when you are pregnant, your body needs additional nutrients. some of the nutrients that are especially more required are protein, calcium, iron and folic acid. all these nutrients will help your unborn baby grow and develop properly. so make sure you speak to your doctor about the specific requirements and the supplements you need to take.
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Protein is crucial for your baby's growth throughout pregnancy.
In fact, during pregnancy the basic principles of healthy eating remain the same — get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats.
Vitamin D also helps build your baby's bones and teeth.
Good sources: Fortified cereals are great sources of folic acid. Leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and dried beans and peas are good sources of naturally occurring folate.
You and your baby need calcium for strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems run normally.
Good sources: Dairy products are the best absorbed sources of calcium. Nondairy sources include broccoli and kale. Many fruit juices and breakfast cereals are fortified with calcium, too.
Iron — Prevent iron deficiency anemia. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. During pregnancy, you need double the amount of iron that nonpregnant women need. Your body needs this iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby.
Vitamin D . Vitamin D impacts a pregnant woman’s blood pressure, brain function, immunity and mood which is why it is important for women to ensure they are consuming sufficient Vitamin D within their diets.
During pregnancy, a mother’s body actually uses calcium from her own bones to support the development of her little one. This is why calcium supplementation is imperative during pregnancy; in addition to supporting the bone development of the baby, it also helps to prevent bone loss in the mother.
Thyroid hormones are required for healthy brain function and brain development, so it is crucial that the mother supplements with iodine ensure she avoids any deficiencies in this nutrient. Iodine deficiencies have been linked to irregularities in brain development and complications during delivery.
Iron. Anemia, or the condition where your blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells typically due to low iron levels, has been shown to cause serious complications during delivery. A lack of red blood cells or dysfunctional red blood cells can lead to reduced oxygen flow to organs, as well as the baby.
You’re essentially working overtime growing a little human being, and while a healthy, balanced diet is very much needed to ensure you’re compensating for this additional energy expenditure, adequate supplementation is imperative to make sure you’ re meeting your higher prenatal nutrient needs. Supplementation does vary depending on ...
With this said, many women have experienced specific nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy that have shown to be highly dangerous to both the baby and the mother if gone unnoticed.
While medical professionals recommend supplementing with folate before, during and after pregnancy, it has been shown to be especially essential for the healthy development of the fetus during the earlier stages of pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association recommends Fairhaven Health’s selection of supplements .
Other nutrients are necessary to keep you thriving during your pregnancy like choline, salt, and B vitamins.
Takeaway. Make sure you’re eating a balanced and nutritious diet during your pregnancy so you and your growing baby can be as healthy as possible. Include whole, nourishing foods, and limit your intake of foods without good nutritional value like processed and fast foods.
Micronutrients are dietary components, such as vitamins and minerals, that are only required in relatively small amounts. Macronutrients are nutrients that provide calories, or energy. We’re talking carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. You’ll need to eat more of each type of nutrient during pregnancy.
Your doctor can suggest other foods or supplements to compensate for the lack of those nutrients in your diet.
Cravings and aversions. Weight gain. Exercise. Takeaway. Share on Pinterest. As you probably know, your body goes through lots of physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy. To fuel yourself and your growing baby, you’ll need to make great food choices from a variety of sources. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help you feel good ...
The food you eat is your baby’s main source of nourishment, so it’s critical to get all of the nutrients you need.
If you didn’t exercise before your pregnancy, start out slowly and don’t overdo it. Consider looking into some exercises or classes that focus specifically on pregnant people for extra support.