Diet for Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy and lactation are the two phases of women’s life, when nutrition is very important as healthy eating gives babies all the essential nutrients and protects them from many ailments.
Pregnancy:
Acidity, heartburn, constipation, anaemia, excess weight gain, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, neural tube defects, low birth weight etc are few of the common health concerns to be addressed medically and nutritionally.
- A healthy pregnancy diet will promote your baby's growth and development.
- Optimal weight gains in pregnancy ensures a healthy-sized baby. Underweight women should gain more weight and modest weight gain is recommended for overweight women.
- Folic Acid supplement is recommended to avoid neural tube defects in babies.
- Mother and your baby need calcium for strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems.
- Vitamin D is important for bone strength of the mother and also helps build baby's bones and teeth.
- Protein promotes growth and is crucial for your baby's growth throughout pregnancy.
- Iron prevents iron deficiency anemia. A mother needs extra iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to the baby and to her own body. Anaemia during pregnancy increases risk of premature birth and low birth weight babies.
Lactation:
During lactation food is as important as pregnancy. Adding ample of fruits and vegetables, low fat milk products, whole grains, pulses, low fat meats, fish or poultry and reducing sugar based food helps in regaining the shape and good health of mother as well as baby.
Foods to limit
- Avoid or limit caffeine.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- Limit foods high in sugar and fat. Include healthy fats.
- Foods that contain more salt and preservatives.
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RD Smita Nanda
Nutrition Consultant