The expectant mother came to the house, and the whole family was overjoyed. In the days of looking forward to the birth of a new life, supplementing nutrition for the expectant mother has naturally become the top priority for the whole family. When it comes to supplementing nutrition, most people will say that eating more is better. One person can eat and two people can nourish the body. But what is \”good food\” and how to eat to supplement nutrition in a comprehensive and balanced way? Pregnant women’s nutrition during pregnancy needs to consider their own and the needs of their fetus. Choosing healthy foods and eating a moderate and balanced diet is a good habit.
In recent years, domestic and foreign studies have shown that nutrition during pregnancy is closely related to the occurrence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. This is also the fetal origin theory of adult diseases. The study also found that not only did malnourished newborns have an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood, but overnourished macrosomia also increased the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in adulthood. Some scholars have put forward the view that the prevention of chronic diseases should start from the fetal period. Therefore, expectant mothers must not only avoid undernutrition, but also eat a reasonable, balanced diet, moderate nutrition, avoid overnutrition, and lay the foundation for lifelong health of the baby. So, how should we achieve reasonable nutrition during pregnancy?
Before pregnancy, expectant mothers should eat more foods rich in folic acid, start supplementing with folic acid, eat iron-rich foods, eat iodized salt, supplement some seafood appropriately, and quit smoking and drinking. In the early stages of pregnancy (i.e. 1 to 12 weeks of pregnancy), this is the period when fetal organs are forming. At this time, pregnant women will have pregnancy reactions (such as nausea, vomiting, etc.). Expectant mothers should choose some light and delicious meals. While the total amount remains unchanged, eat small meals frequently to ensure adequate carbohydrate-rich foods. At the same time, eat more folic acid-rich foods to supplement folic acid, because folic acid deficiency can cause neural tube defects in babies.
In the second and third trimester of pregnancy (13 weeks to delivery), nutrition must be adequate and balanced to avoid nutritional diseases. Eat more iron-rich foods and less irritating foods.
Although expectant mothers need calcium supplements throughout pregnancy, expectant mothers in the third trimester have a significantly increased need for calcium. At the same time, the rate of calcification of fetal teeth and bones is also accelerating. Half of the calcium in the fetus is stored in the last two months of pregnancy. Calcium supplementation can help expectant mothers prevent pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Reasonable nutrition for pregnant women is mainly reflected in their weight. Expectant mothers must pay attention to their weight changes. Expectant mothers who were underweight before pregnancy should have a total weight gain of 12.5-18kg during pregnancy. Pregnant women with normal weight should add 11.5-16kg, while some overweight expectant mothers can add 7-11.5kg. Some pregnant women are always worried that they are malnourished and will not refuse anyone when it comes to food, leading to obesity and hyperlipidemia, which is not good for mothers and babies. If you want to know your nutritional status, you only need to check regularly and adjust your diet according to your doctor\’s instructions. It is recommended that pregnant women check blood routine once a month and blood biochemistry once or twice during pregnancy. As for weight, it is recommended to monitor it at home.
In short, as long as it remains normalIn diet, pay attention to adjusting the combination of various nutrients, so pregnant women do not have to worry about fetal malnutrition or malnutrition. I hope expectant mothers can eat a comprehensive and balanced diet, pay attention to weight changes, and let their babies grow healthily!