Nutrition, 0-12 weeks

Pregnancy

Eating right while you`re pregnant is one way you can help assure your baby`s good health. It`s also a very smart way to help you feel good during this physically challenging time. Good nutrition is really quite simple when you make a decision to eat wisely and well.

Your doctor/midwife/nutritionist will talk with you about the importance of good nutrition during pregnancy. Please inform your provider if:

• You are a vegetarian.
• You have food allergies.
• You have an eating disorder.
• You have a chronic condition that requires a special diet.

The Importance of Nutrition

The old phrase that a pregnant woman must "eat for two" is only partially true. While the food she ingests does provide the necessary nutrients for the developing fetus, the quality is much more important than the amount. In fact, a pregnant woman needs only 300 calories more per day than she did prior to becoming pregnant.

By choosing high-quality foods, in the proper quantities, you`ll be sure you`re getting the protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals you and your baby need. Each of the following nutrients serves a very important function:

• Protein comes from animal sources such as meat, eggs, and milk products as well as grains and vegetables. It is necessary for tissue growth and repair.
  
  
• Carbohydrates come from fruits, vegetables, and grains. These sugars and starches give your body energy.
  
  
• Vitamins and minerals are essential for your body to function well and your baby`s body to develop properly. While a good diet of high-quality food is best and will contain most of the vitamins and minerals you need, you may be prescribed a supplement to help ensure you receive sufficient amounts of the following:
  
  
  • Folic acid is necessary for your baby`s development of new blood cells. Intake of too little folic acid increases the risk to your baby of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
  • Calcium is essential in the formation and growth of your baby`s heart, muscles, skeleton, and teeth. Adequate intake of calcium helps ensure that your own teeth and bones will remain strong.
  • Iron is essential for proper blood supply for you and your baby (both during and after pregnancy).
  • Vitamin C helps you resist infection, maintain healthy bones and muscles, and absorb iron.
  • Vitamin D is essential for the proper adsorption of phosphorus and calcium. It is vital if your baby is to have healthy bones and teeth.
  • Vitamin A helps you maintain healthy skin and promotes normal function of your thyroid gland, which controls body metabolism.

Your diet should also:

Moderate fat intake
Eating a diet moderate in fat will help you keep your pregnancy weight at a healthy level. Some fat intake is necessary for your body to function normally. Remember that fat is found in butter, margarine, mayonnaise, cream cheese, salad dressings and virtually all animal-protein foods.

Moderate salt (sodium) intake
Limiting sodium intake is generally not recommended during pregnancy. Some salt intake is necessary for your body to function normally. If you begin to experience problems with high blood pressure, talk to your provider for their recommendations about sodium. Foods that have a high sodium content include processed meats, canned soups, salted snacks such as chips and pretzels, soy sauce, frozen dinners, and pizza.

Include sufficient fluids
Drinking enough fluids helps regulate body temperature, prevent constipation and urinary tract infections, reduce uterine contractions, and keep lips and skin soft. Your daily diet should include a combination of 6 eight-ounce glasses of fluid such as water, milk, fruit juice, mineral water, vegetable juice, decaffeinated beverages, yogurt drinks, fruit smoothies, and soups.


Source : Pregnancy.com