Women who are pregnant should be very particular about their diet because the food that they eat as part of their pregnancy diet is the main source of nutrients and energy for the baby. The pregnancy diet followed by the woman affect both the physical and mental development of the child during pregnancy and even after birth. An ideal pregnancy diet should be rich in natural vitamins and minerals derived from fresh fruits and vegetables. In the first trimester, the pregnancy diet should be rich in foods that have a high folic acid, iron and calcium content.
Some women may also be prescribed folic acid and iron tablets by their doctor. Folic acid plays an important part in the development of the child and any deficiency in folic acid may result in birth defects of the spine or brain of the baby. In the second trimester, the pregnancy diet should be rich in foods that have a high protein content as protein is essential in forming the muscle mass of the baby and the overall skeletal structure.
In most pregnancy cases, women are known to gain anywhere between 10-15 kgs. However they should ensure that they do not gain too much of weight. To ensure appropriate weight gain, the pregnancy diet should minimize the intake of sugar and fats. During pregnancy, although women are told to eat for two, they actually only need 200 -300 additional calories which can be gained via foods such as yogurt or even a medium sized diet. There are plenty of pregnancy diet recipes available that ensure that pregnant women get a balanced intake of vitamins and nutrients and that the food also tastes good. Rather than consuming foods that are cooked in unhealthy oils, the pregnancy diet should involve foods that are cooked in olive oil and other such monounsaturated fats.
A good pregnancy diet should provide both the mother and child with vitamins C, D, K and E. Pregnant women should not consume excess of foods that contain Vitamin A as it may be harmful to the baby. Citrus fruits and other foods that are rich in vitamin C should form an integral part of a pregnancy diet as deficiency of vitamin C may lead to a premature rupture in the fetal membranes and even result in neonatal death. Additionally foods rich in B vitamins such as kiwis, cheese, and eggs should also be consumed as they are required for the correct functioning of the nerve tissues and muscles.
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