Pregnancy and Healthy Eating

Pregnancy can be termed as a very heavenly feeling for any woman. You are in the process of creation. Therefore you should look good as well as feel good. Healthy pregnancy leads to the birth of a healthy baby. During this 9 months period of pregnancy, one should be taking very selective and healthy food. No junk food should be taken as it only creates problems and complications which we do not know until we face them.

Now the question arises that what should we eat when we are pregnant? Well whatever one eats it should contain the basic nutrients. Water, milk, yogurt are all good its better to take low fat milk and yogurt. Lots of green vegetables should be made a part of your daily diet. Proteins are also another essential element of your diet. Fish, mutton, and chicken are some good choices. Red meat is not that healthy as it increases the risk of high cholesterol and fat in your body. Alcohol and smoking should be strictly avoided during pregnancy as its not at all good for you and for your unborn baby.

Pregnancy demands care and tender handling. The more you will look after yourself the more you will stay away from diseases and complications. A pregnant woman should have small portions of food and do not eat in large meals. As when you eat a lot you will experience heart burn and uncomfortable feeling. So make your meals small and there is no harm in eating as many times as you feel like eating. There is no restriction as when to eat and when not to eat. So better make a plan for your meals. A perfect eating routine is composed of four to five meal times. First early in the morning, at this time you can take a warm cup of milk and with it you can eat 1 or 2 oatmeal crackers. And if you are not feeling like drinking milk then you can make your self a nice cup of green tea. It will not only make you feel fresh but it will also help you in preventing morning sickness.

At breakfast time a medium bowl of porridge is an excellent choice, or you can have a vegetable omelet with brown bread and a glass of fresh juice of your choice. Tea is not that good option as it causes heartburn and headaches. So it’s better to avoid it, but once a day you can drink a cup of tea. At lunch time grilled chicken breast, boiled green vegetables, brown bread, pasta, mutton, backed fish, boiled beans, rice, lentil soup are all healthy options. Same is for dinner time. The key thing is that whatever you should eat it must have some healthy nutrient value. Lots of spices, oily food and high cholesterol drinks should be kept at a distance. Drink plenty of fresh water as it will help you flush your system properly, and help you not to have any constipation.

It is said that you need not to put on extra weight during the first 6 months of your pregnancy as whatever you will eat will only goes to your body and after 6 months whatever you will eat directly help your baby to put on weight and you will also notice a prominent change in your weight after 6 months. So it is advised to eat healthy and sensibly. Do no take fatty foods as once you put on weight it will be very difficult for you to reduce after pregnancy. So to keep your self fit and good looking eat cautiously and sensibly. It is better to get more advice from your health nutritionist.

Here are a few quick tips for healthy pregnancy that you should know.

• Talk to your doctor about how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.
• Eat foods rich in folate, iron, calcium, and protein, or get these nutrients through a prenatal supplement.
• Before taking any supplements do talk to your health care provider.
• Do not skip breakfast.
• Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation.
• Avoid raw egg, alcohol, raw fish, and fish high in mercury, soft cheeses, and anything that is not food.
• Aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Talk to your health care provider before you begin.
• Continue eating well after your delivery, so that you return to a healthy weight gradually.

Do not consider pregnancy as a disease, as its only a blessing and think yourself as the lucky one who is blessed by God with this beautiful gift of nature.

HEALTHY EATING 
what is a healthy eating plan for pregnancy?

A healthy eating plan contains a wide variety of foods from the five basic food groups.* Every day, you should try to eat:

6 or more servings of bread, cereal, rice, or pasta.
One serving equals one slice of bread, 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal (about 1 cup of most cereals), or 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta. If you are physically active, you can eat more servings (up to 11 servings if you are very active).

3 to 5 servings of vegetables.

One serving equals 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables such as spinach
or lettuce, or 1/2 cup of chopped vegetables, cooked or raw.

2 to 4 servings of fruit.
One serving equals one medium piece of fruit like an apple, banana, or orange; 1/2 cup of chopped fresh, cooked, or canned fruit; 1/4 cup dried fruit; or 3/4 cup of 100-percent fruit juice.

2 servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese.
One serving equals 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 1 1/2 ounces of natural cheese like cheddar or mozzarella, or 2 ounces of processed cheese like American. If you are 18 years or younger and pregnant, you need at least 3 servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products most often.

2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, or nuts.
One serving equals 2 to 3 ounces of cooked meat, poultry, or fish-about the size of a deck of cards. Choose lean cuts and eat no more than 5 to 7 ounces of meat, poultry, or fish a day. One cup of cooked beans such as kidney beans or 2 eggs count as a serving. Four tablespoons of peanut butter or 2/3 cup of nuts also equals a serving.

At least 8 glasses of water.
Drinking milk, 100-percent juice, seltzer or other non-alcoholic beverages counts toward your amount of daily water

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