Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

One of the most nutritionally demanding periods in a woman's life is when she is pregnant. It is essential that a woman who is pregnant has adequate supplies of nutrients to insure the healthy growth of her baby. Healthy eating during pregnancy is the optimum way to get that nutrition.

A woman is the only source of nourishment for the baby while it is in the womb. So it is vital that a woman knows what the right kinds of foods she should be eating during pregnancy. We will take a look at the most important nutrients that are needed to ensure that the baby growing inside grows strong and healthy. Healthy eating during pregnancy requires these nutrients:

1. Protein

This is one of the most important nutrients for a pregnant woman to include in her diet. Protein provides elements which help body tissues to grow, including the baby and the placenta. It also increases a woman's blood volume and amniotic fluid. It is important that pregnant women have between 3 to 4 servings of a protein based food each day. The foods that are included in this category are lean meats, eggs, beans, and tofu.

2. Carbohydrates

These will provide the largest part of a woman's calorie intake during pregnancy. They are there to provide a woman with her main source of energy. There are two types of carbohydrates. The first is simple (refined sugars) and the second is complex (whole intact grains).

Simple carbohydrates are those that are ready to be used by the body immediately and will provide a person with instant energy. Such products as table sugar, honey, syrup and fruit juices are in this group. Complex carbohydrates will provide the body with a steady supply of energy over a longer period of time. In this group you will need to look at whole grains, potatoes, lentils, beans, and peas.

3. Calcium

Calcium fortifies the bones and teeth. It is primarily found in milk and dairy products, but it can also be found in broccoli and canned fish. Unfortunately many women only consume about 75% of their recommended calcium levels. It is very important that they increase their intake of foods in this group during their pregnancy.

4. Iron

A woman's requirement for iron doubles during pregnancy. Both the mother and the baby require additional iron. Iron is important because of the increase in maternal blood volume and the baby storing iron to support itself after birth. Meat is the best way of getting iron efficiently into the body.

These are the most important nutrients that a woman needs to include in her diet to insure healthy eating during pregnancy. Along with eating a nutritious diet, women should also consider taking folic acid and vitamin supplements during this period.

Eating healthy meals does not have to mean time-consuming menu preparation or boring meals. To discover delicious alternatives you never knew could be healthy, be sure to check out my Eating Healthy for Life blog at: http://www.eating-healthy.org

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