what are the best nutrients for pregnancy ?
Vitamin B9 - Folate - Folate is essential in pregnancy to help with the development of body cells, and the genetic information thats in the body cells. Folate also obtains the main role of preventing spin bifida whih is a spine defect that occurs at birth when the spinal cord gets caught in with the backbone and can cause defects with lower limbs. Folate is needed during pregnancy more then any other time in a persons life because it is a time where your body and your baby are growing and having Spina bifida is very common in babies which is why it is essential to have plenty of folate during pregnancy to stop this disability from occurring. Folate can also help with supporting the placenta which is important because its the area where the baby grows and needs to be strong. The types of foods that supply folate are green leafy vegetables, oranges, strawberries, beetroots, organ meats and yeast.
Protein - Protein helps in the production of amino acids which are a strain of protein atoms. It also helps repair cells. Having the correct amount of protein in your diet will link with having the correct about of folate in your diet, because folate helps develop cells protein helps repair the cells that get damaged so both the nutrients are important in helping each other. Protein is found in meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, legumes and some vegetables such as beans.
Lipids - Lipids are fat cells called adapts tissue and they are key in your diet for storing energy, help to carry the fat soluble vitamins through your blood such as vitamins A,D,E and K. Lipids are important during pregnancy because of the fact that they help with brain development, this is important because your child is growing every day and will be able to use this source as well. lipids will also help with developing your child's messages to and from the brain and nerves. Sources of lipids are meat, fish and dairy products.
Carbohydrates - Carbohydrates are known for giving the body energy which is especially needed through one of the biggest growth times of your life, pregnancy. You many not no it nor feel it but your body is constantly using up energy during pregnancy because of course you are creating another human inside of you. Having the appropriate amount of carbohydrates in your diet is important to your body can function while it is working. Having all three types of carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides (Saccharide means sugar) is important so that your body has an equal amount. These terms mean one sugar, two sugars and many sugars. Sources of carbohydrates are Breads, pasta, pastries most products.
Water - Water is still classified as a nutrient even though it has no energy in it. Without water in our body most of our bodily functions wouldn't work because water acts as a lubricant and is in everything part of our body. It is said that half our body weight is water.
during pregnancy you will need water the same as every day but the water is also going to your baby as well and if your not getting enough water it can effect your child's developing bodily functions. Water is also great because it controls your body temperatures. Other than drinking water on its own there are other sources of water in foods and drinks such as, tea, coffee, juices, most fruits especially watermelon.
Iron - Having iron in your diet when pregnant is one of the most important nutrients you can have, because iron is good for your red blood cells. Your blood is full of iron and not having enough of the mineral will leave you anaemic. During pregnancy having enough iron will help with the production of haemoglobin and will prevent low birth weights, not having enough iron when pregnant can cause premature delivery of your baby. The main food sources of iron are red meats such as beef and lamb but iron is also found in spinach, nuts, dried beans and certain grains such as oats.
Calcium - Throughout pregnancy you need calcium but the most important time is the third trimester because your babies bones are needed to get stronger because he or she will be born soon. Luckily during pregnancy you are easily absorbing more calcium then usual so your baby will have all the calcium that it needs to form healthy bones. Some sources of calcium are yoghurt, milk, cheese mainly all dairy products and some leafy greens.
Nutritional problems during pregnancy
During pregnancy it is important that your nutrition and health is maintained to help your baby get the best start in life. Sometimes women think they are "eating for two" which is not true, so as they keep thinking this they are eating more and more and are putting themselves at risk for nutritional problems. Some common problems are gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and spina bifida.
Gestational Diabetes is a strain of diabetes that is caused by the over production of insulin in your body. gestational diabetes only occurs in pregnancy because when pregnant your energy needs increase therefore some women find the need to eat more carbohydrates, because of the increase of sugars going into your body if your body can't keep up with the insulin production of produces to much insulin you can contract gestational diabetes.
Preeclampsia is another nutritional problem during pregnancy, it is caused by high blood pressure which comes from the over use of sodium in your diet. It also comes from a high protein diet during pregnancy, if you are having to much protein in your diet your body doesn't know what to do with it and therefore tries to find an escape through the urine. Having this problem will cause you to swell up and have a high and fast increase in weight, it will also cause the flow of oxygen and to your baby to slow down and can cause birth defects.
Spina bifida is a birth defect in babies that occurs in the womb. It happens when a child doesn't get enough folate which helps form body cells, the cells of the spine don't form correctly and ends up being split because the spinal column doesn't close up the entire way. This leaves the child with disabilities that can range from paralysation or not being able to walk properly.
Protein - Protein helps in the production of amino acids which are a strain of protein atoms. It also helps repair cells. Having the correct amount of protein in your diet will link with having the correct about of folate in your diet, because folate helps develop cells protein helps repair the cells that get damaged so both the nutrients are important in helping each other. Protein is found in meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, legumes and some vegetables such as beans.
Lipids - Lipids are fat cells called adapts tissue and they are key in your diet for storing energy, help to carry the fat soluble vitamins through your blood such as vitamins A,D,E and K. Lipids are important during pregnancy because of the fact that they help with brain development, this is important because your child is growing every day and will be able to use this source as well. lipids will also help with developing your child's messages to and from the brain and nerves. Sources of lipids are meat, fish and dairy products.
Carbohydrates - Carbohydrates are known for giving the body energy which is especially needed through one of the biggest growth times of your life, pregnancy. You many not no it nor feel it but your body is constantly using up energy during pregnancy because of course you are creating another human inside of you. Having the appropriate amount of carbohydrates in your diet is important to your body can function while it is working. Having all three types of carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides (Saccharide means sugar) is important so that your body has an equal amount. These terms mean one sugar, two sugars and many sugars. Sources of carbohydrates are Breads, pasta, pastries most products.
Water - Water is still classified as a nutrient even though it has no energy in it. Without water in our body most of our bodily functions wouldn't work because water acts as a lubricant and is in everything part of our body. It is said that half our body weight is water.
during pregnancy you will need water the same as every day but the water is also going to your baby as well and if your not getting enough water it can effect your child's developing bodily functions. Water is also great because it controls your body temperatures. Other than drinking water on its own there are other sources of water in foods and drinks such as, tea, coffee, juices, most fruits especially watermelon.
Iron - Having iron in your diet when pregnant is one of the most important nutrients you can have, because iron is good for your red blood cells. Your blood is full of iron and not having enough of the mineral will leave you anaemic. During pregnancy having enough iron will help with the production of haemoglobin and will prevent low birth weights, not having enough iron when pregnant can cause premature delivery of your baby. The main food sources of iron are red meats such as beef and lamb but iron is also found in spinach, nuts, dried beans and certain grains such as oats.
Calcium - Throughout pregnancy you need calcium but the most important time is the third trimester because your babies bones are needed to get stronger because he or she will be born soon. Luckily during pregnancy you are easily absorbing more calcium then usual so your baby will have all the calcium that it needs to form healthy bones. Some sources of calcium are yoghurt, milk, cheese mainly all dairy products and some leafy greens.
Nutritional problems during pregnancy
During pregnancy it is important that your nutrition and health is maintained to help your baby get the best start in life. Sometimes women think they are "eating for two" which is not true, so as they keep thinking this they are eating more and more and are putting themselves at risk for nutritional problems. Some common problems are gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and spina bifida.
Gestational Diabetes is a strain of diabetes that is caused by the over production of insulin in your body. gestational diabetes only occurs in pregnancy because when pregnant your energy needs increase therefore some women find the need to eat more carbohydrates, because of the increase of sugars going into your body if your body can't keep up with the insulin production of produces to much insulin you can contract gestational diabetes.
Preeclampsia is another nutritional problem during pregnancy, it is caused by high blood pressure which comes from the over use of sodium in your diet. It also comes from a high protein diet during pregnancy, if you are having to much protein in your diet your body doesn't know what to do with it and therefore tries to find an escape through the urine. Having this problem will cause you to swell up and have a high and fast increase in weight, it will also cause the flow of oxygen and to your baby to slow down and can cause birth defects.
Spina bifida is a birth defect in babies that occurs in the womb. It happens when a child doesn't get enough folate which helps form body cells, the cells of the spine don't form correctly and ends up being split because the spinal column doesn't close up the entire way. This leaves the child with disabilities that can range from paralysation or not being able to walk properly.