So you are going to be a mommy, Congratulations! Get ready to get the most precious treasure of your life, your baby.
Now as you are a “mum to be,” you need an additional meal to support the development and growth of your baby. You will have to eat for “two” rather than one. So keeping this in mind it’s important to focus on the quality of your diet. From the day you conceive, the health and growth of your baby rely on you entirely.
Eating healthy during pregnancy can be difficult sometimes because you have crazy cravings throughout the whole period. But it is a time to eat smart for the health of you two, not just for your taste-buds. Check out this sample trimester by trimester diet plan to try during your pregnancy;
Healthy Pregnancy Diet Plan
First Trimester
The first trimester is the crucial period because it is the starting time of your pregnancy. At this stage you will experience nausea, fatigue and food dissatisfaction’s. Your biggest issue at this time is consuming calories. Focus on eating nutritious food as much as possible. Eat foods which are rich in vitamin B6, folate, and iron; they are suitable for the development of your baby’s nervous system and help ease nausea. Eat fruits and vegetables to keep your energy levels up and fulfill your nutritional requirements. Try to consume about 600 micro grams of folic acid a day to help inhibit neural tube defects. Eat oranges and strawberries daily.
Second Trimester
The second trimester is also called the golden period of pregnancy. It is the period between 14th to 26th weeks, and the growth of your baby is about 35 cms at this time. Healthy food will provide the essential nutrients during this time. Your diet must have fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and adequate water. Every meal should contain 3 portions of each food group. You should have carbohydrates (starchy foods, cereals) with every meal. Low fat dairy products should be consumed at least 2 to 3 times a day. Foods rich in protein like fish, beans and eggs should be eaten at least twice daily.
Third Trimester
The final third trimester is the time when your baby grows quickly. His bones, organs, eyes, brain and lungs are developing with the increasing nutritional needs. In addition to your baby’s rapid growth, your body is preparing to deliver a baby. A healthy diet, with nutritious foods, is more important now. Fish, including salmon, tuna, mackerel, and shellfish are great sources of Omega-3 fats and iron. Eat 2 cups of fruit, 8 oz. of whole grain bread products, and 3 cups of vegetables. You’ll need 6.5 oz. of protein from lean meat, sea food, poultry, and nuts daily. Moreover you need to take at least 3 cups of low-fat milk or yogurt.
To be a mother is undeniably the most joyous time period of your life. The pain and other discomforts are nothing in front of the delight of having a baby in your hand for the first time. Embrace this time period and wait for the cute reward.
