Tuesday, 23 January 2018 06:17

Foods to be taken during pregnancy

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Pregnant women are always confused about the right diet for a healthy pregnancy. It is pretty hard to think about food when due to some pregnancy hormones, the sight of food could make some women nauseous. But, on the bright side, many women crave for food and sometimes, develop a liking for some foods which were never on their wish list before pregnancy.

 

A pregnant woman has to choose a variety of food which is good for her and the baby during pregnancy. Foods which need to increase during pregnancy are foods which contain folate, iron, and calcium. These foods should be taken in large quantities.

 

Folate - is needed for the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system. Folate is present in green leafy vegetables. so make sure you take those green leafy vegetables in good quantities, but also make sure, you wash them and cook them well.

 

Iron is the next nutrient that needs to increase during pregnancy. Iron is needed for the formation of blood cells. The blood volume of the pregnant women goes up during pregnancy. A pregnant woman has to also support the formation of blood cells in the baby. This is the reason that she needs to increase the iron content in her foods. Iron is found in good quantities in green leafy vegetables. Almonds are also a good source of iron and calcium

 

Vitamin B6 is another important nutrient which should be taken during pregnancy. Vitamin B6 is found in potatoes, banana etc. Bananas are also known to reduce morning sickness and can be a great pregnancy snack. This vitamin helps in the production of serotonin, which helps in a good mood and thus keeps the mother happy.

 

Zinc is needed for immunity and is found in all the seeds like beans - kidney beans, chickpeas or kabuli chana, lentils and other cereals.

 

Calcium is another very important mineral that is needed during pregnancy. Milk and green leafy vegetables again is a very good source of calcium. Calcium is needed for the proper development of the bones and teeth of the baby.

 

Eggs are a great source of choline and are also a good source of protein. Eggs promote overall growth of the baby and also its brain health.

 

Beans - kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils etc are all a very good source of protein and fiber. The fiber in the beans can help in easing your digestion and helps in constipation too.

 

Eating plenty of colorful vegetables, from tomatoes to cucumbers, helps in providing all the nutrients for your growing baby. Make sure you include a variety of vegetables in your diet.

 

The most important of all is that pregnant women should always keep themselves hydrated. Try to drink at least 3 liters of water per day. Water maintains energy in the body, prevents constipation and helps in removing toxins from the body.

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Last modified on Friday, 03 August 2018 10:44
Dr Padma

Dr Padma is a Family care physician and is the Founder and CEO of MedHealthTV.

www.medhealthtv.com

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