Review Your Nutritional Plan During Pregnancy - Nutrition During Pregnancy

It's beyond all doubts that healthy food is one of the most essential components for healthy life. Nutrition during pregnancy is one most sought after topic by the pregnant and lactating women world wide. Well planned diet is a of prime significance when it comes to the most crucial phase of life - especially pregnancy. Doctors advice to review your nutritional plan before conception because the first few weeks are the most important phase of pregnancy for the development of fetus. The most important thing in reviewing your nutritional plan is that it should be according to your medical status, body weight and not to be forgotten the eating habits. While poor eating habit during pregnancy may be harmful, taking self decision and selecting high protein diet can bring harm either! Balanced diet is what you should go for. Remember your eating habit has a great impact on your baby. Keeping in regular touch with your medical adviser is very important. It's prudent to make the nutritional changes for pregnancy according to the doctor's advice.

Although severe weight gain during pregnancy is not desired, but it's appreciated to certain extent. Body weight tend to shoot up during this phase because of multiple growth spurts of many organs, which is essential. Remember obesity is something that's entirely different and shouldn't be confused with required weight gain. According to experts' reviews on pregnancy, these are the approximate clinical stat:

• Average placenta weights at term 1 1/2 lbs.
• Amniotic fluid 2 lbs.
• Breast enlargement 2 lbs.
• Uterine mass 2 lbs.
• Blood volume 3 lbs.
• Fat deposit 6 lbs.
• Fluids 4 lbs.,
• Normal sized baby 7 lbs-8 lbs.
  

All these merge up together and the recommended overall weight gain of 25-30 lbs. is appreciated, which means there should be an increase in caloric need per day. This is where the nutritional plan during pregnancy is of utmost importance. When transformed into the nutritional requirement chart, the additional weight gain of 25-30 lbs. comes up with an consumption chart that suggests an additional intake of around 200-300 calories per 24 hours is necessary. The right way to approach a healthy eating habit during pregnancy is to follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide. In the year 2005 USDA amended the pyramid because to come up with better suggestions for Americans to be healthy. USDA's experts suggest that increase in caloric need during pregnancy shouldn't be made by consuming fatty foods, but by increasing the quantity and quality of fruits, veggies, dairy, grains, and foods containing protein. This way weight gain should be achieved in a gradual mode throughout the entire pregnancy period, which is desired rather than having a rapid and abrupt growth. Reviewing the nutritional plan during pregnancy doesn't mean consuming more than you can, but consuming the right kind of food. Right kind of food means the well balanced diet. Food is categorized into four distinctive categories:

• Protein - Protein is important during pregnancy for growth of organs like breasts and uterus. It also acts as the major building block of the fetal body. Major sources of protein are fish, lean meat, milk and beans.
• Fats - Fat is important for development of nervous system of the fetus and for certain vitamin absorption. But the overall fat consumption should be not more than 30% of the total calories. Saturated and hydrogenated oils should be excluded from your diet chart during pregnancy. Monounsaturated oils such as canola and olive oils are often recomended.
• Carbohydrate - Carbohydrate is the main energy source. Major sources of carbohydrates are milk, cereals, grains, cereals, veggies and fruits.
• Micronutrients - Pregnant and lactating women require essential micronutrients. The micronutrient list inclides components like Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Iron, Calcium and Zinc.
  

So construct a healthy future for your baby by taking the right kind of steps toady. This article is not a thumb rule for the nutritional review plan for pregnant women, but a healthy hints of dos and don'ts. Remember your medical adviser is the right person to guide you with right tips. So consult a doctor prior to taking any decision regarding your nutritional program during pregnancy. Happy motherhood ahead... Good Luck!