Nutritional supplements needed by pregnant women
Proper nutrition for pregnant women can have a positive effect on pregnancy and fetal development. Some necessary nutrients, such as folic acid, calcium, iron, DHA, etc., are the nutritional supplements that pregnant women need most. The following details the nutrients and corresponding supplements that pregnant women need from many aspects.
Folic acid
Folic acid is an essential vitamin for pregnant women. Scientists have found that folic acid supplementation by pregnant women in the first three months of pregnancy and during pregnancy can effectively prevent the prevalence of fetal neural tube defects and malformations. Pregnant women usually supplement folic acid by taking folic acid tablets or ingesting it through food.
Folic acid tablets
Folic acid tablets are sold in many drug stores and supermarkets. When choosing folic acid tablets, be sure to pay attention to the content and expiration date. Usually the folic acid content per tablet is around 400-800 micrograms. It is recommended that pregnant women supplement 400-800 micrograms of folic acid every day, but it is best to start supplementing in the first three months of pregnancy.
Foods rich in folic acid
In addition to taking folic acid tablets, pregnant women can also consume folic acid in food. Foods rich in folic acid include green leafy vegetables, various legumes, milk and eggs. However, folic acid in food is easily destroyed by cooking, so it is recommended that pregnant women eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Calcium
Pregnant women need to supplement large amounts of calcium to support the growth of the developing fetus and to strengthen their bones and teeth. The best way to supplement calcium is to eat calcium-rich foods in your diet, along with certain calcium tablets.
Calcium tablets
Pregnant women are recommended to consume 1,200 to 1,500 mg of calcium daily. The content of each calcium tablet is usually 500 mg. Pregnant women can take appropriate supplements under the guidance of a physician.
Calcium-rich foods
Most people are accustomed to consuming dairy products as a regular way of getting calcium. Pregnant women can supplement corresponding nutrients by eating cheese, milk and yogurt. In addition, almost all green vegetables, including salad greens, spinach, and cabbage, are good choices for calcium.
Iron
Pregnant women need to supplement enough iron to support fetal development. Iron can improve blood quality and increase the immunity of pregnant women. Iron intake is generally through diet and injection.
Iron diet
Foods rich in iron include lean meat, chicken, liver, eggs and beans. Pregnant women can also help absorb iron by eating foods containing vitamin C. It is also important to note that the absorption rate of iron in food is not high, and pregnant women can take appropriate iron supplements under the advice of their doctors.
DHA
DHA is an Omega-3 fatty acid that helps the mental development of pregnant women and fetuses. At the same time, DHA can also improve the immunity of pregnant women and produce anti-inflammatory effects. The most common forms of DHA supplementation are dietary and oral soft gel capsules.
DHA in diet
DHA mainly comes from fish and shellfish. Pregnant women can eat fish containing DHA appropriately, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. But pregnant women are choosingBe sure to pay attention to heavy metals in fish, such as mercury, when eating. Foods such as caffeine and alcohol also need to be limited or avoided.
Oral soft capsule
The DHA content of oral soft capsules is relatively standard, and there is no need to worry about mercury contamination. Pregnant women can appropriately supplement the corresponding DHA oral soft capsules under the advice of a physician.
Summary
The nutrients that pregnant women need to supplement during pregnancy mainly include folic acid, calcium, iron, DHA, etc. When supplementing nutrition, you can choose a combination of food intake and drug supplementation. However, pregnant women should consult their doctors when choosing nutritional supplements. For nutritional supplements during pregnancy, appropriate, balanced and diversified nutrition is very important to ensure the health of mother and baby.
