Pregnancy Diet

In general during the pregnancy period you need to consume about 300 calories more than your normal diet daily. This is even more applicable during the latter part of your pregnancy or in other words starting from the 6th month to the end of your tenure. This is the time the baby grows at a rapid pace thereby needing the extra nutrition for an adequate growth. On an average the mother should gain at least 30 pounds but this must be stated that it varies from woman to woman.

The Chief Nutrients

The Nutrients that are essential during this period are Protein, Carbohydrates, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Folic acid and Fat.

The reason

All these nutrients are required for the baby in relation to blood production and cell growth, daily energy production, strong bones and teeth, muscle contraction, nerve function, red blood cell production, healthy skin, good eyesight, growing bones, healthy gums, teeth, and bones; assistance with iron absorption, red blood cell formation; effective use of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, formation of red blood cells, maintaining nervous system health, healthy bones and teeth; aids absorption of calcium, blood and protein production, effective enzyme function and body energy stores.

The diet

You can get all the nutrients required if you follow at regular diet of lean meat, fish, poultry, egg whites, beans, peanut butter, cereals, rice, potatoes, pasta, fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines or salmon with bones, spinach, spinach, iron-fortified whole-grain breads and cereals, carrots, dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes, fortified fruit juices, red meat like pork and ham. One thing that is to be considered in this relation is that the intake of fat should be less than 30% of your daily diet.

End note

It is absolutely necessary to keep the folic acid at a suitable level even before one gets pregnant. This is because the first 28 days of the pregnancy is vital for the latter and overall growth of the baby and folic acid helps a lot in this.