth of mother and foetus 
  • protection of calcium resources of the mother to meet the high demands during lactation
Deficiency: 
Impact on Mother:  
  • muscular Cramps 
  • repeated pregnancy with the poor diet can result in osteomalacia
Impact on Infant: 
  • decreased calcification of bones and teeth
  • low birth weight 
Sources: Dairy products 

Note: Should not take calcium supplements with Iron supplements as Calcium alters the iron absorption.

4. Proteins
Requirement: 
  • normal Adult Woman requires 55 g/day 
  • a pregnant woman requires 82 mg/day
Role: 
  • foetal growth 
  • enlargement of uterus, placenta and mammary glands 
  • formation of amniotic fluid and storage reserves for labour, delivery and lactation 
  • transfer of amino acids from mother to foetus 
Deficiency: 
Impact on Mother:
  • abortion 
  • complication during delivery 
  • ketosis 
  • Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH)
  • may not gain enough weight 
Impact on Infant: 
  • premature birth 
  • low birth weight 
  • fewer brain cells 
Sources: Milk, Meat, Eggs, Cheese, legumes, whole grains, nuts and oil seeds



                      


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

fruits # stay healthy # stay fit # diet mashwara

    Does eating time determine the pros and cons of fruits?  Fruits: Fruits are the powerhouses of vitamins, minerals. fiber and water. Fruits contain very fewer carbohydrates but lack of proteins and Fats. They are helpful in diseases like Diabetics, Obesity, Cardiovascular diseases, Renal problems, Liver problems etc. We always have been heard about the benefits of Fruits since our childhood. Fruits are being relished by most of the people because of its appearance and delicious nature. Below are some points to discuss the timings of eating fruits. Fruits should not be eaten along with other Foods: Patients having obesity and Diabetes should not eat fruits along with other food to avoid the dollops of calories. But some believe that fruits hinder with digestion results in bloating, gas, heartburn. Well, there is no such scientific reason behind it as our stomach contains enough amount of Hydrochloric acid to kill the bacteria res...
Post a Comment
Read more

drink lots of water # stay healthy # stay fit # diet mashwara

Warm Water or Cold Water? It’s always a Question of Debate, one should have warm water or cold water to lose weight. Water is a vital part of our body. Not only to lose weight, water helps in keep ourselves hydrated.  Many people around us stressing on having warm water while others are more emphasizing on having cold water. Don’t we think, it depends on the outer climate too? For example, everyone would be making fun of a person living at the North Pole for having cold water and same can be seen as having warm water at the Equator. Well Jokes apart, Let’s see some facts. Cold Water: According to researchers, cold water helps in burning calories as it will allow our body cells to release more energy in bringing down the temperature of water equal to our body temperature, which enhances our exercise performance means more workout, more lose weight. Warm Water: It absorbs slowly in the body which in results suppressing the appetite as one would feel full f...
Post a Comment
Read more