Monday, February 18, 2008

Nutrition and Your Pregnancy......It Does Matter!

Nutrition and Your Pregnancy......It Does Matter!
When a woman is healthy, balancing carbohydrates, fat, and
proteins, and eating a variety of fruits and vegetables
usually ensure good nutrition.Women with fears of weight
gain or with eating disorders may choose to work with a
health professional, to ensure that pregnancy does not
trigger an eating disorder. Eating healthy salads will
help you to control your weight and. there is a wealth of
information available today that offers tips for eating
well starting from the moment you get early pregnancy
symptoms. Healthy eating begins long before conception
ever occurs. Try eating starchy snacks, like toast,
saltines, cheerios, or other dry cereals when you feel
nauseated. Some women find eating dry crackers before
rising from bed in the morning helpful for nausea. You'll
need to avoid eating or drinking certain things during
pregnancy, such as: certain types of fish, such as
swordfish, canned tuna, and other fish that may be high in
mercury (your doctor can help you decide which fish you can
eat)foods that contain raw eggs, such as mousse or Caesar
salad raw or undercooked meat and fish processed meats,
such as hot dogs and deli meats , unpasteurized cheeses,
such as feta, brie, blue, and goat cheese unpasteurized
milk, juice, or cider. Try eating frequent, small meals,
and avoid greasy foods. At least in the later stages of
pregnancy, she needs to consume more energy than usual, but
this does not mean eating twice as much. In general,
eating a variety of fresh, whole (unprocessed) plant foods
has proven hormonally and metabolically favorable compared
to eating a monotonous diet based on processed foods.

Since studies indicate that most women get less than half
the recommended amount of folic acid, the March of Dimes
recommends women consider a supplement of 400 micrograms of
folic acid preconceptually to prevent the incidence of
neural tube defects. If increased weight gain is
recommended, an emphasis should be placed on high-calorie
food group items that contain a higher fat and sugar
content. Iron is the only recommended nutrient for which
requirements cannot be reasonably met by diet alone during
pregnancy. Thirty milligrams of ferrous iron is
recommended, and iron should be taken on an empty stomach.
Calcium supplements, if recommended, should be taken with
meals. When the development of major organs begins during
early pregnancy, often before a woman starts prenatal care
or realizes that she is pregnant, preconception care is
recommended for every woman of reproductive age.

Trying to conceive is the most natural and pleasurable part
of having a baby, but can also be the most stressful. As
your body adjusts to the growing baby, you may have nausea,
fatigue, backaches, mood swings, and stress. A stress free
pregnancy is one of the greatest gifts that you can give
your new baby and.more rest is needed as the woman copes
with the added stress of extra weight. Massaging sore
areas of the body during pregnancy can reduce aches and
stress. Relaxation techniques can be used to cope with
such conditions as stress or morning sickness. Finally,
mood swings and stress are common symptoms reported by many
women in the early stages of pregnancy. The following herbs
are recommended for pregnant women: red raspberry leaf tea
is regarded as an all-purpose remedy.

There are seven main classes of nutrients that the body
needs: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals,
fiber and water. Most people think of nutrition as
optional if they are taking prenatal vitamins, but the fact
remains that prenatal vitamins are a supplement, think of
them as your lifeguard. Prenatal vitamins are a necessary
staple in pregnancy. Your doctor will want you to start
taking prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid, calcium,
and iron as soon as possible. These vitamins and minerals
help ensure the baby's and mother's health as well as
prevent some types of birth defects. Ask your doctor if you
should change prenatal vitamins if it seems to be making
your nausea worse. Meanwhile get plenty of sleep, eat
right, take your prenatal vitamins and get some moderate
exercise by taking short walks. However your odd food
cravings may not be as strong if you are taking your
prenatal vitamins and fish oil capsules. The importance of
pre-natal vitamins and fish oil capsules, your doctor will
tell you; that if you are trying to conceive, or you
believe you may be experiencing early pregnancy symptoms,
you should be taking daily pre-natal vitamins. It is
important that the mother's diet contains sufficient
protein, iron, calcium, folic acid, and vitamins C and D
for the formation of the baby's muscles, bones, and teeth,
and to make hemoglobin. Supplementary iron and vitamins C
and D are often recommended, but iron tablets can cause
constipation and other distressing effects in some people.
Heating techniques may also reduce food's content of many
heat-labile nutrients such as certain vitamins and
phytochemicals, and possibly other yet to be discovered
substances. Nonetheless, processed foods tend to have an
inferior nutritional profile than do whole, fresh foods,
regarding content of sugar and high GI starches,
potassium/sodium, vitamins, fiber, and of intact,
unutilized (essential) fatty acids. According to the
United Nations World Health Organization (WHO: 1996), more
than starvation the real challenge in developing nations
today is malnutrition-the deficiency of micronutrients
(vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids) that no
longer allows the body to ensure growth and maintain its
vital functions.

We are now in the 21st century, have the luxury of liquid
vitamins and an absorption rate of 98%. The benefits of
this mean a healthier you, whether you are pregnant or not.
There are so many online sources to consult with in the
comfort of your home; there should be no problem in finding
all the information you need. Take care of your mind & body!


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Pregnancy is an important matter & Chuck Arnone has
highlighted the necessary requirements for your nutrition.
http://www.provitaminliquid.com

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