Good Nutrition During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, food is paramount: the needs are greater and it is essential to avoid deficiencies.

The choice of foods during pregnancy is essential. The needs of the mother are varied, both for a smooth pregnancy and a development without baby problem. The currency which should accompany you during pregnancy is: do not eat for two, but better to eat twice! 

Some habits to take… 

The first habit to take is to adopt a very regular rhythm food: the ideal is to make three meals each day equal on the energy plan, plus two snacks light. It is also important to always respect the balance by insisting on food intakes of carbohydrates, iron and calcium. Take regular nutritional supplements that you are prescribed (vitamin D, iron…) but do not take any polyvitamines without consulting your doctor.

From energy first! 

The "energy cost" of a pregnancy is an additional 150 kcal per day during the 1st quarter and 350 kcal at 2 and 3rd quarters. Of course, it depends on your body, your level of activity during pregnancy and other individual factors. Beware, if your ration energy is less than 1500 kcal per day during the second half of pregnancy, there can affect fetal growth

From meat to produce muscle! 

The recommended intakes of protein are 70 grams per day for a pregnant women. The dietary intake exceed widely, except in women belonging to groups “at risk”.

Want sweet? 

The metabolism of carbohydrates is profoundly altered during pregnancy, and glucose is very important for fetal tissue. We must focus on slow sugars (carbohydrates, for example) and spread carbohydrate meals during the day. The breakfast in particular should include slow carbohydrates: the risks of hypoglycemia are very important after fasting night. A breakfast carbohydrate must provide 40 to 50 grams of slow carbohydrates, which is the equivalent of 80 grams of bread or crackers 6 or 60 grams of cereal. 

The lipids for nerves… 

Lipids are important: they contribute to energy inputs. Care must be taken to their content of essential fatty acids, which are essential for newborns in general and a healthy development of nerve tissue in particular. 

Calcium: also good for Mom 

The needs for calcium are approximately 1000 mg per day. In addition to the bone mineralization in the child, the consumption of calcium protects pregnant woman's from the risk of hypertension and its serious complications and seizures of eclampsia. It enhances calcium in the milk to come. It would have a role in preventing the risk of postpartum depression. 

Vitamins are essential 

The needs of vitamins are all increased during pregnancy. The needs for vitamins A, C and B are easily covered by a food sufficiently diversified. However, the coverage needs folic acid (vitamin B9) is a problem, many women showing a low rate in early pregnancy. The folic acid deficiency increases the risk of prematurity and retarded fetal growth. It can cause serious birth defects affecting the nervous system in some women prone. It advises all women to increase food intake in folic acid, and take food supplements from the draft pregnancy (at least two months before conception) and throughout the first quarter. 

Vitamin D, often in late pregnancy, promotes hypocalcaemia newborn. That is why France on recommends vitamin D supplement systematically pregnant women, at least during the 3 rd quarter. 

Iron for your baby

The iron needs are increased especially in the last 6 months of pregnancy, and seek input from 30 to 50 mg per day minimum (the iron needs during pregnancy are so high that it is usually necessary to take supplements). A consequence of iron deficiency increases the risk of prematurity and fetal hypotrophie. Given low reserves before pregnancy, many women have anemia and must receive iron supplements. The women most at risk are adolescents, women with pregnancies or multiple quarters, vegetarian. 

The needs of other micronutrients (magnesium, zinc, iodine) are well covered by food. There is no evidence that fluoride supplements have an effect on future dental fetus. 

Finally, salt can be consumed normally during pregnancy is 10 to 12 grams per day, except against-medical indication.