Home Fitness Equipment > Nutrition and Diet Corner > Pregnancy Nutrition

Pregnancy Nutrition

Click here to see our selection of Home Fitness Equipment.

The subspecialty of pregnancy nutrition is an especially important subset of the field of nutrition. Pregnancy nutrition covers proper nutrition for mothers before, during and after pregnancy.

According to pregnancy nutrition, the resources consumed as a fetus gestates make proper nutrition extremely important. The mother-to-be should eat well in order to build up one's immune system to support a child forming inside her, and is one of the major factors of having healthy babies. Pregnancy nutrition specialists emphasize ensuring that the mother does not have an eating disorder is important as well, and state that an expectant mother should have a minimum body mass index of 20.8. The maximum body mass index is 30, which is just short of obesity. Should a woman be obese, decreasing levels of sex hormones means lack of viability from the ovaries.

Vitamins D and B12 are key in pregnancy nutrition, while metals such as magnesium and zinc should also be consumed. Foods high in folic acids also help to produce healthy children. According to pregnancy nutrition specialists, these nutrients not only help to ensure good health in children, but also reduce the chances of infertility.

The early stages of pregnancy are also a key time to practice proper nutrition. Alcohol is strictly prohibited. If consumed, it may produced any number of birth defects, including mental retardation. Expectant mothers should also avoid tobacco.

What expecting women should take is folic acid, to avoid neural tube defection. Four milligrams per day is sufficient. Retinol, however, which is found in liver, should be avoided. A little extra protein is good, as is Thiamin and Riboflavin, along with Vitamins C and D.

Pregnancy nutrition specialists suggest that good nutrition is as important after pregnancy as before, especially if the woman plans on breastfeeding her child. A healthy diet of whole foods is key, as is cutting down on fats, particularly partially saturated or polyunsaturated fats. Avoid excess sugars as well. Another important point of pregnancy nutrition is to control the intake of foods. Since mothers have spent the past nine months feeding their unborn child, there is a strong likelihood of habitually overeating now the child has been born. Post-pregnancy women should only eat enough to maintain their current weight or lose weight. Always check with your doctor or physician before starting any nutrition or diet plan.