Babies Tale

Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. Junk food can be harmful in pregnancy because it does not provide enough of the vitamins and nutrients the growing baby needs. It is also high in salt and other additives. That increases stress on the liver and kidneys, which have to eliminate the excess sodium from the body. If you eat the right foods, you will be doing the best for your baby. Your doctor may have you take a prenatal vitamin in addition. Be careful of taking large quantities of vitamin supplements otherwise, because some vitamins, notably vitamin A, can be harmful if taken in excess. Also, if you eat healthfully you won’t need to worry about whether you’re putting on the right amount of weight or not; your body will do that automatically.

Weight Gain

It is normal to gain weight in pregnancy. Most additional weight appears during the second three months. The increased weight is the weight of the baby, the placenta, the waters surrounding the baby, increased fluid and tissue in the breasts as they prepare to produce milk, and a greater quantity of blood circulating in the body. Some women also experience fluid retention, which will adjust itself after the baby is born.A normal weight gain during pregnancy is 20 to 30 pounds (9 to 13.5 kg). Some women gain less, others more-this can be normal, too. If you are planning to breast-feed your baby, remember that you will be laying down some stores of fat to feed your new baby and that the pounds will roll off as you produce milk.

Doctors used to worry a lot about “excessive” weight gain in pregnancy, because it can put an additional strain on the body, making high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems more likely. However, this situation was largely a reaction to the exhortations previously made to women to “eat for two;” that is, very heartily. But aiming for the other extreme and trying to stay slim in pregnancy is equally harmful.

It is particularly damaging to try to diet and lose weight in pregnancy unless you are overweight and under medical supervision, because you may be denying your baby vital nourishment. Again, eating the right food is the key. If you eat well, you will feel well, be less inclined to want to “fill up” on sweet things, and your body will gain and shed weight naturally during and after the pregnancy.

A Healthful Diet

A healthful diet means eating a balanced combination of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. This can be achieved by eating reasonable quantities of fresh meat and fish, eggs, pasteurized cheese and milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread and cereals. Fresh green vegetables in particular are full of the minerals and vitamins your body and your baby need.

Avoid Junk Food

• Avoid foods with “empty” calories, such as:
• Highly refined, sugary cakes and other desserts
• Sweet carbonated drinks
• Cookies
• Fried and fatty foods, such as potato chips and creamy dips
• Salty foods (they encourage fluid retention)
• Drinks such as coffee, tea and cocoa
• All alcoholic beverages

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