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The Essential Facts Of A Healthy Pregnancy Diet

By Roger Noonan

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 05Nov2009
Word count: 534
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If you are pregnant, or planning on becoming pregnant, a healthy pregnancy diet is essential if you are serious about the health of your baby. A healthy pregnancy diet that is full of all the nutrients required ensures normal fetal growth and development, as well as maintaining hormonal balances and energy levels in the mother's body.

The general rule of thumb is that the mother's diet needs to increase by approximately 300 calories per day while pregnant to account for the extra demands on her body. During pregnancy the mother's body will increase in size by 40 - 60% but this is natural! It is evidence of a healthy growing fetus. However too much weight gain can be detrimental to both mother and baby, as can minimal weight gain, so it's important to eat properly and be monitored regularly by a physician.

A healthy pregnancy diet will generally consist of a balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fatty acids, all sourced from natural wholesome foods and complimented by prenatal vitamins that will be prescribed by the mother's physician. This diet, along with plenty of fluids and exercise, will ensure that the usual physical symptoms like constipation, heartburn and nausea associated with being pregnant, will be significantly reduced or even avoided altogether. Other symptoms associated with being pregnant such as mood swings and depression may also be reduced, and the mother will have more energy to go about her daily routine and will have more strength for the pending birth.

So if a healthy pregnancy diet recommends wholesome natural foods, then it stands to reason that foods such as fast foods, processed foods, sweets, junk food, soft drinks and food out of boxes are all to be avoided!. These foods are high in artificial preservatives, trans fats, sugars and chemicals, all which have the potential to slow down or harm the natural development of your baby. Also remember that when you are eating these "bad" foods, that they are of very little nutritional value, so even if there is no harmful chemical or fat in what you are eating, your baby is still starving for proper nutrients. For the baby, mortality and increased risk of pregnancy disorders are the main risks of poor pregnancy nutrition, as the baby is more susceptible to degenerative diseases and cognitive and neural disorders.

The importance of all the necessary elements cannot be over emphasised. Calcium is necessary for the healthy development of the teeth and bones. Proteins are the essential building blocks of life and are necessary for cell wall development and ultimately the healthy growth of tissues and organs. Vitamin C is necessary for the development of the baby's immune system, as well as teeth and bones. Vitamin D is required for proper tooth formation, insulin production, increased mineral absorption and fetal brain and organ development, while iron is necessary for haemoglobin production, as the mother needs to produce more blood as the fetus grows.

A healthy pregnancy diet has to be every mother's first priority once she decides that she wants to become pregnant, or realises that she is pregnant. A healthy pregnancy diet only takes none months, but can have life-lasting implications, both for mother and child.

As an expectant mum you need to know the facts of a healthy pregnancy diet. <= = click this link NOW! Also make sure you take a look at this fantastic article on foods to eat when pregnant.

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