Without good nutrition, life is miserable whether you’re pregnant or not; good nutrition is the key to a successful life. Good nutrition, a balanced weight, and regular exercise can cause healthier, more comfortable, and enjoyable pregnancy. Having proper knowledge of these elements may reap multiple benefits for both mother and child. If these elements are negative it may lead to complexity and more challenging pregnancy. Thus, nutrition and weight gain affect your pregnancy positively and negatively.
Nutrition during pregnancy
Good nutrition or food is the nutrient & vitamin storehouse that provides all the nutrients to your and your child’s body. Women’s early nutrition is more important than during pregnancy because baby organ development happens in the first trimester, and nutrient supply should be continuous, so that at conception time, the mother’s body is enriched with nutrients. Thus, eating a healthy & balanced diet provide more energy, and prevents you from morning sickness, anemia, constipation, fatigue, and saves your baby from congenital disabilities.
On the contrary, poor nutrition produces hurdles and may lead to high-risk pregnancies. A poor diet can cause poor development & growth, lower birth rate, intrauterine growth restrictions, pregnancy issues, early delivery, congenital abnormalities, and sometimes the death of mother and child.
This is why doctors recommend taking methylated multivitamins during and after pregnancy. Proper vitamins are needed for a healthy mom and baby. Women usually lack vitamins during pregnancy, and this can have a negative effect on the health of the mother and the baby. Especially breastfeeding mothers require multivitamins daily to produce high quality breast milk.
Eating balanced diet
Eating a balanced diet helps you during pregnancy and afterward. Pregnant women need to build up 300 calories each day; only a healthy diet can help you accomplish this task. It doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy sweets or junk food, but you must curtail them. However, you can get calories from;
- Vegetables
- Meat
- Diary products
- Fruits
- Dry fruits
- Nuts
- Legumes & beans
- Safe seafood
- Grains
But, you have to quit processed food, unpasteurized food, uncooked seafood, and refrigerators smoked foods during pregnancy.
Though foods are rich in nutrients, you can’t ignore fresh fluids that are ripe with nutrients & delicious taste. These are;
- Water
- Fruit juice
- Milk
- Soup
- Hot tea
- Ice tea
- Coconut water
- Don’t drink caffeine and alcohol
Nutrients & Vitamins
No doubt, a healthy diet can fulfill your body’s needs. Unfortunately, more than 9.2% of the world’s population lives extremely in poverty. They should use nutrients & vitamin supplements to meet your dietary requirement. These are;
- Folic acid
- Prenatal vitamins
- B-complex vitamins
- Iron
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
If you are already using medications, talk to your doctor before using these supplements.
Weight gain during pregnancy
Weight is also a significant element that affects pregnancy; you cannot ignore it.Being overweight (gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and cesareans surgery) or underweight (premature birth with lower birth weight) create pregnancy problems. How much weight you put on during pregnancy depends on your weight at the time of conception. So, after marriage, maintains your body index mass. The doctors recommend that;
- Healthy women of normal weight can gain in the range of 25 to 30 pounds
- Underweight women should put on 28 to 40 pounds
- Overweight women can achieve between 15 to 25 pounds
- Women with obesity should put on that recommended by their obstetrician
I hope you clearly understand your nutrition and weight how much matters during pregnancy. If you’ve any further questions, consult your doctor.
Conclusion
Your nutrition and weight gain influence your pregnancy, leading to a healthier or more complicated pregnancy. Good nutrition and recommended weight gain prevent you from anemia, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, etc. Thus, adopt a standard lifestyle and quit alcohol or other harmful beverages.
