What Does Your First Trimester Diet Contain?
Apurva Shree
January 04, 2008
How well do you know about your first trimester pregnancy diet? Do you know that you need around 300 calorie extra everyday during pregnancy? Well, if you know it or not, you are at the right place to brush up your knowledge about pregnancy diet plan.
Lots of carbohydrates, protein, iron, calcium, and fibers are what you need at this time. This is the time to substitute refined fats and sugars with diary products brimming with protein and calcium. If you are lactose-intolerant, go for beans, tofu, corn tortillas, fresh fruits, and dark green leafy vegetables. In addition to this, you need to drink about 6-8 glasses of water everyday, to fulfill your requirement of fluid during pregnancy. However, this doesn’t mean that you gulp down cups of tea, coffee, and soda. It’s plain water that’s healthy.
Smart Tips For A Healthy Diet
It’s wise to follow the food pyramid – a variety of fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, and 3-4 cups of skimmed milk or milk products.
For lactose-intolerant women, it’s better to talk to your doctor or midwife to know about milk alternatives.
If you have had a history of eating disorders, or are overweight or underweight, you should be more careful about foods to eat during pregnancy.
Instead of the conventional three squares meals a day, it’s better to have 5-6 small meals. It keeps you energized throughout the day.
Vitamins
Doctors recommend taking vitamin that contains a minimum of 0.4 mg of folic acid everyday. It helps in the development of neural tube of fetus.
Calcium
Doctors recommend taking 1500 mg of elemental calcium daily. Milk and milk product, and for some, calcium supplements, work better.
Iron
Doctors recommend taking an iron supplement that contains a minimum of 50 mg of elemental iron everyday. It is best to take iron pill with orange juice, to increase absorption. Never take with milk, as it decreases iron absorption. If you suffer from severe morning sickness, you can skip iron supplement and take a multi-vitamin until your stomach settles down. However, before starting any kind of supplement, always consult your doctor.
First trimester diet is very important, as it is the beginning of your journey towards a healthy motherhood. If you haven’t been particular of what you eat until now, this is the time to start. Read books and articles for more information on first trimester diet.
Talk to your doctor about first trimester diet, so that you know what foods to eat during pregnancy. Following a pregnancy diet plan is the key to a healthy pregnancy.
Lots of carbohydrates, protein, iron, calcium, and fibers are what you need at this time. This is the time to substitute refined fats and sugars with diary products brimming with protein and calcium. If you are lactose-intolerant, go for beans, tofu, corn tortillas, fresh fruits, and dark green leafy vegetables. In addition to this, you need to drink about 6-8 glasses of water everyday, to fulfill your requirement of fluid during pregnancy. However, this doesn’t mean that you gulp down cups of tea, coffee, and soda. It’s plain water that’s healthy.
Smart Tips For A Healthy Diet
Vitamins
Doctors recommend taking vitamin that contains a minimum of 0.4 mg of folic acid everyday. It helps in the development of neural tube of fetus.
Calcium
Doctors recommend taking 1500 mg of elemental calcium daily. Milk and milk product, and for some, calcium supplements, work better.
Iron
Doctors recommend taking an iron supplement that contains a minimum of 50 mg of elemental iron everyday. It is best to take iron pill with orange juice, to increase absorption. Never take with milk, as it decreases iron absorption. If you suffer from severe morning sickness, you can skip iron supplement and take a multi-vitamin until your stomach settles down. However, before starting any kind of supplement, always consult your doctor.
First trimester diet is very important, as it is the beginning of your journey towards a healthy motherhood. If you haven’t been particular of what you eat until now, this is the time to start. Read books and articles for more information on first trimester diet.
Talk to your doctor about first trimester diet, so that you know what foods to eat during pregnancy. Following a pregnancy diet plan is the key to a healthy pregnancy.