| Nutritional Needs |
Healthy Eating Tips:
You do not need any extra calories in the first trimester. Just fine-tune
your diet to ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need to
build a healthy baby. A well-balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruit,
vegetables, fish, lean meat and poultry, legumes and low-fat dairy products
is the foundation of a nutrient-dense diet for an expectant mother. A low-fat
maternal nutritional supplement may help fill the nutrient gaps in your
diet. Always eat clean and safe foods.
Vital Nutrients:
Protein is needed to build muscle and tissue and form the placenta.
Folic acid is critical for cell division and organ formation.
Iron helps make new red blood cells. Zinc assists with growth
and development.
Food Alerts:
Avoid alcoholic drinks, limit caffeine from coffee, tea, chocolates
and colas. Avoid very large fishes (e.g. shark, swordfish and
king mackerel) as they may contain more mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated
biphenyls). |
Healthy Eating Tips:
Increase food intake slightly to provide more energy and a balanced
intake of protein, carbohydrate and fat. Focus on foods that are nutrient-dense,
low in fat and sugar but great sources of vitamins and minerals. Include
fibre-rich foods and plenty of nourishing fluids to prevent constipation.
You may find that a well-designed maternal nutritional supplement may help
you achieve the nutrient goals with greater ease.
Ensure adequate intake of foods rich in iron, DHA and choline.
Iron-rich foods include lean meat, fish, poultry, legumes and green
leafy vegetables. Fatty fish, such as herring, mackerel, sardines
and salmon are good sources of DHA. Choline is found in eggs, beef,
chicken, turkey, salmon and baked beans.
Vital Nutrients:
All the B vitamins and vitamins A, C and D play a part in ensuring
the baby grows well. Your baby will draw calcium from your body
stores to build bones and teeth. So, get enough calcium from
dairy products or maternal nutritional supplements. Adequate
fibre, especially FOS, will ensure you have a healthy gut.
Iron supports the expansion of your blood volume and baby’s
brain growth, development of the nervous system and neurotransmitters.
Lack of iron during baby’s development can negatively impact
learning and behaviour. DHA helps to build baby’s brain and
eyes. Choline is involved in the development of hippocampus, which
is known to be the seat of memory in the brain.
Food Alerts:
If you or your husband has food allergies, avoid them. This may
prevent food allergy in your baby. Also, stay away from raw foods
and soft cheeses. |
Healthy Eating Tips:
A healthy well-balanced diet is the foundation for good health. You
will need to eat a little more and drink more fluids to meet your energy
and fluid needs. Once your precious little baby is born, breast milk is
the best food for your new born baby. Breast-feed your baby for the first
six months of life and then, continue to breast-feed partially for as long
as the baby and you want. Breast- feeding demands even more energy and
valuable nutrients from the mother’s diet than pregnancy. A maternal
nutritional supplement will help you achieve the nutrient goals with greater
ease.
Vital Nutrients:
Include foods rich in essential fatty acids – DHA and AA – and
choline to support brain growth spurt. DHA supports development of the
brain and retina. Choline and phospholipids maintain cell structure and
support the functioning of the cell membranes. Nucleotides are essential
for normal cell function and replication, which is important for overall
growth. |