Contents:
- Medical Video: Gestational Diabetes: Managing Risk During and After Pregnancy Video - Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- A variety of healthy food choices for pregnant women
- 1. Milk-based foods and drinks
- 2. Nuts
- 3. Sweet Potato
- 4. Salmon
- 5. Eggs
- 6. Broccoli and other green vegetables
- 7. Meat
- 8. Drink lots of water
Medical Video: Gestational Diabetes: Managing Risk During and After Pregnancy Video - Brigham and Women’s Hospital
During pregnancy, food and maternal stamina must be maintained. Especially at the second trimester of pregnancy and third trimester. Pregnant women need an additional intake of up to 300 to 500 calories a day. Incorrect eating or lack of nutrients during pregnancy will have an impact on the development of the baby. Then what are the healthy foods for pregnant women that are good for fetal development?
A variety of healthy food choices for pregnant women
1. Milk-based foods and drinks
Healthy food for pregnant women is the first food or drink made from milk. Dairy products, especially yogurt, is the right choice for those of you who are pregnant. You can also consume milk and cheese regularly.
Milk can help meet the needs of protein and calcium for the mother and fetus. While probiotic milk products such as yogurt can help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy.
2. Nuts
Soybeans, peanuts, beans, and peas are the types of beans that can be used as sources folic acid, fiber, protein, iron, and calcium that the body needs during pregnancy.
These nutrients are very important for the health of the mother and the fetus, especially in first trimester. Folic acid, protein, and calcium can prevent the risk of some conditions for birth defects and diseases in babies at birth.
3. Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are one of the healthy foods for pregnant women that contain vitamin A. Well, vitamin A is very important for cell and tissue growth in the fetus. When pregnant, women are generally advised to increase vitamin A intake by 10 to 40 percent of their daily needs.
However, intake of vitamin A should not be too much, because it will cause poisoning. Vitamin A in vegetables and tubers is important for cell growth and development in a growing fetus.
4. Salmon
Salmon is a source of animal vitamins that must be used as a healthy food for pregnant women. Salmon contains important omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, which are important for brain and eye development in growing babies. Salmon is also a natural source of vitamin D that is good for mother and baby.
However, pregnant women should consume salmon that has been cooked until cooked. Don't eat raw salmon, like sushi or sashimi. Immature fish meat is at risk of contamination with various types of bacteria that endanger fetal growth.
5. Eggs
Eggs are a healthy food for pregnant women that are nutritious and easy to obtain. Eggs are good for increasing overall nutritional intake. In addition, in eggs there is also choline, which is an essential nutrient for brain health and fetal development.
6. Broccoli and other green vegetables
Broccoli and green leafy vegetables, usually contain a large portion of the nutrients needed by pregnant women. These food sources also contain fiber which can help prevent or treat constipation.
The nutrients contained in vegetables include vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, iron, folate, and potassium. Also note that broccoli and green vegetables contain antioxidants that are beneficial to the immune system and digestion
7. Meat
Beef, fish meat and chicken are high quality sources of protein. In addition, there is iron in the meat as an important mineral used by red blood cells. Red blood cells play an important role in delivering oxygen to all cells in the body.
Therefore pregnant women need more iron, because their blood volume also increases during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester.
However, meat can be a healthy food for pregnant women if it is cooked until it is fully cooked and in a hygienic way.
8. Drink lots of water
Water is one of the things that must be consumed during pregnancy. Because the blood volume of pregnant women will increase to 1.5 liters. Therefore, it is important to maintain good body fluid balance.
Symptoms of mild dehydration in pregnant women include headache, anxiety, fatigue, mood disorder, and so on forget quickly. Drinking enough water is important, because blood volume increases during pregnancy. Drinking enough water can also help prevent constipation and urinary tract infections during pregnancy.
