A Healthy Eating Plan for Pregnancy

A Healthy Eating Plan for Pregnancy

July 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

When you are pregnant, good nutrition is more important than ever before. Your baby is depending on you to provide everything necessary for normal growth and development. Because the baby will draw on your body’s stores of important vitamins and minerals, you must be sure to replace them through your diet. It’s important to be extra-cautious with those nutrients that the body isn’t able to produce or store on its own; these must be replaced on a daily basis.

A Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet from a variety of food choices in the best way to ensure adequate nutrition for yourself and for baby. Fill up on healthy choices such as fruits and vegetables, and avoid empty calories from sugary choices. You will need to eat from all of the food groups every day, in the appropriate amounts, so it will require close attention to what you are consuming.

Nutrients of Special Importance During Pregnancy

The job of growing a little person in your womb requires certain nutrients more than you might previously have been consuming them. Make sure you are getting enough of these key nutrients for a healthy baby:

  • Folate or folic acid: Found in leafy greens such as spinach and kale, folate has been shown to greatly reduce the likelihood of a number of birth defects, including spina bifida. Pregnant women should increase their intake of foods rich in folate early on – in fact it’s a good idea when you are just starting to try to conceive.
  • Calcium: Your baby is developing his new bones, and this will require a great deal of calcium to make them grow strong. Pregnant women should get extra calcium to prevent the baby from depleting their body’s stores.
  • Iron: Women often become anemic during pregnancy as the baby draws on the body’s iron supply.

Of course, these are just a few of the many nutrients vital to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Every vitamin and mineral should be represented in your diet, as well as the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

Prenatal Supplements

Almost every woman will be told to take a prenatal supplement throughout their pregnancy. Especially when you are feeling ill in the first trimester, this can help your body to continue feeding the growing child. Making sure you are getting everything your baby needs by taking a supplement is a good safeguard against oversights in your diet.

While prenatal supplements are available over the counter, you can also ask your doctor to write you a prescription. These supplements may be of higher quality, and as an added bonus, your insurance plan will likely cover the cost.

Weight Loss and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body will naturally gain weight. It is never a good idea to cut calories or attempt to lose weight while you are pregnant. If you are concerned about your weight gain, talk to your doctor. Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and replace them with healthy choices to keep from putting on unnecessary pounds. If you are eating a balanced diet during your pregnancy, you should not gain weight at more than the normal rate. If you feel this is the case, it is possible you have gestational diabetes. Most women will be tested for this during pregnancy, but if you have not been and are concerned, ask your doctor.

Eating right during pregnancy is vital to a healthy mother and baby too. Throughout your pregnancy, take extra care to ensure your diet contains everything your baby needs.

Prenatal Supplements: Over the Counter and Prescription

Prenatal Supplements: Over the Counter and Prescription

July 10th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Almost all women will be told to take a prenatal supplement every day throughout her pregnancy. This multivitamin contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to support a growing baby. Because it can be difficult to get everything you need through your diet, prenatal supplements can fill in the nutritional gaps and ensure that your body is getting what it requires.

Some doctors will merely remind you to take a prenatal supplement, while others may choose to write you a prescription. What is the difference? There are a few things that differentiate these two supplements, which may sway your decision.

The Cost

Depending on your insurance plan, one or the other of these options may be more cost-effective for you. Over the counter (OTC) supplements are as a general rule less costly, however many health plans will cover prescription supplements, which could bring the cost down to similar or less than the OTC choice. Check with your health plan to determine what your cost would be. If you can’t get your supplements covered, you may be able to use funds from a flexible spending account to pay for them. Check with your HR department or health plan. For many women, OTC supplements may be the more affordable choice, but that should be weighed against the other benefits of a prescription.

The Amounts of Certain Vitamins and Minerals

Prescription supplements, because they are more closely scrutinized by the FDA, can carry larger amounts of such important nutrients as folic acid and iron. This FDA examination may also mean the formulas are safer, although all supplements on the market must be approved by the FDA before hitting the shelves.

The Research

Prescription supplements are created and sold by large drug companies, who have the time and money to put in a great deal of research and improve their formula. Prescription supplements will have the latest approved and tested combinations and amounts of essential vitamins and minerals.

Tolerance of Supplements

Because of the higher amounts of vitamins and minerals, some women may find it difficult to tolerate prescription supplements. They may cause nausea or constipation. This does not happen as often with OTC supplements, as they contain smaller amounts of all of the ingredients. Still, some women have difficulty with OTC choices as well. The key to finding the right supplement for you is to try several options until you find one your body can tolerate. There is no point in continuing to take a supplement that is making you sick, whether prescription or OTC. If you are having trouble with your prescribed supplement, talk to your doctor before making the switch to OTC. There may be another prescription choice that is better for you and your baby.

Choosing an OTC Supplement

If you decide to go with an OTC supplement, choose one that is made by a well known company, and is approved by the FDA. Be wary of supplements that have not been tested or approved by the FDA, as there is no way of knowing whether the ingredients or their amounts are safe. This includes natural or herbal supplements. It’s best to talk to your doctor before taking any supplement during your pregnancy.

There are pros and cons to both over the counter and prescription supplements, so work with your doctor to decide what is right for you and your particular situation. Every woman and every pregnancy is a little different, so what is right for one woman may not be right for another. With a little effort, you can find a supplement that works for you.

Nutrition for Mom and Baby

Nutrition for Mom and Baby

July 8th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

When you find out you are pregnant, it is time to take a good look at your nutrition. Eating foods that provide all of the vitamins and minerals your baby needs is absolutely vital during pregnancy, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are eating.

During pregnancy, your body is undergoing major changes and a great deal of strain. It’s important to keep it functioning at peak performance to support the growing life in your womb as well as keep yourself healthy. The best way to do this is with proper nutrition.

Why You Need Good Nutrition

The baby inside you will draw all of the necessary vitamins and minerals from your body through the placenta. This means that your body’s stores of these important nutrients will quickly become depleted if you are not replacing them every day. There are some vitamins and minerals that the body can not produce nor store, therefore you must provide them through your diet. Your baby will take what is needed without regard for what your body requires to function, so you must be conscientious about good nutrition to be sure you can continue to support your growing baby as well as keep your own body healthy.

Keys to Good Nutrition

The number one key to getting all the nutrients both you and your baby need is to eat a varied diet of foods that are nutrient-rich. Including all kinds of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean proteins and whole grains in your diet will give your body the range of vitamins and minerals required. Eat the proper number of servings from all of the food groups, and choose different options from each throughout the week. Each food can provide a different mix of nutrients, and keeping your diet varied will make sure you are getting the most out of the foods you eat.

Removing unhealthy foods that don’t offer much in the way of nutrition from your diet is vital during pregnancy. To make sure that you and baby are getting everything you need, you should make sure every food you eat has some benefit for your body and your baby. Skip high-calorie, low-nutrition foods such as fast food, sugary foods, sodas and junk food like potato chips and candy. It’s ok to have a treat once in a while, but remember that these foods aren’t doing you or your baby any good.

Don’t forget beverages! What you drink can also help to provide you with good nutrition. Choose low-fat milk, 100% juices, and remember to drink plenty of water as well. Hydration is important for you and your baby too!

Prenatal Vitamins

You should take a prenatal vitamin to fill in any gaps in your diet and ensure you get the right amounts of all of the vitamins and minerals. Make sure your vitamin provides everything you need – discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist before making a purchase. You can get your vitamins both over the counter or with a prescription from your doctor; as long as you make sure they contain everything you need.

If you don’t eat properly, your baby doesn’t eat properly either. Keep in mind that everything that goes into your body goes into baby’s body as well. Since you baby can’t make good choices, you will have to be the one to make them for you both.

Pregnancy – Other Nutrients of Note

Pregnancy – Other Nutrients of Note

July 7th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Aside from the macronutrients (fat, protein and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that are required for survival, there are other nutrients that have recently raised interest for their potential impact on health. Although they are not all necessary for life, there are some interesting discoveries being made regarding their ability to fight off cancer and heart disease.

Phytochemicals

Also sometimes called phytonutrients, these are chemical compounds found in plants. Phytochemicals make up a plant’s natural defense system against disease. These compounds can be found in many fruits, vegetables and nuts. Phytochemicals are believed to have a number of effects including anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Many phytochemicals are also antioxidants, which are known to be essential in the fight against cancer.

Of the many phytochemicals, the most well known are a group known as caretenoids, which include lycopene, beta- carotene, and lutein. These are very powerful antioxidants with a number of health benefits including fighting cancer and protecting the heart, skin, and more. These phytochemicals can be found in foods like mango, apricot, sweet potato, carrots, broccoli and spinach. Beta-carotene is known as a provitamin, because it can be converted into Vitamin A, which is important for many body functions.

Many other plants and herbs also contain phytochemicals, which may be responsible for their popular use as natural medicines and preventatives. Echinacea, ginseng, and valerian are among these plants.

Antioxidants

Not all antioxidants come in the form of phytochemicals. They also appear in vitamins and minerals as well. In recent years, antioxidants have been the major buzzword in anti-aging and disease prevention.

Antioxidants slow the damaging effects of oxygen on cells. In much the same way that you can use lemon juice to prevent a cut apple from turning brown, antioxidants slow the oxidative process in your body. They are also thought to be important in stopping the damage caused by free radicals, which are molecules that are produced from the breakdown of food and also from pollutants such as cigarette smoke. These free radicals can attack our cells and lead to cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants can help to prevent this from happening.

Antioxidants can be found in foods such as blueberries, raspberries, grapes, cherries and also spinach, broccoli, and garlic. Tea is also an excellent source of antioxidants. While it is true that dark chocolate and red wine also provide good sources of antioxidants, bear in mind that these things are not good for the body if consumed in large amounts, and certainly aren’t good choices during pregnancy.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Although these actually fall under the category of fats, they have been in the news so much lately for their health benefits that they deserve a mention of their own. Found mostly in fish such as salmon and tuna, these essential fatty acids protect the heart and can also lower the risk of cancer, arthritis and other ailments.

Many people do not get enough Omega-3’s in their diet, and there has been a recent push to add them to all kinds of foods and also in supplement form. The most common supplements are fish and flaxseed oil. Eating at least two servings a week of fish should meet your Omega-3 needs, but use caution to avoid fish high in mercury. Other food sources of Omega-3’s include olive oil and nuts such as almonds.

Including these nutrients in your diet will help to keep you healthy and avoid many chronic illnesses.

A Vegetarian Diet During Pregnancy

A Vegetarian Diet During Pregnancy

July 7th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

If you are a vegetarian, there is no reason not to continue following your diet during pregnancy. As with any pregnancy diet, you should make sure that you are consuming enough of all of the required nutrients and enough calories to support your growing baby. Depending on the type of vegetarian diet you follow, you may need to make a few adjustments to ensure that the baby is getting everything required for normal development.

Some of the challenges to vegetarians can be getting enough protein, calcium, iron and vitamin D. It is possible to obtain most of these through a vegetarian diet, but during your pregnancy you will have to be even more vigilant to ensure that you are ingesting adequate amounts.

Getting Enough Protein

If you have been following a vegetarian diet for some time, you have probably already adjusted your intake to provide good sources of protein. Include nuts, soy products, legumes and tofu in your diet. Contrary to previous recommendations, the AAP no longer recommends against eating peanut butter during pregnancy to avoid allergies. New evidence indicates this is safe, and vegetarians can use peanut butter as a good source of protein during pregnancy.

Calcium and Vitamin D

If you follow the strictest of vegetarian diets, veganism, then getting calcium and vitamin D from milk and other dairy products are not an option for you. Look for orange juices fortified with both, as well as other foods that may have these two vital nutrients added. Calcium can but obtained through a number of foods other than dairy, such as spinach and broccoli, but vitamin D is needed to help your body use the calcium. Vitamin D can be obtained via sun exposure, but use caution. Your skin may be more sensitive to the sun during pregnancy due to elevated levels of estrogen. You may need a supplement to ensure you are getting enough vitamin D.

Iron and the Vegetarian Diet

Getting enough iron during pregnancy is vital to both your health and that of your baby. If you don’t plan to eat any meat to provide iron, you should be sure to include other iron rich foods in your diet. Look to leafy greens, peanuts, beans, peas and iron fortified foods. You may need an iron supplement during your pregnancy if your doctor finds your levels to be too low during a routine test.

Other Important Foods to Include

Some vegetarian diets include fish, an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids. If you do not consume fish, look for these important fatty acids in other sources such as almond and olive oil. Because it can be hard to get enough of this vital nutrient without fish, you might consider taking a supplement. Another important vitamin that might be lacking in a vegetarian diet is Vitamin B12. Because it is mostly found in animal products, you should take a supplement to make sure you get enough.

As with any diet, you should use caution during pregnancy to make sure that you are getting the right number of calories. After the first trimester, you will require additional calories to help your baby grow. Use caution, however, as consuming too many calories can lead to excess weight gain and other problems. Eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods to make sure you get all the vitamins you need.

If you have concerns about your vegetarian diet during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor to help determine whether or not you need supplements.

Pre-Pregnancy Folic Acid and Prevention of Birth Defects

Pre-Pregnancy Folic Acid and Prevention of Birth Defects

July 5th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

While many of us know how important good nutrition is during pregnancy, not everyone is aware of the impact your diet prior to the pregnancy can have on the baby. Of the many steps any woman planning to conceive should take, adding certain nutrients to her diet is one of the most important.

One of these nutrients is folate, a B vitamin that has been shown to help prevent birth defects including neural tube defects such as spina bifida and also cleft lip and palate. Folate has the largest effect on preventing these defects when taken prior to and in the very early stages of pregnancy.

Folate and Folic Acid

Folate is the term used to describe the naturally occurring version of this vitamin in foods such as fruits and vegetables. When you hear the term folic acid, this refers to the synthetic version of the vitamin which is used to fortify foods and also appears in supplements. Thus, when you look for this important nutrient on the list of vitamins in your prenatal supplement, it will appear as folic acid.

How long before pregnancy should folate be increased?

To get the full preventative effects of folate, you should start increasing your intake at least one month prior to pregnancy. However, folate is very good for you, and there is no reason not to increase your intake even if you don’t plan to become pregnant for some time. Not only will it improve your own health, but should a surprise pregnancy occur your body will be ready. It’s a good idea for all women of childbearing age to include extra folate in their diet, or take a supplement that includes folic acid. You should continue to get enough folic acid throughout the first trimester of pregnancy at least, but continuing right through your pregnancy will be good for both you and baby, especially since folate has also been linked with preventing premature birth.

How much folate do I need?

Women should get at least 400 micrograms of folate each day prior to pregnancy, and should increase that amount to 600 micrograms as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. You can get too much folic acid, however, so stick to under 1000 micrograms unless your doctor recommends more due to a history of neural tube defects in previous pregnancies. In this case, a larger dose may be recommended for both the pre-pregnancy period and into the first trimester. Studies have shown this may prevent recurrence of the defect in subsequent pregnancies.

Which foods contain folate?

Folate occurs naturally in lentils, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, citrus fruits such as oranges, and peanuts. It is also often added to cereals, breads, and pasta, so check the label to see if your choice has been fortified with folic acid.

It can be difficult to get enough folate from foods, so women planning to become pregnant should add a supplement containing the recommended amount. Check the label of your multivitamin to make sure it supplies enough folic acid. Prenatal supplements should include folic acid, but be sure the amount is right, and add an extra supplement if necessary to meet your 600 microgram requirement.

The importance of folate to a healthy pregnancy can’t be overstated. It is believed that taking an increased amount of folic acid could prevent up to 70% of neural tube defects in the US. Take this simple step before you are pregnant, to protect your baby even before conception.

Test Your Prenatal Nutrition Knowledge

Test Your Prenatal Nutrition Knowledge

July 4th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Do you know how to eat right for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby? Answer these nutrition questions to find out if your prenatal nutrition is on track.

Do I need more calories when I am pregnant?

While a pregnant woman does need to take in more calories than prior to pregnancy to provide adequately for the baby, the old adage about “eating for two” isn’t accurate. In fact, you don’t really need any extra calories until after the first trimester, and then only an extra 300 calories a day. That really isn’t much, so use caution. Overeating during pregnancy will lead to excess weight gain, and many women find those extra pounds especially hard to lose after pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy will reduce the strain on your body and keep you in good shape to care for your baby!

Can I just take a supplement and not worry about my diet?

Prenatal supplements are an important source of the extra nutrients your body needs during pregnancy, but they should support a healthy diet, not replace it. The purpose of taking a supplement is to help provide a backup to fill any gaps in your diet. You should take a supplement every day, but it should not be your main source of vitamins and minerals. The nutrients found in food are better absorbed by the body than those in a supplement form, so they are still vital to good health.

Do I have to eat foods I don’t like?

You need to eat from all four food groups and choose a variety of options from each in order to get everything your body requires. If there are certain foods you really can’t bear, it’s ok to skip them as long as you ensure they are replaced with other foods offering similar benefits. If you aren’t a meat eater, you will need to find alternate sources of protein and iron. If broccoli doesn’t make your list, be sure to eat plenty of other leafy greens like spinach and kale. If you can’t eat an entire food group, such as dairy, due to an allergy or lactose intolerance, you should talk to your doctor about supplementation to make sure you get the right amounts of the nutrients missing from your diet.

Do I have to eat three meals a day?

It’s not necessary to eat three meals a day if you are having trouble with feeling too full or struggling with nausea that makes it hard to eat at certain times of the day. Breaking up your consumption into smaller meals throughout the day will prevent feelings of over-fullness, especially later in pregnancy. As long as you are getting the recommended servings of each of the food groups every day, it doesn’t matter how you split them up.

Are some nutrients more important than others?

All of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to be healthy are also vital to your baby’s health. There are some nutrients that have been especially newsworthy recently, however, as having special importance during pregnancy. Folic acid or folate has been shown to help prevent a number of birth defects, and pregnant women are strongly encouraged to eat plenty of foods containing folate. Calcium is also vital to a baby’s developing bones, so good sources in your diet are important. Pay special attention to these, and also to iron in your diet especially if your routine iron test shows low levels.

The Role of Vitamins

The Role of Vitamins

June 30th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

When many of us think of vitamins, we picture a bottle of pills or chewable capsules. It has become so common to think of “taking your vitamins” that we often forget where vitamins really come from.

Vitamins are naturally occurring, organic substances found in plants and animals. They are necessary to good health and help our bodies to function properly. Each vitamin has a role to play, and it’s important to get enough of all the necessary vitamins to ensure a strong and healthy body.

What They Do and Where to Find Them

Vitamins are generally known by letters, Vitamin A, B, C and so on, but they also often have another name. Knowing which vitamin is which, what they do for the body, and which foods provide them makes it easy to eat a balanced diet.

  • Vitamin A. This vitamin is available from both plant and animal sources. It plays a major role in protecting the immune system, eye health, reproduction, and helps build barriers in both the skin and linings of internal systems to keep out harmful bacteria. You can find Vitamin A in beef or chicken liver, dairy products, and many fruits and vegetables, especially carrots, spinach, kale, cantaloupe and apricots.
  • Vitamin B6. Necessary to immune and nervous system function, vitamin B6 also creates enzymes that metabolize proteins, and is required to create hemoglobin, which carries oxygen within the bloodstream. Vitamin B6 can be found in foods such as potatoes, bananas, garbanzo beans and chicken.
  • Vitamin B12. This vitamin is required to create red blood cells and support neurological function. Foods that provide Vitamin B12 are beef liver, clams, yogurt, and fish such as trout and salmon.
  • Folate. Another one of the B vitamins, folate has recently been shown to reduce the risk of a number of birth defects including spina bifida. You can get folate from foods such as whole grains and leafy greens like spinach and broccoli.
  • Vitamins B1-6 and B7. Also known as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and biotin, the remaining B vitamins are also important to good health, helping to metabolize food into energy and create red blood cells. B vitamins can be found in a variety of foods such as meats, poultry, eggs, and green vegetables.
  • Vitamin D. Crucial to healthy bones, this vitamin helps in the absorption of calcium and bone growth. It also plays a role in immune health. This vitamin does not appear naturally in many foods, however it can be found in fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines. Vitamin D is also absorbed into the body through sun exposure, however too much exposure to UV rays carries a risk.
  • Vitamin E. An antioxidant which can help to rid the body of free radicals, Vitamin E also supports a healthy immune system. This vitamin can be found in nuts such as almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts, as well as sunflower seeds, broccoli, and spinach.
  • Vitamin K. This vitamin plays an important role in blood clotting as well as maintaining healthy bones and tissue. It is most commonly found in leafy green vegetables such as kale, collard greens, spinach and broccoli.

Getting Enough Vitamins

It can be difficult to tell if you are getting enough vitamins from your diet, so it’s not a bad idea to take a daily multi-vitamin. Just be careful not to overdo it on supplements. Taking too much of some vitamins can actually be detrimental to your health. A balanced diet and a basic multi-vitamin should be sufficient to provide your body with what it needs to function and stay healthy.

Why you Need a Prenatal Supplement?

Why you Need a Prenatal Supplement?

June 29th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Even if you are striving to eat a balanced diet from all four food groups, your vitamin and mineral intake can still fall short. During pregnancy, it is especially vital that you get the needed amounts of all of the necessary nutrients to support your health as well as your baby’s growth. In order to help you meet all of your nutritional needs, your doctor will recommend that you take a prenatal supplement.

What Is A Prenatal Supplement?

Like other multivitamins, prenatal supplements offer a combination of all of the vitamins and minerals you need on a daily basis. Just as some supplements are specifically targeted to other populations such as men, women, seniors or children, a prenatal supplement contains specific levels of vitamins and minerals to meet the needs of a pregnant woman. Prenatal supplements generally contain more of the nutrients pregnant women require to remain healthy and nourish the baby growing within, such as folic acid, calcium, and iron.

Where Should I Get My Supplements?

There are two options for prenatal supplements; over the counter and prescription versions are both available. Talk to your doctor about which option is best for you. Prescription supplements often contain larger doses of important nutrients, but can also cause reactions such as nausea and constipation. Over the counter options can be purchased at a drugstore, grocery store or any other store that offers vitamin and mineral supplements. If the options are confusing, ask the pharmacist for help. If your doctor has prescribed a supplement, do not switch without asking first. There may be a reason in your medical history why that particular supplement was chosen for you.

If you are having a really bad reaction to your current supplement, you should be able to switch to a different option with your doctor’s help. It may take some trial and error to find one that you tolerate well.

Can’t I Just Eat Right?

You can, and you should eat right during your pregnancy! But some of the nutrients your body needs may be difficult to get in the right amounts from your diet. Prenatal supplements aren’t intended to replace a healthy, balanced diet, but to support it by filling in any potential holes in your nutrition. Pregnancy isn’t a good time to take chances on getting the right nutrients. Your baby’s health depends on your heath – so take good care of it and take every precaution to make sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

Tips for Taking Prenatal Supplements

Some pregnant women struggle with taking their prenatal vitamins due to nausea. If you are feeling sick, try to take your vitamin at a time of day when you are feeling the least nauseous. You may find that taking them with food helps to ward off the nausea as well. To help your body get used to them, try to take them at the same time every day. Remember that if you aren’t eating well due to nausea, it’s even more important to get nutrition into your body in any way you can. If you do miss a day, there is no need to double up on your supplements. In fact, this might not be a good idea as too much of certain vitamins and minerals can be detrimental to your health.

If you are not yet pregnant but planning to conceive, start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you start trying. You won’t know you are pregnant until your baby has already been growing for several weeks, so make sure you are already providing a healthy body in which your baby can thrive.