PREGNANCY NUTRITION TOP TIPS
Suffering from morning sickness? Eating at least a small breakfast can help reduce the symptoms, we have some scrummy recipes you can try. You also don’t have to cut out your morning coffee, but it’s recommended to not have more than 200mg of caffeine a day.
Most expecting mums think that they need to eat for two when pregnant, but they only need an extra 200 calories a day in their last trimester when their babies weight increases to get ready for birth. That’s the equivalent of two small bananas a day, so not as much as you may think!
A baby’s first food is the amniotic fluid in the womb & what you eat when pregnant will change its flavour. Babies remember the flavours they first tasted there & appear to like them more. So eating a varied diet whilst expecting is great for their development in learning to love more foods!
WHAT TO EAT WHEN PREGNANT
VItamin D
This keeps bones, teeth and muscles healthy as well as immune systems. It can be found in oily fish such as salmon, eggs. as well as red meat. It’s really tricky to get the amount you need from food alone, so the NHS advises all adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, take a supplement containing 10 mcg.
Iron
Found in red meat, beans, nuts dried fruit and most dark-green leafy veggie to help make healthy red blood cells. During your last trimester your digestive system will adapt to absorb about 50% more iron than it did at the beginning of your pregnancy. Your body is naturally very clever!
Calcium
Helps build strong bones and teeth. You can find it in milk and dairy foods like cheese and yogurt, also build up your plate with veggies like kale, cabbage and broccoli trees as these contain a significant amount too.
Omega 3s
Are fatty acids that are needed for your babies’ brain and eye development. Eating oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines once or twice a week will provide you and your bump with all you need. Your body will accumulate the additional long-chain omega-3’s to fuel the rapid brain growth that occurs in the last trimester.
Folic acid
For healthy blood cells and can help reduce birth defects, such as spina bifida. Find this in your broccoli trees, oranges as well as some cereals which are fortified with it. It's important to take as a supplement, especially in your first trimester.
Protein
Experts recommend eating some protein-rich foods every day. These can include; meat, fish, poultry, beans nuts and pulses. As protein positively affects the growth of fetal tissue, including the brain as well as playing a role in increasing your blood supply.
STAYING HYDARTED DURING PREGNANCY
Staying hydrated during pregnancy is extremely important - you need to drink six to eight medium (200ml) glasses of fluid a day. All drinks count, including hot drinks. Drinking enough will help keep you feeling well and will also help with some common pregnancy problems, such as constipation and tiredness.
WHAT TO AVOID WHEN PREGNANT
Make sure you also understand which foods to avoid when pregnant to avoid any unnecessary risks.