Pregnancy and Nutrition
By: Alexis Stack
Things to know during pregnancies
While you are pregnant, you have many things to worry about besides yourself. There's proper weight gain, the nutrition, how the health of the baby and yourself, how much vitamins and minerals you need, and healthy eating habits for you and the baby.
Healthy snack ideas
Peanut butter and apples, Popcorn..NOT from the movie theater, make it at home!! Any type of fruit smoothies, Whole grain waffles and peanut butter, Salsa and chips..all of these are very healthy snack and wont harm the baby. You don't want anything to harm the baby or yourself just by something you eat.
Proper weight gain
Under weight: (BMI < 18.5) 28 to 40 lbs
Normal Weight: (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) 25 to 35 lbs
Over weight: (BMI 25 to 29.9) 15 to 25 lbs
Obese: (BMI 30 or more) 11 to 20 lbs
(BMI- Body Mass Intake)
This is for the "normal" weight gain. It all depends on how tall you are, how much you weigh, and your health history.
Empty calorie and Nutrient density
Empty calories are not healthy for you. All they are are calories from solid fats and/or added sugars. This type of snack is usually candy bars or doughnuts. Nutrient dense food contains high levels of nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins and minerals...How much??
The vitamins and minerals you take while you are pregnant, are healthy for you. Your body uses vitamins and minerals from food to keep you and the baby strong and healthy. Take a vitamin pill everyday while your pregnant and you wont have to worry about not getting enough of what you need to keep the baby healthy. Folic acid, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, DHA, and Iodine are all nutrients you need while you are pregnant.
Bad Snack Ideas
If you consider beer a snack...think again. First- it is a drink, second- it is not a good thing to drink while pregnant, it can cause many birth defects to the baby and cause many health problems. Regular chips and Cheetos. Any packaged frozen snacks, Chicken nuggets, Cheese and club crackers. They may all sound goof, but they are very harmful to you and the baby while you are pregnant.
Tips for eating Healthy
Never forget breakfast, Eat foods with fiber, Choose healthy snacks, take a prenatal vitamin with Iron and Folic acid, Stay away from soft cheeses and lunch meat, limit caffeine and avoid alcohol.