What
You Should Know About Your Pregnancy Diet
When it comes to pregnancy
nutrition getting enough protein is key throughout your nine months of
pregnancy. This will give you and the baby all you need for healthy development
to occur. Protein is a vital building block of your eating plan during
pregnancy
because it provides all the amino
acids necessary for your baby’s brain and cognitive development.
Protein is also important in
curbing appetite and in evening out fluctuating blood sugar levels. You should
make sure every meal including snacks contains some protein. There is some
confusion about which protein types are best to seek out. Let’s have a look.
Organic
Eggs
Eggs have really come under pressure in the past few
years.
There’s been concern over cholesterol, but more recent
research
has shown that these concerns are unfounded and that eggs
are
actually an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids and
protein.
Organic
Meat
Meat is the most obvious protein source, especially
chicken and
beef. However, there have been some serious concerns
relating to
the hormones used in some meat, which is why it’s best to
switch
to organic meat.
Seafood
There are some serious concerns relating to mercury in
many
different types of seafood. When you are pregnant, these
concerns
are even bigger as they can affect the fetus. While you
should
avoid seafood that is known to be high in mercury, other
seafood
is fine to eat such as shrimp, lobster, crab, anchovies,
sardines,
and salmon. However, you should not eat no more than two
6-ounce
servings twice a week.
Soy
Product
Pregnant women should avoid soy products for a couple of
reasons.
Soy products have a lot of preservatives in them, which
can be
unsafe. You should avoid all preservatives. Soy has also
been
linked to the under-development of the sex organs of
fetuses,
which can have long reaching consequences for the child.
It’s best
to err on the side of caution and just avoid soy
products.
Nuts
Nuts or nut butter is also a good source of protein
especially if
you aren’t fond of meat. They are readily available,
convenient,
and an excellent source of protein. They are also high in
healthy
fats, which can help with cognitive function and your
brain
development of your baby. It will also help you to feel
fuller so
you are less likely to overeat and become overweight.
Look for raw
nuts and organic whenever possible.
There you have it – some great
information on what you should know about your pregnancy diet. Now relax, and
enjoy the time before your baby arrives.