Family Doctor 2007 - (Page 174) pregnancy & newborn EATING FOR TWO Eating for two During pregnancy it’s important to ensure your diet provides enough energy and nutrients for your baby to develop and for your body to cope with the changes taking place. By Angelike M. Gaunt A nourishing diet is more important than ever when you are pregnant. Putting more thought into what you eat will help you have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. However, sticking to good-for-you foods may be difficult, espeof pregnancy. Learning how to eat a cially if you experience morning sickness during the first 3 months variety of foods will help provide both you and your baby with all the nutrients you need. Read on to understand the dos and don’ts of pregnancy nutrition, and how much is enough when you are eating for two. needs to know ■ Certain medicines and supplements can be bad for your baby. Be sure to tell your doctor if you take any dietary or herbal supplements, prescription medicines or over-the-counter medicines. What you should eat You will need approximately 300 extra calories a day, especially later in the pregnancy, when your baby starts growing quickly. What you eat feeds your baby, so be sure to choose healthy, well-balanced foods. A balanced diet includes lean sources of protein, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products and lots of water. Aim for at least 6 ounces of whole grains (a slice of bread or half a cup of cooked oatmeal equals 1 ounce), 2 cups of vegetables, 1.5 cups of fruits, 3 cups of milk or dairy products, 5 ounces of protein, and 8 glasses of water every day. Other important parts of a healthy pregnancy diet include the items listed below. Your doctor can tell you how much of the following you need each day. Folic acid (also called folate) helps prevent serious birth defects, including defects of the brain and spine. Folic acid is especially important before pregnancy, when you are trying to conceive, and in the early stages of pregnancy, when your baby is just starting to develop. Folic acid can be found in green leafy 174 familydoctor 2007 It’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet throughout your pregnancy.
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