Avoid dieting or attempting weight loss during pregnancy. Weight loss regiments and excessive calorie reduction will cause expecting mothers to expel essential vitamins and minerals (iron and folic acid). Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant take folic acid to prevent miscarriage and neural tube defects. About 20% of women, 50% of pregnant women, and 3% of men do not have enough iron in their body. The solution, in many cases, is to consume more foods high in iron. This will initiate hemoglobin; a substance in red blood cells that makes it possible to carry oxygen to the body's tissues.
Some eating and liquid consumption during pregnancy:
Here are some tips*:
- Don’t forget breakfast
- Drink plenty of water and avoid sodas
- Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need
- Choose foods high in fiber that are enriched such as whole-grain breads, cereals, fruits, and vegetables
- Make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet
- Eat and drink at least four servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods
- Eat at least three servings of iron-rich foods per day
- Choose at least one good source of vitamin C everyday
- Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid every day
- Choose at least one source of vitamin A every other day
Be Careful – Food to avoid or limit during pregnancy
- Avoid alcohol
- Limit caffeine
- Saccharin (sugar substitute) is strongly discouraged
- Decrease the total amount of fat you eat to 30% or less
- Limit cholesterol intake to 300 mg or less per day
- Don’t eat soft cheeses like feta, Brie, and goat cheese
- Avoid uncooked or under cooked meats or fish (like sushi, shellfish oysters and clams)
- Stay away of food with high levels of mercury such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tile fish
* Please note that product information presented on this website is intended only as a brief summary for the visitor’s convenience. PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR, OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE FOLLOWING THESE TIPS.
