Pregnancy Tips: Nutritional Diet and Prenatal Vitamins

Congratulations! In nine months you're going to be a mother, BUT it will never be an easy task. Your body will physically experience changes, your moods will swing, your senses will be sharp, and you'll crave for a lot of things -- and food.

As an expecting mother, what you EAT matters to your unborn baby as he or she is dependent on you for nourishment. In pregnancy check-ups, your doctor might tell you this mantra: you are what you eat, and what your baby eats. Clinical studies show that what you eat has a connection to your baby's health and growth, which is why during pregnancy, it is essential that you make "healthy food choices" and "healthy habits". Healthy habits like exercising, "quitting on smoking and alcohol,” and taking up pregnancy vitamins are as essential as eating nutritional diet.

In the beginning of your pregnancy, you will experience adjustments significantly about food. And since you are eating for two, you will be eating twice the serving of your usual food intake, or in a more-frequent-basis.

Pregnancy Nutrition
Eating the right means knowing what foods to eat and what to avoid. Ideally, as an expecting mother you need 300 extra calories a day in addition to your recommended daily calorie intakes or allowances.

When you strictly follow a healthy pregnancy nutrition diet, as recommended by your doctor, it can counteract the baby's risks low birth weight, susceptibility to infections and birth defects. On your side, following the recommended diet can provide positive effects against fatigue, morning sickness, constipation, leg cramps and later on an easy child birth and post-partum depression.

For pregnant mothers, the USDA approved Food Guide Pyramid and Dietary Reference Intakes should strive to consume the following servings: 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice and pasta; 3-5 servings of vegetables; 2-4 servings of fruits; 3-5 servings of milk, yoghurt and cheese; 2-3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts; 8 8-ounce glasses of water; You should also limit caffeine containing beverages to no more than 2 cups per day.

Nevertheless, try to consume -- in moderation -- foods groups rich in protein, carbohydrates, fats and Protein and Amino Acids is the building material for muscles, teeth and bones; and instrumental in normal growth patterns (build and repair cells) and immune system antibodies. Minerals, like Calcium and Zinc, are critical to maintaining healthy bones and promote healing and easy delivery, and like Iron, which supports blood circulation.

Foods to AVOID are those that has risky levels of mercury like swordfish, shark meats, mackerels, and others that might put you and your baby at risk of bacteria-related problems like raw

Pregnancy Vitamins
Prenatal supplements provide extra nutrients and boosts for expecting mothers. Pregnancy vitamins like Folate/ Folic Acid can minimize risks of hemorrhoids and constipation, or alleviate nausea or vomiting due to morning sickness.

There are literally dozens of prenatal supplement brands available. Don't buy impulsively. Ask your doctor. Every woman has different needs. For example, an expecting woman has anemic tendencies; her doctor might prescribe her to take iron supplements.

To give you an idea, these are the ideal vitamins and minerals supplements you need while expecting: Vitamin A: 4,000 to 5,000 International Units (IU); Folic Acid (Folate): 600-1000 micrograms (mcg); Vitamin D: 200-400 IU; Calcium: 200-300 milligrams (mg); Vitamin C: 85 mg; Thiamin: 1.4 mg; Riboflavin: 1.4 mg; Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine): 1.9 mg; Vitamin B-3 (Niacin): 18 mg; Vitamin B-12: 2.6 mcg; Vitamin E: 15 mg; Zinc: 11 mg; Iron: 27-60 mg.

Pregnancy Reminders
Follow your doctor's instruction throughout pregnancy. Take your pregnancy vitamins each day or as required by your doctor. Should you have concerns about your pregnancy, ask and discuss with your doctor.

Sunnie Southern is the Senior Product Manager of Nutrition for DuetDHA.