by LORI-ANN MARCHESE
CTFashionMag.com
To all those Mommies-To-Be out there, focusing on what you eat during your pregnancy is crucial to have the healthiest baby that you can.
Although it is difficult to resist all your favorite foods, there are many benefits to a healthy diet during your pregnancy. Making better choices is essential for your baby’s growth and development. This could also counter into a healthier weight of your baby once born.
Remember, that what you eat has a tremendous impact on your baby’s nutrition. The foods that you eat are the main source of nutrients for your child to be. Target all food groups, and make sure you watch those portion sizes.
A misconception that comes with being pregnant is that it does not matter how much you eat. Those who are pregnant should only be consuming an extra 300 calories. This means that you should skip that extra meal you are craving, and have a wholesome snack. Not only does eating well for your baby help their development, but think of the benefits that affect you. Eating healthier during pregnancy will have an increased effect of you losing weight afterwards.
Focusing in on your food groups is key to having a strong and healthy baby.
For your grains, focus on those whole-grains and enriched products that are filled with fiber and iron. Suggestions of grains to eat would be whole-grain pasta or bread, brown rice and oats.
Vegetables and fruits provide many vitamins and minerals that help to aid in digestion. Having dark, leafy vegetables are higher in Vitamin A and iron. Vitamin C is found in many fruits, which helps you absorb that extra iron that is crucial to have during pregnancy because it is more likely you’ll be absorbing a lower percentage of iron. Fruits and vegetables make a wonderful alternative for a snack. Having apples, mangoes, apricots, pears, blueberries, bananas, broccoli and any dark, leafy vegetable, sweet potatoes, and legumes are a few examples to choose from.
Proteins are key for your baby’s growth. Having whole-wheat toast with peanut butter or an egg-white omelet with veggies are great breakfast options. If you enjoy having fish, salmon is filled with omega-3 fatty acids, which affect your baby-to-be’s brain development. When eating a salad, you can put in chickpeas or black beans to add flavor.
Avoid high-sodium and high-fat foods. Resisting high-fatty foods can be ultimately difficult while you are pregnant, but you must control your intake of fat especially. Having alternative fats such as almonds, sunflower seeds, other nuts that are low in fat and sodium as well as avocados are the better options.
If you are to have a salad, use natural oil as your dressing.
Having dairy will help build your baby’s bones and teeth. Stick to milks that are high in calcium, and if you are not able to drink cow’s milk, find a soy-milk that is high in calcium and lower in fat and sugars. If you are not a fan of milk, have a low-fat yogurt or add cereal to your milk.
We must not forget about staying hydrated, so constantly drinking fluids are very important. Drinking water assists the transportation of nutrients from the food you consume to your baby. Water prevents constipation, excessive swelling, and helps flush out those toxins in your body.
Overall, find your inner determination and stick to a clean and healthy diet. Everything that goes into your body directly affects your baby. Remember, that staying hydrated is ideal for your body processes, and staying away from those high-sugary and caloric drinks are a must. Find your inner strength to make your diet a healthy daily regime so that your baby can be as healthy as possible.
Lori-Ann Marchese is the owner of Body Construct LLC in New Britain. She is a former Mrs. Connecticut America and starred in the Bravo TV series, “Game of Crowns.”
