What does it mean to eat healthy during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, doctors, gynecologists and midwives recommend eating properly. What does it actually mean to eat healthy during pregnancy?
Eating a healthy and nutritious diet is especially important not only if you are pregnant but also if you are planning to become pregnant. In fact, even the preconception period is important for your and the baby’s future health. Your baby relies on you to get the right balance of nutrients to grow and develop properly.
Everything you eat and drink during pregnancy reaches the baby and affects its health.
Example:
- VITAMIN D: For healthy bones and teeth
- FOLIC ACID: prevents malformations such as spina bifida
- OMEGA 3 (found in fish and nuts); promote brain development of vision
- SOCCER; for healthy bones and teeth
- PROTEINS: for the formation of bones, muscles and organs
What foods are needed during pregnancy?
It is not necessary to follow a special diet if there are no conditions such as gestational diabetes, but it is sufficient to find the right balance between the following foods (it is important to consult a nutritionist or dietitian if in doubt):
Fruits and vegetables
Try to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. They can be fresh (well washed), frozen, dried, or blended, or in the form of soups, purées and stews. Avoid sugary fruit drinks (such as packaged fruit juices) or salted nuts (such as roasted peanuts).
Carbohydrates
These types of foods are an important source of energy, some vitamins, and fiber. They include bread, potatoes, breakfast cereals, rice and pasta. Choose whole-grain versions whenever possible: whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, and whole-grain cereals.
Protein
Protein provides the building blocks for your baby to grow.
Foods in this group include meats (avoid liver), fish, poultry, eggs (no more than 2 weeks well cooked), beans, legumes, and nuts.
Portions of fish must always be present in the diet every week (sole, cod, hake, trout, dogfish, snapper, sea bream) cooked roasted, in foil, steamed or stewed
If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, one of these two servings should be a fatty fish such as salmon, sardines or mackerel. There are certain types of fish you should avoid (like shark or swordfish) due to their mercury content.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.