Pregnancy Nutrition is important for baby and mother. Pregnant women do not need to go on a special diet, but it’s important to eat a variety of different foods every day to get the right balance of nutrients that they and their baby need. It’s best to get vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat, but when you’re pregnant you need to take a folic acid supplement as well, to make sure you get everything you need.
There’s no need to “eat for 2” Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables because these provide vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, which helps digestion and can help prevent constipation.
Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day – these can include fresh, frozen, canned, dried, or juiced. Always wash fresh fruit and vegetables carefully. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables because these provide vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, which helps digestion and can help prevent constipation.
Starchy foods are an important source of energy, some vitamins, and fiber, and help you to feel full without containing too many calories. They include bread, potatoes, breakfast cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, maize, millet, oats, yams, and cornmeal. If you are having chips, go for oven chips lower in fat and salt.
These foods should make up just over a 3rd of the food you eat. Instead of refined starchy (white) food, choose wholegrain or higher-fiber options such as wholewheat pasta, brown rice or simply leaving the skins on potatoes.
Eat some protein-rich foods every day. Some kind of important proteins Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat (but avoid liver), poultry, nuts.
Dairy foods such as milk, cheese, fromage frais, and yogurt are important in pregnancy because they contain calcium and other nutrients that you and your baby need.
Choose low-fat varieties wherever possible, such as semi-skimmed, 1 percent fat or skimmed milk, low-fat and lower-sugar yogurt, and reduced-fat hard cheese.
If you prefer dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks and yogurts, go for unsweetened, calcium-fortified versions. You can ask your questions about Pregnancy Nutrition to Dr. Banu Göker Özdemir.
If you want to review our blog post about nutrition in pregnancy, you can find it here.