Diet for Pregnant Women

When a svelte size six woman finds out she’s pregnant, she may take that as a free meal ticket. All of the foods that were off limits in the past now find their way onto her dinner plate and into her stomach. She may have sworn off chocolate cake and rich creamy pasta in the past, but now that she is eating for two she thinks she can eat whatever she pleases.

Granted a pregnant woman does need to consume more calories than a non-pregnant woman, but those calories should be carefully chosen.

Whatever you eat today you’ll need to account for tomorrow. Consider that a woman who gains fifty pounds during pregnancy is not going to lose much more than the weight of her baby, which will most likely be between six and eight pounds.

When you are considering what to eat while pregnant talk to your doctor. Many obstetricians have a fairly strong idea about what does and doesn’t constitute a healthy diet. They can give you guidelines to follow so that you’ll be eating properly and won’t have to pay the price of too much excess weight after delivery.

Common sense will tell you that you should eat only healthy foods while pregnant and avoid foods that can damage the fetus. You want to stay away from all alcohol. If you enjoyed an occasional cocktail before becoming pregnant, save the next drink for celebrating after you’ve had the baby and have finished nursing.

If you are a heavy coffee drinker you are advised to either give that up or switch to decaffeinated. This can be a struggle for many women but it’s important to remember that caffeine is a stimulant and can harm the developing fetus. Tea also contains caffeine, as does chocolate. Play it safe and avoid anything with caffeine for the duration of the pregnancy.

Fruits and vegetables are always a wise choice when it comes to planning menus. When you are pregnant it’s a wise idea to choose a piece of fruit or some raw fresh vegetables as a coffee break snack. Some pre-packaged carrots with a small serving of dip are both nutritious and delicious. You can also have a small portion of vanilla yogurt with a serving of fresh berries. The yogurt also contains calcium, which is something every pregnant woman needs.

Milk is also essential during pregnancy. A nice, tall, cold glass of milk quenches the thirst and helps to develop strong bones and teeth in the baby. If you aren’t fond of milk you can still get a daily dose of calcium by eating foods like yogurt as already mentioned, cheese or salmon. Canned salmon is especially good as you can mash the small bones, which are packed full of calcium.

Protein is another factor you need to think about. Many women are vegetarians now and don’t eat chicken, pork or beef. They can still get an adequate supply of protein by consuming nuts and eggs.

One of the most important parts of any diet is a nutritional supplement. A multi-vitamin does both mom and baby lots of good and it’s wise to ask your doctor to recommend one for you. He or she will also want you to take a supplement that is rich in folic acid while pregnant.

Remember as your tummy starts to grow you’ll want to choose foods that are good for both the baby and you. Bypass high sugar sodas for pure fruit juice and eat a sandwich made from whole grain bread as opposed to white. Each good nutrition decision you make will benefit both you and the baby.