Following A Healthy Diet During Pregnancy Is The Most Important Thing

There are so much plans that suddenly come on the chart with hints of the new arrival. It is important to follow a nutritious and healthy diet regime to make sure that the baby has a trouble free journey into the world. Following a healthy diet is very important for the proper development and growth of the unborn baby. A pregnant woman must consume 300 calories more than her regular diet. Eating and digesting so many calories a day and that too for whole nine months can be a tedious task at first glance but thinking about the welfare of your baby, it is the least you can do.

Healthy Diet During Pregnancy
Healthy diet during early pregnancy is yet another challenge considering the signs of morning sickness and cravings that you must be experiencing during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Despite everything, a balanced diet must be maintained for the health of your baby. Following are the foods that must be a part of the daily diet of a pregnant woman.

High Fiber Diet
Include fiber rich foods in your daily diet as they are the best source for all the requirements of your unborn baby. By high fiber diet, I mean food products like whole wheat breads, whole grains, rice, cereals, raw fruits and loads of green leafy vegetable and cooked beans. These foods are a great source of energy that is required during pregnancy. Around 5-10 servings of high fiber diet must be included in the daily diet of a pregnant woman. Meat, fish dairy and poultry must be included in adequate quantity as well.

Calcium and Vitamins
Calcium rich foods and those high in vitamin and minerals should be included in the healthy diet during pregnancy. Decent levels of vitamin D and folic acid must be maintained to avoid any complications in the pregnancy. Protein levels, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C levels must be maintained by eating enough of fish, fruits and vegetables. Iron rich food must be consumed that helps in healthy blood circulation. You can also opt for calcium and vitamin supplements on the doctor's advice.

Distribution of Meals
There must be equal distribution of the meal into 5-6 mini meals rather than 3-4 whole meals. At least 3 servings of dairy products, 1200 mg of calcium, 27 mg of iron, 70 mg of vitamin C and vitamin A (less than 1000 IU) must be consumed each day by the expecting mother. It is also important to consume at least 6 to 8 glasses of water everyday.

Things to Avoid During Pregnancy
There are some things that must be avoided during pregnancy, because they might cause trouble to the health of the mother as well as the child. Foods to avoid during pregnancy include raw meat items, fish that are high on mercury levels, soft cheeses and deli meats. These foods and more must be avoided to prevent food poisoning during pregnancy. Along with these food items, alcohol and smoking must be completely avoided in order to safeguard the health of the child and the mother-to-be. Stop drinking alcohol as it might cause premature babies, mental retardation and low weight in the newborn babies. Also minimize the daily caffeine intake to maximum 300 mg a day. That means you have to control the intake of coffee, chocolates and cola drinks.

Do not try to follow a diet for weight loss or any such purposes. Diet for healthy pregnancy must be planned with proper consultation with the dietitian. All in all, try to have a balanced diet for the betterment of your 'happy days'. Pregnancy exercises and timely medical examinations are very important factors for a healthy pregnancy. Mental health is as important as the physical health so, keep your mood always high as it will help in the development of your child-to-be. Well-being and proper growth of the unborn must be the prime thing on your to-do list. Healthy diet during pregnancy is all that takes to ensure and safeguard a happy and healthy pregnancy. When you will look at it this way, pregnancy will become a very unforgettable experience. Take care!