Pregnancy - Don't Forget to Eat Healthy Foods to Give Your Baby a Good Start

You have probably heard the old saying that whenBasically, anything that is undercooked, or has the
you are pregnant you are eating for two, while thatpotential to build up bacteria or be contaminated is
doesn't mean that you should eat double portions ofdefinitely not a good idea.
cake and ice cream, it does mean that you should beDuring your pregnancy, and while breastfeeding, you
more cautious about what you eat. Everything thatshould consume or get at least 1,000 milligrams of
you eat crosses your placenta to your baby, which iscalcium each and every day. This usually isn't a
why it is so important to eat as many healthy foodsproblem for people who have no problems digesting
as possible. Folic acid is very important, particularlydairy products, but if it is difficult for you, talk to your
during early pregnancy, as well as all the vitamins anddoctor.
nutrients, as your baby will need them to grow strongYou probably don't like the idea, but it is important that
and thrive. The only way your baby has to get theseyou drink plenty of water during the day as well.
essentials is from you, namely through your diet, soDrinking water is essential for both you and your baby,
you have to take it seriously, and be moreand can also help prevent or lessen many common
conscientious of what you eat.pregnancy problems, such as, constipation, swelling of
Your OB will be able to tell you exactly how manythe hands, legs, and feet, bladder infections,
extra calories you need each day, but for most peopledehydration, and hemorrhoids. It isn't really all that
it is around 400. You shouldn't try to diet duringdifficult to drink more water, especially if you keep it on
pregnancy, and you won't even have to worry about ithand in the fridge at home and work. Just make a
if you exercise and make healthy food choices. If youconscious effort to reach for that bottle of water
are already significantly overweight, your OB may talkinstead of that soda or coffee, and soon you will do it
to you about the foods that you should be eating, andwithout even thinking about it, which will also be good
may advise you to eat fewer calories, but you shouldfor you after your pregnancy as well.
never decide this on your own.If you have health problems, such as diabetes, high
One of the keys to your diet in pregnancy is variety;blood pressure, or are on a special kind of diet, your
you should eat a combination of different foods,doctor may recommend alternatives to help ensure
including proteins, lean meat, plenty of vegetables andthat both you and your baby get the nutrition that you
fruits, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains. Even ifneed. It is important that you always follow the advice
you are taking prenatal vitamins, as you should be, youof your OB, regardless of what you read online, or
still need to eat a healthy diet with food from all of thehear from friends of relatives. Who are you going to
food groups each day.trust your health to, your doctor, or someone you have
There are some foods that you definitely should avoidnever before met?
during pregnancy, which your OB will tell you about.